The Uttarakhand government has decided to hand over the implementation of Phase 3 of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Rural) to the Panchayati Raj Department. Until now, the first two phases were overseen by the Drinking Water Department. The new phase is set to begin in 2026 and will focus on improving sanitation efforts in rural areas under the direct supervision of Panchayati Raj institutions.
The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Four key proposals were approved in the meeting. One major decision was to shift the responsibility of rural sanitation programs from the Drinking Water Department to the Panchayati Raj Department, aligning implementation duties with the department most closely connected to village governance.
The cabinet also approved the Special Educator Service Regulations 2025, paving the way for recruitment of 135 special educators in the education department. These posts were created following a directive from the Supreme Court, but lacked service rules until now.
In addition, the cabinet reviewed the third report submitted by the dedicated single-member commission on OBC reservation in urban local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. Recommendations from the cabinet subcommittee formed to study this report had already been approved by the Chief Minister under deviation powers and were formally ratified by the cabinet in this session.
