Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves Major Decisions in Key Meeting
The Uttarakhand Cabinet met on Thursday and approved several important decisions. These decisions cover a wide range of areas from employee benefits to tourism regulations.
Equal Pay for UPNL Personnel
The Cabinet approved equal pay for equal work benefits for UPNL-sponsored personnel. This benefit applies to those who have completed ten years of continuous service. The decision comes in the first phase of implementation.
Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli explained the move. He said the Cabinet considered a High Court order from November 2018. The order was in a public interest litigation case. The Cabinet also reviewed recommendations from a sub-committee formed in December 2025.
Considering the state's financial position, the Cabinet decided to provide these benefits in phases. UPNL personnel working through UPNL will receive equal pay for equal work. Salary-related benefits will start with personnel who have ten years of service.
Amendments to Uniform Civil Code
The Cabinet approved necessary amendments to the original Uniform Civil Code. These changes will come through an ordinance. The amendments are based on recommendations from a panel constituted for the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand for 2024.
The goal is to resolve practical difficulties and clerical errors. These issues arose during the implementation of certain provisions in the original code.
New Tourism and Home Stay Rules
The Cabinet decided to promulgate the Uttarakhand Tourism, Travel Business, Home Stay and Bed & Breakfast Registration Rules for 2026. Under these new rules, only permanent residents of the state can avail benefits of the home stay scheme.
This move aims to simplify the regulatory framework. Currently, multiple rules govern tourism activities in Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand Tourism and Travel Business Registration Rules of 2014 and Amendment Rules of 2016 are already in effect. Separate Guest Uttarakhand Home Stay Registration Rules from 2015 also exist.
The approval seeks to resolve this situation. It will provide self-reliant self-employment at non-commercial rates in rural areas. It will also create employment and business opportunities for persons other than locals.
Pilot Project for Mule Dung Fuel
The Cabinet approved a pilot project to convert mule dung into environment-friendly fuel pellets. This project will take place at Shri Kedarnath Dham.
A senior IAS officer provided details. He said large numbers of mules operate at the Dham. Devotees use them for darshan and goods transportation. The dung produced by these mules on the way is harmful.
The pilot project will run for one year. It will produce biomass pellets by mixing dung and pine leaves in a fifty-fifty ratio. These pellets will serve as an eco-friendly fuel.
Support for Sugar Mills
The Cabinet approved providing government guarantees to cooperative and public sector sugar mills. These guarantees will help the mills obtain loans from banks for the crushing season of 2025-26.
The state will provide a total guarantee of Rs 270.2 crore. This support will benefit sugar mills at Doiwala, Kichha, Nadehi, and Bajpur.
Additionally, the Cabinet fixed the State Advised Price for sugarcane. For the 2025-26 crushing season, early varieties will get Rs 405 per quintal. General varieties will receive Rs 395 per quintal at the mill gate.
The Cabinet also set deductions for transportation from external purchase centres to mills. This deduction is fixed at Rs 11 per quintal for the current season. The sugarcane development contribution rate remains at Rs 5.50 per quintal, as in the previous season.
Other Key Decisions
The Cabinet made several other important decisions:
- Changed the name from Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy to Uttarakhand Sanskrit Sansthanam. This change aims to better reflect the institution's role in promoting Sanskrit.
- Approved the creation of twelve posts for the Sub-Regional Science Centre in Almora and the Science Centre in Champawat. These posts will fall under Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology.
- Decided to provide an additional twenty-five percent state subsidy on the Anti-Hail Net scheme. This subsidy is in addition to the fifty percent subsidy from the Government of India under the Horticulture Mission scheme.
- Approved the creation of six posts in the Centre of Hindu Studies at Doon University in Dehradun.
- Approved the creation of one hundred forty-four posts for sixteen special courts. These courts will be in Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar districts. They aim to ensure speedy disposal of cases based on recommendations from a high-level panel.
- Decided to provide championship trophies and incentive amounts under the Khel Mahakumbh scheme. At the assembly level, an MLA Championship Trophy and Rs 1 lakh incentive. At the parliamentary constituency level, an MP Championship Trophy and Rs 2 lakh incentive. At the state level, a Chief Minister Championship Trophy with Rs 5 lakh prize money.
These decisions reflect the Uttarakhand Cabinet's focus on employee welfare, tourism development, environmental sustainability, and agricultural support. The meeting addressed multiple sectors to benefit the state and its residents.
