Monday, 05 July 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Pushkar Singh Dhami was sworn in as the eleventh and youngest chief minister of Uttarakhand along with his cabinet ministers at the Raj Bhawan on Sunday evening. The new chief minister has not changed anyone in the cabinet of his predecessor Tirath Singh Rawat though he has made all cabinet ministers whereas three were state ministers in the previous cabinet.
After governor Baby Rani Maurya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dhami, cabinet ministers Satpal Maharaaz, Harak Singh Rawat, Subodh Uniyal, Banshidhar Bhagat, Arvind Pandey, Yashpal Arya, Bishan Singh Chufal, Dhan Singh Rawat, Rekha Arya, Ganesh Joshi and Yatishwaranand were sworn in. Dhan Singh Rawat, Rekhya Arya and Yatishwaranand were elevated to the status of cabinet ministers from their position as state ministers in the previous cabinet.
Talking to the media after being sworn in, Dhami said that his government will work to fill the backlogs of appointments in government departments and facilitate employment for the youths. Stating that the government will reach the doorsteps of the citizens, he said that steps will also be taken to address the economic impact of Covid-19 being faced by the people. “Our basic mantra is that the government will function as a partner of the citizens. I was born in the border area of Pithoragarh and studied till class V there before relocating to Khatima along the Indo-Nepal border. I am familiar with all areas of the state,” said Dhami.
On being asked about some party leaders reportedly being disappointed with him being chosen as the chief minister, he said that there was no such discontent in the party. “The party has given me a responsibility to fulfill which I will take my seniors along with me respectfully and the juniors with affection. Our government will have a special focus on the youths,” said the chief minister.
Earlier, before being sworn in, Dhami met former chief ministers Tirath Singh Rawat, Trivendra Singh Rawat and Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri while also visiting the residence of Satpal Maharaaz. There was talk of Maharaaz, Harak Singh Rawat and some other leaders being miffed at the choice for the post of CM. After meetings and deliberations which lasted many hours, the party leaders rejected talk of discontent in the party.
