Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that his government’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and exam malpractice is reshaping the state’s administrative culture and restoring faith among the youth. Citing a series of strong measures and legal reforms, Dhami described the changes as a step toward making Uttarakhand a merit-based and corruption-free state.Speaking about the government’s crackdown on exam fraud, Dhami said the implementation of a tough anti-cheating law has brought fairness and transparency to recruitment processes, especially benefiting deserving candidates from poor and middle-class families.“In the past, exam papers were routinely leaked, pen drives were used for mass cheating, and well-prepared candidates—often from poor families—would lose out to those backed by cheating mafias,” said Dhami. “Now we’ve sent more than 100 members of the cheating mafia behind bars.”
The chief minister noted that more than 23,000 government job recruitments have been completed in the last three and a half years without a single case of paper leaks or cheating—a sharp contrast to the 16,000 recruitments made from 2000 to 2021.The state’s anti-cheating legislation includes life imprisonment for organised cheating and property confiscation of those found guilty. Dhami said the law was crafted after studying models from other states and has since become a reference point for others.“We studied laws from different states and brought in a law that includes the strictest possible punishment. This model is now being studied by other states,” Dhami said.Beyond examination reforms, the chief minister outlined a broader campaign to root out corruption from the state’s bureaucracy and public systems. “We created multiple platforms for citizens to report corruption, including helplines and a dedicated mobile app. As a result, nearly 200 individuals have been trapped and sent to jail,” he said.Responding to public concerns that high-ranking officials often escape scrutiny, Dhami made it clear that accountability applies to all.“Earlier people used to say only small fish get caught. Now, even big crocodiles are being caught. It doesn’t matter whether someone is from IAS, PCS, or IFS—if they are corrupt, they will face action,” he asserted.He also cited a recent incident in Chamoli district, where a bridge under construction collapsed before completion. Dhami said he ordered the immediate suspension of three engineers and directed officials to recover the cost of damages from the contractor.He emphasised that the aim is not to target individuals, but to institutionalise transparency and accountability in governance. “We want to build a culture of good governance, where officials are afraid to engage in malpractice, and citizens feel empowered to speak up,” he said.Framing these reforms as part of a larger mission, Dhami reiterated his commitment to make Uttarakhand a corruption-free and opportunity-rich state for the youth. “Our fight is not just against individuals, but against a broken culture. We are committed to building a system where merit, not money or muscle, decides your future.”
