As per its election promise, BJP’s Pushkar Singh Dhami government in the state will provide the benefit of free LPG refill scheme to Antyodaya families for the entire five years, i.e. the remaining term till the year 2027. In the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, the proposal in this regard was approved. In the 2022 assembly elections, the BJP had promised to provide three LPG cylinders free of cost to the very poor families of the state throughout the year. On formation of the government, the Chief Minister’s Free Gas Refill Scheme was implemented. There are about 1,84,101 Antyodaya ration card holders in the state. In the financial year 2023-24 also, three LPG cylinders were made available free of cost to these ration card holders. The cabinet approved to continue it till the financial year 2024-25 and the tenure of the current government till the year 2027.
According to the current rates, the estimated cost of one LPG cylinder refill is Rs 822. The government has to bear a total expenditure of Rs 45.39 crore for providing three cylinders in a year. According to the cabinet decision, oil companies will be given money in advance to provide one refill cylinder free of cost to Antyodaya ration card holders in four months. Cardholders will have to first deposit the full amount in the gas agency to get one free cylinder every four months. After this, the oil company will directly transfer the amount to the beneficiary’s account through DBT.
Approval for construction of heliport in Haridwar
In another important decision, the cabinet approved the construction of heliport in SIDCUL, Haridwar. 8092 square meters of land located at Bansowali of SIDCUL has been marked for the heliport. Its current fixed price is Rs 10.51 crore. The Chief Minister has been authorized to take a decision regarding transferring this land to the Civil Aviation Department free of cost. The Cabinet has decided to give 358 square meters of land near Civil Court Vikasnagar to Pachhadun Bar Association on a lease of 30 years at the rate of one rupee per annum. Chambers will be constructed for advocates on this land.
The Transport Department will bear the travel expenses of the gallantry awardees
Under the gallantry award, Indian soldiers and their brave women who have received Ashok Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra have got free travel facility in the buses of the State Transport Corporation. The Sainik Welfare Department has been reimbursing the expenditure on this facility to the Transport Department till now. The Cabinet has decided that this expense will now be borne by the Transport Corporation. Also, budget will be arranged by the department in this item. The Cabinet approved the proposal to place the annual report and annual accounts statement of the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission for the year 2022-23 as well as the regulations notified from August 21, 2022 to January 13, 2024 in the upcoming assembly session.
Five meritorious students will take higher education in Britain from next session
The Cabinet approved the operation of the Chief Minister Higher Education Chevening Scholarship Scheme. Under the scheme, five meritorious students of the state will get an opportunity to pursue higher education in Britain. Regarding this scheme, a contract was signed between the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission Office New Delhi and the State Government on August 14, 2024. Under this global scholarship scheme of the British government, emphasis is laid on the development of leadership skills among meritorious students.
A maximum of five applicants from government colleges and university campuses of the state will have the opportunity to study in postgraduate courses for one year in any course every year. It will be conducted from three academic sessions 2025 to 2028. The expenditure per scholarship will be Rs 22 lakh i.e. a total of Rs 1.10 crore. Out of this, Britain will bear the amount of 42 to 46 lakh. The remaining expenditure will be borne by the state government.
