State to ink MoU with UP for extension of Ganga Expressway, 122 new posts created for Sports Varsity
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
In an important decision, which will pave the way for the construction of Uttarakhand High Court complex in Haldwani, the Uttarakhand government has decided to transfer 40 hectares of forest land for the purpose. A decision in this regard was taken by the State cabinet in its meeting headed by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday. Informing about the decision of the cabinet, the director general Information Banshidhar Tiwari said that the new HC court complex will come up in the Lamachaur area of Haldwani. Notably, the Supreme Court had cleared the shifting of the HC from Nainital to Haldwani in July this year.
In another important decision, which will clear the way for extension of the Ganga Expressway to Haridwar, the cabinet decided that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) should be inked between the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to extend the Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Haridwar. This will provide new impetus to religious tourism, industrial investment, trade and will create new employment opportunities.
The cabinet also approved the proposal to create 122 regular posts for the smooth operation of the Uttarakhand State Sports University, Haldwani. The new recruitment will provide players with quality training.
The cabinet also decided to expand the scope of the Gau Palan Yojana by including the people belonging to the general category under its ambit. Beneficiaries will now be able to choose between purchasing cows and buffaloes. The unit cost of an animal has been increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 rupees. Under the scheme the SC and ST beneficiaries will receive a 90 per cent subsidy, while those in the general category will receive a 60 per cent subsidy.
In another important decision, the cabinet approved the regulation for the Uttarakhand Wage Code -2026. It includes important provisions such as minimum wages, payment for overtime, salary by the seventh day of every month, digital payment and ensuring equal pay for equal work for men and women. The cabinet also approved the proposal to revise the composition of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on ecotourism. Tiwari informed that the committee will now include senior Forest department officials to strengthen environmental protection, herb management, waste control, and better coordination with local communities.
Tiwari said that keeping in mind the interests of the scheduled caste community of Bengali origin of Dineshpur and Shaktifarm area of Udham Singh Nagar district, the cabinet decided to nominate the members of the community for the posts of vice president and member.
