Uttarakhand Cabinet Declares State Fully Literate, Approves 12 Proposals

Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves 12 Proposals, Declares State Fully Literate

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, convened on Thursday and approved a total of 12 proposals. The meeting began with a tribute to former Chief Minister Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri and Padma Shri awardee shooter Jaspal Rana, who recently passed away. Cabinet members observed two minutes of silence to honor their contributions.

Among the key decisions, the state was declared fully literate, with the government citing a literacy rate exceeding 98 percent. This milestone marks a significant achievement for Uttarakhand.

The Cabinet also approved the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Education Amendment Rules-2026, which will bring changes to the recognition, curriculum, and examination systems of Sanskrit schools in the state.

In a major relief for Upnal employees, the cutoff date for implementing "equal pay for equal work" was extended from November 12, 2018, to August 15, 2024, potentially benefiting a larger number of workers.

Other significant decisions included measures to regulate the rising cost of bitumen due to the Middle East conflict, amendments to the excise department's tax structure to ensure no double taxation on holograms, and the approval of a pilot project in the animal husbandry sector to enhance milk production using embryo transfer technology.

The Cabinet also approved the organization of the International Himalayan Car Rally, which will be managed by a Madras-based entity and is expected to feature 50 international cars. Additionally, the government sanctioned the development of adulteration testing facilities at the Selakui Aroma Center to promote the export of aromatic and herbal products. Five new positions were approved for this purpose.

In the tourism sector, the government announced a 5 percent insurance subsidy for horses and mules used in the Char Dham Yatra. Meanwhile, amendments to the Uttarakhand Jail Rules and the Subordinate Services Selection Commission's recruitment processes were also approved, providing relief to state movement activists and their dependents facing delays in document verification.

The Cabinet further discussed potential proposals in areas such as river rafting and kayaking regulations, energy, urban development, housing, and drinking water.

Chief Minister Dhami praised the contributions of Major General Khanduri to governance and public service, as well as Jaspal Rana's achievements in bringing national and international recognition to the state through sports. Both leaders were remembered for their lasting legacies.