To stop forced conversion in the state, the government has made the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act more stringent. In this, along with increasing the fine amount, the punishment period has been increased to life imprisonment. Apart from this, it has been decided to give 10 percent horizontal reservation in uniform posts in direct recruitment of Group C to Agniveers who are retiring from the army. By 2026, 850 Agniveers returning from the army will get jobs through reservation.
26 proposals were approved in the cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the Secretariat on Wednesday. The cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Amendment Bill to stop forced religious conversion. This bill will be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session. The Act has been amended and strict provision has been made for punishment and fine. The punishment period for forced conversion has been increased from 14 years to life imprisonment. The fine amount has also been increased from 50 thousand to 10 lakhs. Along with this, the property acquired from religious conversion activities will be confiscated. The temptation of religious conversion through digital medium and conversion in disguise has been brought under the purview of law. A provision has been made to impose a fine of up to 10 lakhs on receiving funds from foreign institutions for religious conversion activities.
The cabinet has approved 10 percent horizontal reservation for uniform posts in direct recruitment of Group C to Agniveers who have retired from the army. Agniveers will get the benefit of reservation for jobs in the posts of Police Constable (Civil and PAC), Sub Inspector, Civil Police, Platoon Commander PAC, Fireman, Fireman, Fire Officer II, Prisoner, Deputy Jailor, Forest Guard, Forest Inspector, Excise Constable, Enforcement Constable, Secretariat Guard. There will be no physical efficiency test in direct recruitment of retired Agniveers. Along with this, there will be relaxation in the maximum age limit in direct recruitment equal to the total service given in the army.
Land will also be available for service sector in government industrial areas
A total of 30 government industrial areas of the Industries Department are established in various districts of the state. At present, there is a provision to give land or plot to the manufacturing industry in these industrial areas as well. The government has decided to give five percent of the total area of the industrial area to the service sector. With this, land will be given to set up biotechnology, IT, automobile service centers, EV charging stations, hotels, restaurants, entrepreneurship and skill development training centers.
Committee formed for appointment of outsourced employees
The Personnel Department has banned the appointment of employees on contract and outsource in various departments. In the service manual of 25 April 2025, a provision was made to fill the vacant posts in the departments through the selection process. This is causing problems in the functioning of the departments. To resolve this, the Cabinet has approved the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
Compensation on the circle rate of Nainbagh in Lakhwar project
The people from whom land has been acquired for the Lakhwar Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project will be given land compensation on the basis of the circle rate of Nainbagh.
Restructuring of the structure of Project Development and Construction Corporation
The structure of Uttarakhand Project Development and Construction Corporation has been restructured. In this, 91 posts of deputation and four posts of cadre category have been created.
These decisions were also taken in the cabinet
– Formation of Uttarakhand Cooperative Institutional Services Board for the service and cadre of the employees of the Cooperative Department.
– Approval of Uttarakhand Higher Judicial Service (Amendment), Rules 2025.
– Decision to table the annual report of Uttarakhand Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in the Legislative Assembly.
– The annual financial report of 2021-22 of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
– Approval to table the annual accounts statement of the financial year 2023-24 of Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission on the Legislative Assembly table.
– Approval to table the annual report of the financial year 2023-24 of Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission on the Legislative Assembly table.
– The regulations notified by the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission Act will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly. – Approval to table the annual report of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited for the financial year 2023-24 in the assembly.
– SGST of Rs 22.73 crore will not be taken on the project cost of construction work of NH from the expansion of Pantnagar Airport.
– Approval to Uttarakhand Animal Husbandry Department Statistical Service Rules 2025.
– Approval to Uttarakhand Finance Service (Amendment) Rules 2025.
– Approval to Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2025.
– Decision to constitute a single-member dedicated commission under the chairmanship of retired judge BS Verma of Uttarakhand High Court as before for Other Backward Classes survey work in municipal bodies.
– Approval to create an additional post of vice-chairman in Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee.
– Approval to amend the Regional Development Service Rules 2011 under Rural Development Department.
– Approval to table the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill in the assembly.
