On March 10, a large protest was organized by the Uttarakhand Congress outside the state assembly in Gairsain, demanding a discussion on critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and law and order. The protest, which involved thousands of participants, faced significant police resistance with barricades erected in Bhararisain to manage the crowd. Despite these challenges, many protesters, including party members, attempted to overcome the obstacles placed by law enforcement.
Opposition Demands Attention to Legislative Issues
Yashpal Arya, the Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly, expressed hope for a constructive session in the assembly, urging the Speaker to prioritize pressing matters relevant to the state. Arya emphasized the Congress Legislature Party’s commitment to facilitating smooth and orderly legislative proceedings. With a Question Hour scheduled, he reiterated the necessity for major issues affecting citizens to be addressed during the session.
State Budget Presentation Sparks Protests
The protests occurred shortly after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the state budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, amounting to Rs 1.11 lakh crore. During the budget presentation, CM Dhami unveiled the GYAN model, which focuses on four central themes for development: the welfare of the poor, youth empowerment, support for farmers, and women’s empowerment. The Chief Minister outlined the government’s commitment to integrating all societal segments into the development framework to create a prosperous and self-reliant Uttarakhand.
Budget Allocations for Welfare Schemes
As part of the budget, substantial allocations were made for various welfare initiatives aimed at elevating the living standards of underprivileged communities. The provisions include Rs 1,300 crore for the Annapurti Scheme, Rs 298.35 crore for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in rural areas, and Rs 56.12 crore for the urban counterpart. Furthermore, the government made significant financial commitments to enhance employment opportunities for the youth, allocating Rs 60 crore for the Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme, Rs 10 crore for Migration Prevention Scheme, and Rs 62.29 crore for the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Rural Skill Development Scheme.