Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves 13 Key Decisions; Major Boost to Animal Husbandry, Char Dham Yatra, Tourism, Education and Healthcare
Dehradun: In a Cabinet meeting chaired by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on Thursday, the state government approved 13 significant proposals aimed at strengthening animal husbandry, tourism, education, healthcare, infrastructure, prison administration and welfare measures. The Cabinet also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for facilitating consensus among states on the long-pending Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project.
1. Pilot Project for Breed Improvement Through Embryo Transfer
The Cabinet approved a pilot project to improve cattle breeds and enhance milk production through embryo transfer technology. The initiative aims to rapidly produce high-genetic-quality indigenous cattle, thereby strengthening the dairy sector and increasing productivity.
2. State to Bear 20% Insurance Premium for Pack Animals Used in Char Dham Yatra
Providing major relief to horse and mule owners operating on the Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage routes, the state government approved bearing 20 percent of the insurance premium for registered equine animals. The remaining 80 percent will be paid by animal owners.
Approximately 15,000 registered horses and mules are expected to be covered during the 2026 pilgrimage season. Based on an estimated value of ₹70,000 per animal and a 5 percent insurance rate, the total premium amounts to ₹5.25 crore, of which the state government will contribute ₹1.05 crore.
3. Relief for Statehood Movement Activists in Recruitment Examinations
The Cabinet approved a one-time relaxation allowing candidates claiming the 10 percent horizontal reservation available to identified Uttarakhand statehood movement activists and their dependents to submit reservation certificates during document verification for three recruitment examinations conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC).
4. Price Adjustment Approved for Bituminous Road Works
Considering the sharp increase in bitumen prices due to rising crude oil costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Cabinet approved price adjustment provisions for bituminous works under Public Works Department contracts.
The adjustment will apply to contracts executed before April 1, 2026, where work remains pending and contract validity still exists. The relief will be applicable from May 1 to June 30, 2026.
5. Amendments Approved in the Three-Year Excise Policy
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Excise Policy for 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28. The changes include incorporating cess into VAT calculations under the VAT Act, 2005, and removing duplicate hologram fee provisions to avoid overlap in taxation and fee structures.
6. Five Specialist Posts Approved for AMS Laboratory at Selaqui
To strengthen quality verification of aromatic oils, herbal extracts and pharmaceutical products, the Cabinet approved the creation of five specialist posts for operating the advanced Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Machine at the Aroma Plant Centre in Selaqui.
The facility will help detect adulteration and scientifically establish the authenticity of natural products, thereby boosting domestic and international exports.
7. Approval for Organizing International Himalayan Car Rally
To enhance Uttarakhand’s position as a global tourism destination, the Cabinet approved the selection of an experienced agency through a single-source process for organizing the International Himalayan Car Rally.
The event aims to attract over 120 participants, including 25 international competitors, 25 Asia Cross Country Rally participants, 20 classic car rally entrants and 50 competitors from the Indian National Rally Championship.
8. Revised Cut-Off Date for Equal Pay to Upnal Personnel
In compliance with orders of the Uttarakhand High Court and the Supreme Court of India, the Cabinet approved revising the eligibility cut-off date for extending “equal pay for equal work” benefits to personnel engaged through UPNL.
The earlier cut-off date of November 12, 2018, has been replaced with October 15, 2024, in line with the Supreme Court’s directive.
9. Approval to Uttarakhand Prison (Amendment) Rules, 2026
The Cabinet approved the promulgation of the Uttarakhand Prison (Amendment) Rules, 2026, in compliance with a Supreme Court order.
The amendment revises provisions relating to habitual offenders and updates prison regulations in accordance with judicial directives.
10. Approval to Uttarakhand Jailor Subordinate (Gazetted) Service Rules, 2026
The Cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Jailor Subordinate (Gazetted) Service Rules, 2026, to streamline appointments and promotions within the prison administration system.
The new rules will govern 14 sanctioned Jailor posts currently filled through promotions from Deputy Jailor positions.
11. Amendments to Sanskrit Education Regulations
The Cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Education (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, aimed at strengthening the functioning of Sanskrit educational institutions, including recognition, curriculum development and examination management.
12. Uttarakhand to be Declared a Fully Literate State
In line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Cabinet approved a proposal to declare Uttarakhand a “Fully Literate State” based on prescribed literacy benchmarks.
The move reflects the state’s commitment to improving educational outcomes and achieving universal literacy.
13. Financial Assistance for Clearing Pending Golden Card Hospital Bills
The Cabinet approved financial assistance to the Health Department for clearing long-pending dues of hospitals empanelled under the State Government Health Scheme (Golden Card).
The decision is expected to improve healthcare service delivery and ensure smoother implementation of the scheme for beneficiaries.
Cabinet Expresses Gratitude for Progress on Kishau Dam Project
The Cabinet also recorded its appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for helping build consensus among stakeholder states on the long-pending Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project.
The project is expected to play a significant role in hydropower generation, irrigation development and drinking water supply in the region.
The Cabinet decisions collectively aim to accelerate Uttarakhand’s growth across key sectors including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, education, healthcare and governance, while also improving welfare measures for citizens and stakeholders.
