Dehradun: Over the past five years, the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government has used political stability to push through several long-pending reforms, ranging from the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to stricter anti-copying laws, governance digitization, infrastructure expansion, and welfare initiatives.

With uninterrupted administrative continuity, the state government says it has been able to accelerate policy implementation, improve transparency, and strengthen public service delivery while focusing on Uttarakhand’s long-term economic and social development.

Uttarakhand becomes the first state to implement Uniform Civil Code

One of the most significant milestones during the Dhami government’s tenure was the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which came into force on January 27, 2025.

With this, Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to introduce a common civil law governing matters such as marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships.

The government says the UCC replaces religion-based personal civil laws in these areas with a uniform legal framework aimed at ensuring gender justice and legal equality. The legislation also addresses practices such as child marriage, polygamy, triple talaq, halala, and iddat.

Members of the drafting committee have described the law as a step towards modernizing India’s civil legal framework through a common code applicable to all citizens.

Uttarakhand introduces one of India’s toughest anti-copying laws

Following multiple recruitment examination paper leak cases, the Uttarakhand government enacted the Uttarakhand Public Examinations (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2023, widely regarded by the government as one of India’s toughest anti-copying laws.

The legislation prescribes life imprisonment and fines of up to ₹10 crore for organized cheating rackets involving coaching centers, printing presses, and service providers.

Candidates caught using unfair means may also face imprisonment, financial penalties, and a ban of up to 10 years from appearing in competitive examinations.

According to the government, the law aims to restore public confidence in recruitment processes by ensuring merit-based selections.

New laws target riots, illegal conversions, and public property damage

Strengthening law and order has remained another major focus of the Dhami administration.

The Uttarakhand Public (Government) and Recovery of Damage to Private Property Ordinance, 2024, empowers authorities to recover the cost of damage caused to government and private property during riots, protests, strikes, and bandhs from those held responsible.

The ordinance also allows recovery of expenses incurred by police and other agencies during such incidents and provides penalties of up to ₹8 lakh. A dedicated claims tribunal headed by an additional district magistrate has been approved to decide compensation claims.

The government says the legislation is intended to discourage vandalism, protect public assets, and improve accountability.

The state also amended its anti-conversion law in August 2024, expanding its scope to include social media platforms, messaging applications, and other digital platforms, the first such provision introduced by any Indian state.

The amendments increased the maximum punishment for illegal religious conversions from 10 years to up to 14 years, with provisions extending to 20 years or life imprisonment in certain cases.

District magistrates were empowered to arrest accused persons without a warrant and seize properties allegedly linked to illegal religious conversion offenses. The definition of inducement was also expanded to include promises of money, jobs, gifts, free education, marriage, and a better lifestyle.

According to the government, the amendments are aimed at preventing conversions through fraud, coercion, or allurement while protecting religious freedom.

Crackdown on illegal encroachments and digital governance

The government has also intensified its drive against illegal encroachments on government and forest land.

Officials say the campaign has resulted in the removal of hundreds of unauthorized structures and the recovery of thousands of acres of encroached land. District administrations have also been directed to closely monitor land transactions and verify new settlers to prevent unlawful transfers.

The administration says the exercise is intended to improve land governance, protect environmentally sensitive regions, and maintain transparent land records.

Technology has increasingly become central to governance reforms as well. The wider adoption of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), digital verification, and technology-enabled monitoring has helped improve the delivery of welfare schemes.

Recently, the Uttarakhand Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board transferred nearly ₹11 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 4,400 beneficiaries through DBT under schemes covering maternity assistance, education support, marriage assistance and death benefits.

Over the past year, the board has distributed more than ₹93 crore among over 24,000 registered workers, according to the government.

Women’s empowerment through the Lakhpati Didi initiative

Women’s economic empowerment has emerged as another key priority.

Under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, women self-help groups are being provided interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to support income-generating activities.

The government says one lakh women have already crossed the programme’s income benchmark.

Additionally, 33% reservation for women in cooperative societies has been introduced to strengthen their participation in grassroots institutions.

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway and Vande Bharat improve connectivity

Infrastructure development has continued alongside governance reforms.

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is nearing completion, with the 12-kilometer elevated corridor between Ganeshpur and Asharodi and the 340-metre tunnel near Datkali Temple already completed.

Once operational, the expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun to around 2.5 hours.

The state has also received two Vande Bharat Express trains, further improving rail connectivity with major cities.

The government says continued investments in highways, railways, air connectivity, border infrastructure, tourism and industrial development are expected to generate employment and strengthen Uttarakhand’s economy.

Ayushman scheme expands healthcare coverage

Healthcare has remained another major focus area during the government’s tenure.

Under the Atal Ayushman Yojana, more than 59.74 lakh Ayushman cards had been issued by the end of April 2025, while over 15 lakh beneficiaries had received cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.

The scheme provides eligible families with health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually, helping reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The government has also expanded healthcare infrastructure, particularly in remote hill and border districts, to improve access to specialized medical services.

Five years of policy continuity

The Uttarakhand government says five years of uninterrupted governance have enabled it to pursue reforms that were pending for years while simultaneously expanding infrastructure, welfare programs, and digital governance.

From becoming the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code to introducing stricter recruitment laws, expanding women’s welfare, improving connectivity and strengthening healthcare coverage, the administration argues that policy continuity has helped accelerate governance reforms and lay the foundation for Uttarakhand’s long-term development.