Honorarium of Environmental Workers Across State Departments to Be Increased Soon: CM
Country Setting New Milestones in Development Alongside Cultural Heritage Under PM Narendra Modi’s Leadership
Dehradun, October 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a procession organised at the Dehradun Municipal Corporation on Monday to mark Maharishi Valmiki Prakatotsav (the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki).
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that the honorarium of Paryavaran Mitras (environmental sanitation workers) employed across various state government departments would be increased soon. He said a meeting to discuss the matter would be convened at the earliest.
Maharishi Valmiki’s Life Inspires Equality and Social Harmony
Paying tribute to Maharishi Valmiki on his birth anniversary, Dhami said the sage introduced the world to the life of Lord Shri Ram through his epic, the Ramayana.
Maharishi Valmiki’s life teaches us that good thoughts and deeds can make an individual a source of inspiration for others. His life also conveys that a person's true identity is determined by knowledge, actions and contribution to society, rather than other considerations.
The Chief Minister said Valmiki inspired the creation of a society in which there is no place for discrimination.
He added that the Ramayana conveys enduring human values such as truth, righteousness, sacrifice and duty. It teaches people to follow the path of righteousness while upholding love, equality, brotherhood and human dignity.
The epic also teaches that a person's identity should be defined by their thoughts, actions and dedication, rather than caste or social status. Sanatan culture has consistently emphasised respect for others and the promotion of love, harmony and social cohesion, he said.
Development Alongside Cultural Heritage
Dhami said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India was establishing new milestones in development while remaining connected to its cultural heritage.
He said the Prime Minister's leadership had created a renewed environment for reconnecting with India's roots, recognising its history and strengthening cultural awareness. The construction of the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya was one such example.
The Chief Minister noted that the inclusion of Maharishi Valmiki, Nishadraj and Mata Shabari within the Ram temple complex reflected the spirit of social harmony and India's cultural traditions.
He also pointed out that the international airport in Ayodhya had been named after Maharishi Valmiki.
Welfare Schemes for Weaker Sections
The Chief Minister said the government, under the Prime Minister's leadership, was continuously working to bring poor, deprived, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and other disadvantaged communities into the mainstream.
Schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission and free ration distribution had provided millions of families with opportunities for a better life.
He added that legal provisions to protect the rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and address atrocities against them had also been strengthened.
Dhami said several initiatives were being undertaken under the Prime Minister's leadership to improve the lives of deprived, exploited and disadvantaged sections of society. The Prime Minister's clear objective, he said, was to build a developed and strong nation by ensuring equal opportunities and dignity for everyone.
The Uttarakhand government was also continuously working for the welfare of every section of society under the Prime Minister's guidance, he added.
Educational and Housing Support in Uttarakhand
Dhami said Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students in Uttarakhand were being provided scholarships from Classes 1 to 12.
The state also operates 15 free hostels, five residential schools and three Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for these students. Free coaching facilities have been arranged to help young people prepare for competitive examinations and advance in education and employment.
The Chief Minister said the government had restarted the Atal Awas Yojana, under which housing assistance of ₹1.20 lakh was being provided to homeless families belonging to Scheduled Castes and other designated Scheduled categories to construct houses.
To promote social harmony, an incentive of ₹50,000 is also provided for inter-caste marriages involving a Scheduled Caste man or woman. Financial assistance of ₹50,000 is additionally provided for the marriages of daughters from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families.
He said the government's clear objective was to ensure that no section of society was left behind in the journey of development.
Building a Developed Uttarakhand
Dhami described Uttarakhand as Devbhoomi, a land enriched by the spiritual practices of sages, the faith associated with sacred places and ancient traditions.
The state government's aim is to strengthen cultural heritage alongside development, pass ancient traditions on to the younger generation and ensure equal opportunities for every section of society to progress, he said.
Expressing confidence, the Chief Minister said that by drawing inspiration from Maharishi Valmiki's ideals, the vision of building a developed Uttarakhand would certainly be realised.
Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Chairman Bhagwat Prasad Makwana, Metropolitan BJP President Siddharth Agrawal, Shyam Agrawal, Ashok Verma, Municipal Commissioner Alok Pandey and others were present at the event.
