Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami Calls for Tailored Policies for Himalayan States at NITI Aayog Meeting

During the NITI Aayog meeting, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami urged for specific policies for Himalayan states and advocated for hydropower projects approval flexibility, capital subsidies for small hydropower projects, and financial support for water conservation initiatives. The meeting was chaired by PM Modi.

In a notable push for the Himalayan region, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called for the creation of specific policies catering to the unique needs of the Himalayan states during the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. A statement from the CM's office highlighted his request for states to have the autonomy to approve and implement hydropower projects with capacities below 25 MW to address energy shortages.

Chief Minister Dhami further advocated for the implementation of a 24 percent capital subsidy for constructing small hydropower projects in both Himalayan and North-Eastern states. The 9th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre today.

Dhami emphasized the critical drinking water crisis affecting many urban areas, stressing the need for enhanced water conservation and groundwater level improvement. He mentioned the formation of the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority in Uttarakhand, aimed at water conservation, reviving water sources, and linking snow-based rivers with rain-based ones. Dhami sought special financial and technical assistance from the Central Government for these initiatives. Additionally, he underscored the importance of addressing global warming and climate change, stating that the Uttarakhand government is ensuring that development projects are aligned with ecological and economic needs. He noted that the state has begun issuing Gross Environmental Product (GEP) metrics alongside GDP measurements. Dhami also reminded the council of previous proposals for the Himalayan region presented in last year's NITI Aayog meeting, urging for dedicated policies based on those recommendations.