DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND – Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand state cabinet convened a high-stakes meeting at the state secretariat on April 30, 2026. The session concluded with the approval of 18 major policy decisions spanning across sectors such as transport, education, religious management, and employee welfare.
The decisions reflect the government’s dual focus on modernizing administrative infrastructure and providing immediate relief to frontline workers. From historical labor reforms to the streamlining of religious institutions, the meeting underscored the “Double-Engine” government’s commitment to making the current decade the “Decade of Uttarakhand.”
Major Boost for Frontline Workers: Anganwadi Salary Hike
In a landmark decision that will impact over 36,000 employees, the cabinet approved a significant salary hike for Anganwadi workers. This marks the first major adjustment in three years and is aimed at boosting the morale of those at the grassroots level of healthcare and child nutrition.
Religious Governance: Reforming Madrasa Affiliation
A pivotal move in the education and religious sector was the cabinet’s decision to relax mandatory affiliation norms for Madrasas. This policy change is intended to bring more informal educational institutions into the mainstream regulatory framework, ensuring better quality control while respecting the autonomy of these institutions. The relaxation is expected to help hundreds of Madrasas across the state align with standardized educational criteria without facing the immediate burden of rigid infrastructural requirements.
Infrastructure and Transport Reforms
The transport sector saw several key approvals aimed at enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency:
- Public Transport Expansion: The cabinet cleared proposals for the procurement of new fleets to bolster state-run transport, particularly on routes leading to the border districts.
- Logistic Hubs: New provisions were made for the development of modern logistics parks, aligning with the state’s vision to become a mountain-logistics hub for Northern India.
Environmental Stewardship and Pilgrimage Management
Timed with the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, the cabinet reviewed environmental protocols. Following the success in Kedarnath, where nearly 1,000 kilograms of plastic waste were collected and processed within the first week of the pilgrimage, the cabinet decided to replicate this “Material Recovery Facility” (MRF) model across all major pilgrimage shrines.
The Chief Minister reiterated his appeal to pilgrims:
- Zero-Waste Goal: Implementation of permanent wet-waste disposal pits.
- Revenue Generation: Selling compacted plastic waste to generate funds for local municipal bodies.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Implementation
The cabinet also touched upon the progress of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) manual, which was recently approved. The state is now moving toward the final implementation phase, making Uttarakhand the first state in independent India to adopt a common set of personal laws for all citizens regardless of religion.
Conclusion: A Vision for 2026 and Beyond
The 18 decisions made during this session signify a proactive approach to governance. By addressing the needs of both the workforce and the evolving educational landscape, the Dhami administration is positioning Uttarakhand as a state of “balanced development.”
As Dehradun continues to evolve as a key administrative hub, these cabinet decisions provide the legislative framework necessary to support the massive infrastructure projects currently underway, including the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway and the expansion of the regional railway network.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting:
- 18 Proposals cleared across various departments.
- 36,000+ Anganwadi workers to receive salary hikes.
- Madrasa affiliation norms relaxed to encourage mainstreaming.
- Plastic-free pilgrimage initiatives expanded to all major shrines.
