Champawat: The Uttarakhand Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, approved 24 major proposals at its meeting held on Sunday at the NHPC complex in Banbasa, Champawat.
The decisions cover a wide range of issues, including land rights, government recruitment, forest land transfer, fiscal management, infrastructure, higher education, healthcare and administrative reforms.
Among the key decisions, the Cabinet approved the creation of a Project Management Unit (PMU) to expedite forest land transfer cases, granted transferable landholding rights to certain leaseholders in Lalkuan and extended the regularisation period for Class-4 land in Jaunsar-Bawar.
Pantnagar Airport Expansion Gets Financial Clearance
The Cabinet approved the release of the remaining ₹66.2916 crore to the Uttarakhand Seeds and Terai Development Corporation Limited for the expansion of the Greenfield Airport at Pantnagar.
The move is expected to support the state’s aviation infrastructure and improve regional connectivity.
PAN Verification Made Mandatory in Property Transactions
To curb the use of incorrect or fraudulent PAN details in property transactions, the government approved a PAN verification mechanism under the Stamp and Registration Department.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management framework, fixing the annual fiscal deficit limit at 3% of GSDP and the maximum cumulative debt limit at 30% for the 2026-31 period.
Interview Scrapped for Selected Group ‘C’ Posts
In a significant recruitment-related decision, the Cabinet approved the removal of the interview process for the posts of District Youth Welfare and Provincial Guards Officer and Deputy Jailor.
The government also approved amendments to employee conduct rules concerning movable and immovable property and brought relevant provisions in line with the Indian Justice Code, 2023.
Vigilance Department to Be Restructured
The Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Vigilance setup, with 11 existing posts being surrendered and six new posts created, including positions such as Additional Sub-Inspector and Head Constable.
A provision was also approved under the Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Act for allocating 92% of the proceeds from disinvestment or monetisation of assets to the concerned public agencies.
New Irrigation and Drainage Bill on the Cards
The government decided to repeal the 1873 Northern India Canal and Drainage Act and introduce a new Irrigation and Drainage Bill, 2026, in the state Assembly.
For the poultry sector, subsidy payments will now be made directly through DBT into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, replacing the earlier e-RUPI mechanism.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of a new Director General post in the Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector for better coordination and implementation of schemes.
₹200 Crore Skill Development Plan for 1.19 Lakh Students
The Cabinet approved the Chief Minister Higher Education Skill Enhancement Scheme, 2026, under which approximately 1.19 lakh students will receive employment-oriented skill training over five years at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore.
New norms have also been approved for the establishment of private universities. The minimum built-up area requirement has been fixed at 2,500 square metres in hilly areas and 20,000 square metres in the plains.
New Sub-Registrar Office in Narendranagar
A new Sub-Registrar Office will be established in Narendranagar, Tehri, covering 133 revenue villages. The move is aimed at making registration-related services more accessible to residents of the area.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to provisions related to the Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms framework to make the rules clearer and more transparent.
New Health Service Rules, Doctor Honorarium Revised
The government approved the Vector-Borne Disease Control Service Rules, 2026, aimed at regulating recruitment and service conditions of personnel working in the Health Department.
The honorarium of Senior Residents, Junior Residents and Demonstrators in government medical colleges has also been revised to address shortages of doctors and strengthen medical services.
Focus on Governance, Jobs and Public Services
The 24 decisions taken at the Banbasa Cabinet meeting cover several key areas of governance, from land and forest administration to recruitment, skill development, healthcare, infrastructure and financial management.
The government is positioning the decisions as part of its broader effort to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen public services and expand employment and development opportunities across Uttarakhand.
