Dehradun: In the Uttarakhand Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Pushkar Singh Dhami, 19 important proposals were approved. Several key decisions related to energy conservation, tourism, medical education, land consolidation, and panchayats were taken during the meeting.
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for energy conservation, the cabinet decided to promote fuel and energy saving across the state. Under this initiative, the number of vehicles used during the Chief Minister’s and ministers’ field visits will be reduced by half. In addition, one day every week will be observed as a “No Vehicle Day.”
The cabinet also approved a voluntary and partial land consolidation incentive policy for mountainous areas. Under this policy, 10 villages from each district will be selected and consolidation committees will be formed. A time limit of 120 days has been fixed for resolving objections.
The cabinet approved renaming the Aromatic Plant Centre as the “Perfumery and Aromatic Research and Development Institute.” It also approved the Review Officer and Assistant Review Officer Service Rules 2026 for the Revenue Council.
In the health sector, the cabinet decided that contractual appointments to address the shortage of faculty members in government medical colleges can now be approved at the secretary level. Approval was also given for restructuring the Directorate of Medical Education and for providing equal pay for equal work to 277 contractual and daily wage employees working at Government Medical College Srinagar.
Additionally, approval was granted for the creation of 16 posts, including that of Principal, for the operation of the Women’s Sports College in Lohaghat. Fifteen new posts will also be created in the Forensic Science Department.
A major decision was also taken regarding homestay operations in the tourism sector. Homestays with up to 8 rooms will now be permitted, and licenses will be automatically renewed once the online fee is deposited. Amendments to the Uttarakhand Tourism Travel Business Registration Rules were approved for this purpose.
Other important decisions include increasing the amount allocated for panchayat building construction from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, amending the Small Hydropower Project Policy, allowing external experts to be appointed as directors in energy corporations, and approving the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institution Recognition Rules 2026.
