Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 11 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday appealed to industry leaders to actively contribute to the state’s development while addressing the Uttarakhand CSR Dialogue held at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan in the Chief Minister’s Camp Office.
Welcoming representatives from the corporate sector, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), CSR partners, industries and social organisations, the Chief Minister said that Hindu scriptures attach special significance to charitable contributions made in pilgrimage destinations. He added that CSR investments made in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, therefore, hold even greater value.
While one may not be born in Uttarakhand by choice, he said, everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the state’s development through meaningful work, and urged companies to utilise that opportunity. He also appealed to corporate groups operating in Uttarakhand to prioritise spending their CSR funds within the state.
Dhami said the event was not merely a formal gathering but a collective commitment to bringing positive change to the lives of people living in the remotest parts of Uttarakhand. He noted that Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with several reputed companies in key sectors such as skill development, road safety, women’s empowerment, rural development and education. Several leading corporate groups also announced new CSR projects for the state.
Highlighting Uttarakhand’s unique geographical and ecological challenges, the Chief Minister said the Himalayan state requires greater resources and effort to achieve sustainable development. He emphasised that development should not be limited to building roads and infrastructure, but should also focus on employment generation, social welfare and environmental conservation. Stressing the need to protect forests and rivers while creating job opportunities for local youth, he said the corporate sector’s expertise, institutional strength, modern management practices and commitment to social welfare could play a significant role in achieving these goals.
Dhami said the state government has been consistently working to transform Uttarakhand into a major industrial destination. Referring to the Global Investors Summit 2023, he said the state had received investment proposals worth more than ₹3.56 lakh crore, of which projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore have already been grounded. He added that the government has simplified licensing procedures through a single-window system and introduced more than 30 industry-friendly policies, including Industrial, Logistics, Startup and MSME policies, to create a safe and business-friendly ecosystem.
The Chief Minister further said that the government has established incubation centres and created a ₹200 crore venture fund to promote startups in the state. Owing to these initiatives, Uttarakhand has secured the top position in NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index. The state has also been recognised as an “Achiever” in the Ease of Doing Business rankings and as a “Leader” in the national Startup Rankings.
Emphasising the importance of transparent governance, Dhami said no state can create a healthy industrial environment without ensuring transparency in administration. He said the Uttarakhand government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and has taken strict action against more than 200 corrupt officials and employees in recent years. As a result, entrepreneurs now face fewer hurdles in obtaining project approvals, land allotments, industrial licences and other business-related clearances.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to making Uttarakhand one of India’s most investment-friendly states, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the combination of corporate efficiency and the state’s transparent policies would help build a sustainable economy that could serve as a model for the rest of the country. (ANI)
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