Thursday, 01 February 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections, the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has given a message of women empowerment by appointing senior IAS officer Radha Raturi as the first woman chief secretary (CS) of the State.
Interestingly, this decision of CM also coincides with his assertion on implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the State. The UCC also endeavours to provide more rights to the women.
The CM appears to be moving ahead on the ‘ Sashakt Nari Sashakt Bharat’ vision given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has also tried to give a message of women empowerment and honour by participating in Matri Shakti Vandan Mahotsavs organized in seven different districts of the State. Dhami’s focus on wooing the women voters- who have believed to play a major role in bringing the BJP back in the power for second consecutive term in Uttarakhand- can be understood in the decision of the State government to provide 30 per cent reservation to the women of the State in the government jobs. The State government has also made it clear that the security, safety and honour of the women will be given top priority in the UCC.
The expert committee headed by Justice (retd) Ranjana Prasad Desai will submit its report to the CM Dhami on Friday. Based on this report the State government will prepare the draft of the UCC bill. This bill will be tabled in the assembly on February 6. After the passage of the bill the State government faces the onerous task of implementing the UCC effectively in the State. In such a situation the role of CS Raturi will be crucial as head of the administration in the State.
It is pertinent to mention here women officers are holding key responsibilities in many districts and in seven districts they are either holding the position of district magistrate (DM) or Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). These districts are Dehradun, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Nainital and Bageshwar.
