Uttarakhand CM launches Chaupal 2026, announces marketing centre

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday inaugurated Chaupal 2026 under the Chief Minister's Udyamshala Yojana at Mukhya Sevak Sadan in Dehradun. He announced a state-level marketing centre at 13 Gaon in IT Park, Dehradun, to help Self-Help Groups sell their products. The Times of India and Times Now report that over 13,000 entrepreneurs have been supported through the scheme so far, with more than 8,000 women entrepreneurs and SHG members connected to livelihood opportunities.

Dhami said more than 5 lakh rural women are linked with over 70,000 SHGs under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, and over 3 lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis. He added that an umbrella brand, House of Himalayas, has been created to take local products to major cities. The CM stated that promoting rural entrepreneurship aims to check migration from the hills. The government is also working through the Gramothan Project (REAP) to connect extremely poor families with livelihood opportunities. Chaupals are being organised across all 13 districts to spread awareness of the scheme.