Several significant decisions regarding state development, administrative reforms, and public interest were taken during the recent meeting of the Uttarakhand Cabinet. A brief overview of the key decisions is as follows:
Key Decisions:
• **Total Literacy:** The Cabinet approved declaring Uttarakhand a ‘fully literate state’ in accordance with the standards of the National Education Policy-2020.
• **Animal Husbandry and Agriculture:** An ‘Embryo Transfer Pilot Project’ was approved for the genetic improvement of cattle breeds. Additionally, it was decided that the state government would bear 20 percent of the insurance premium cost for horses and mules operating on the Char Dham Yatra routes.
• **Technology and Exports:** Posts were created to operate a state-of-the-art ‘Accelerator Mass Spectrometry’ machine at the Centre for Aromatic Plants, Selakui; this will boost the quality testing and export of herbal products.
• **Administrative Reforms:** Relaxations have been granted regarding the submission of reservation certificates for the dependents of statehood agitators. Furthermore, gratitude was expressed to the Central Government for providing financial assistance to clear pending bills under the State Health Scheme (Golden Card) and for reaching a consensus on the Kishau Dam project.
• **Rules and Policies:** Approvals were granted for new regulations for the Prison Department, amendments to the Sanskrit Education Regulations, and technical improvements to the Excise Policy. Directives were also issued regarding price adjustments for bituminous works.
To boost tourism, the Cabinet also approved the organization of the ‘International Himalayan Car Rally’ and sanctioned proposals regarding the salaries of UPNAL personnel, in compliance with High Court orders.
