Uttarakhand: Dhami cabinet’s important decisions; Natural gas becomes cheaper, major changes in the Ayushman scheme; read in detail.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has concluded. Several important decisions related to public welfare, industrial development, health, culture, and administrative reforms were taken during the meeting. These decisions will directly impact the general public, farmers, artists, and employees.

Natural Gas Cheaper in Uttarakhand
The cabinet has decided to reduce the VAT on PNG and CNG from 20 percent to 5 percent to promote natural gas in the state. The government believes this will promote pollution-free, green, and clean energy and attract industrial investment.

Providing significant relief to apple growers in Dharali and surrounding areas of Uttarkashi district, affected by the disaster, the cabinet approved the Chief Minister’s announcement. Under this, Royal Delicious apples will be purchased at Rs. 51 per kg, and Red Delicious and other varieties at Rs. 45 per kg by the Horticulture and Food Processing Department. This arrangement will apply except for Grade-C apples.

Dhami government increases artists’ pension
The cabinet also took a major decision for the state’s elderly and impoverished artists and writers. In light of inflation, their monthly pension has been increased from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000. To achieve this, the Uttarakhand Monthly Pension for Old and Indigent Artists and Writers (Amendment) Rules, 2025, was approved.

Under the Ease of Doing Business initiative, it has been decided to simplify the building map approval process. Maps for low-risk buildings, such as single residential houses and small commercial buildings, can now be self-certified by an empanelled architect and approved.

To accelerate industrial development, the Uttarakhand General Industrial Development Control (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, have also been approved, expanding the ground coverage of MSMEs and industrial units.

Additionally, important decisions were taken, including restructuring the organizational structure of the Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Development Council, linking the service period of work-charge employees of the Irrigation and Public Works Departments to pensions, and implementing the Ayushman and Atal Ayushman Yojanas in a new insurance and hybrid model.

Amendments to the Medical Education Service Rules
To strengthen health services, the Medical Education Service Rules have been amended, raising the age for appointment to Professors and Associate Professors to 62 years. A decision has also been made to provide a 50 percent additional allowance to specialist doctors working in mountainous and inaccessible areas.

Parade Ground Land to be Transferred to the Information Department
Meanwhile, information regarding the Chief Minister’s directive to transfer the Parade Ground land for the Dehradun Press Club to the Information Department was also shared after the Cabinet meeting, so that a new building for the Press Club can be constructed in the future.