The Uttarakhand cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, approved several key proposals in its recent meeting, including the much-awaited Geothermal Energy Policy aimed at promoting clean and sustainable energy development in the state.
Key Decisions Taken by the Cabinet:
- Geothermal Policy Approved: The state has officially adopted a geothermal policy to harness the region’s natural thermal energy sources.
- Strengthening Bridge Infrastructure: Approval was granted to set up a Project Management Unit to enhance the structural capacity of bridges across Uttarakhand.
- Pension Rule Revised: In a major relief, the cabinet amended existing rules — now, old-age pension will not be discontinued when a son turns 18, a change that benefits numerous elderly recipients.
- Expansion in Vigilance Department: The number of posts in the Vigilance Department has been increased from 132 to 156.
- GST Department Restructuring: Several new posts were added to strengthen the GST department’s workforce.
- District & State Mining Trusts: The cabinet approved the creation of District and State-level Mining Trusts to oversee the development and regulation of newly identified mineral resources.
These decisions reflect the state government’s focus on infrastructure, transparency, renewable energy, and inclusive welfare policies.
