The Uttarakhand government has approved the Green Hydrogen Policy 2026, aiming to promote clean energy production in the state. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, where a total of eight proposals were cleared. The policy focuses on encouraging green hydrogen production through incentives, with subsidy-related decisions to be taken under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
Along with the hydrogen policy, several important decisions affecting healthcare, land, industry and tribal welfare were approved. In the medical and health department, health workers who have completed five years of service will now be eligible for district-level transfers based on mutual consent. This move is expected to address long-pending transfer demands of health staff.
In the revenue sector, the cabinet approved a provision allowing the government to directly purchase land from owners through mutual agreement, apart from the land acquisition process. This is intended to simplify land procurement for government projects. The cabinet also decided that land earlier allotted to SIDCUL from Parag Farm cannot be sold or leased to others, though sub-leasing by SIDCUL will be permitted.
To strengthen tribal welfare administration, four new posts of District Tribal Welfare Officers have been approved for districts including Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar. Another major decision relates to water usage, under which water charges will now be levied on industrial units and residential societies, excluding land meant for non-agricultural activities. Commercial use of groundwater will also attract user charges.
The cabinet also approved amendments to the Uttarakhand Private University Act, paving the way for GRD University to be established as a private university in the state. An ordinance related to this amendment will be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the Assembly.
In a move related to strategic infrastructure, the cabinet gave consent to jointly hand over the Chinyalisaur and Gauchar airstrips to the Ministry of Defence. These airstrips will be operated jointly, strengthening both civilian and defence connectivity in the region.
Officials said the Green Hydrogen Policy 2026 will help Uttarakhand move towards clean energy, attract investment and create employment opportunities, while other cabinet decisions are aimed at improving governance, infrastructure and public services across the state.
Key Decisions Taken on Today’s Cabinet Meeting –
• Green Hydrogen Policy 2026 approved to promote clean energy production in Uttarakhand. Subsidy decisions will be taken by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
• Health department staff transfer rule changed. Health workers completing five years of service can now seek district-level transfers through mutual consent.
• Direct land purchase allowed. The government can buy land directly from owners through agreement, apart from the land acquisition process.
• SIDCUL land restriction clarified. Land allotted to SIDCUL from Parag Farm cannot be sold or leased to others, but SIDCUL can sub-lease it for industrial use.
• New posts in Tribal Welfare Department. Four District Tribal Welfare Officer posts approved for districts including Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar.
• Water usage charges introduced. Industrial units and residential societies will have to pay water charges, excluding land used for non-agricultural purposes. Commercial groundwater use will also be charged.
• Private University Act amendment approved. GRD University will be established as a private university after the ordinance is placed in the budget session.
• Airstrips for joint use. Chinyalisaur and Gauchar airstrips will be jointly handed over to the Ministry of Defence and operated together.
