UP Cabinet Clears 39 Proposals, Approves Free LPG Cylinders On Holi And Diwali

Lucknow: In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday in Uttar Pradesh, 39 proposals were approved simultaneously. Many important decisions related to employment, farmers, cooking gas, urban transport and education were taken in the meeting. These include the proposal to name Jewar Airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 20 per cent reservation for firefighters in the recruitment of four government departments and a plan to provide free gas cylinders to eligible families on Holi-Diwali. Apart from this, decisions were also taken in the meeting to increase the target of paddy procurement, fix the minimum support price of maize and open artificial intelligence centres in all 75 districts of the state.

What benefit will Agniveers get during recruitment in four departments?

The Cabinet has approved the proposal to provide benefits to former firefighters in constable-level recruitment in Police, Forest, Prison and transport departments. According to Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Agniveer will get a relaxation of three years in the maximum age limit. Under this, they will be eligible for recruitment till the age of 28 years instead of 25 years. A provision has been made to exempt them from written and physical examination and to provide 20 percent horizontal reservation in the recruitment of all four departments. 

What was the target for purchasing paddy? 

For farmers, the Cabinet has also fixed the dates for paddy procurement for Kharif marketing season 2026-27. Paddy procurement in Western Uttar Pradesh will take place from 15 October to 15 February 2027 and in Eastern Uttar Pradesh from 1 November to 28 February 2027. This time the government has set a target of purchasing 65 lakh tonnes of paddy, whereas last year 62 lakh tonnes of paddy were purchased. The minimum support price (MSP) of maize has been set at Rs 2,410 per quintal, which is Rs 10 more than last year. According to the government, arrangements for sacks have also been made for purchasing paddy.

How much budget for a free gas cylinder on Holi-Diwali?

The Uttar Pradesh government has also approved the scheme to provide free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali to the eligible beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. A budget of Rs 2,142 crore has been kept for this. The government says that arrangements will be made to deliver the cylinders to the beneficiaries on time. Eligible families will get the benefit of the scheme as per the prescribed rules. 

How many new electric buses will be operated?

A proposal to run 1,725 new electric buses in 18 municipal corporation areas has also been approved to improve public transport in cities. A prescribed tender process will be adopted for the purchase of buses. According to the proposal, 50 percent of the buses will be purchased from the company making the lowest bid, while arrangements will be made to get the remaining buses from the company manufacturing them in Uttar Pradesh.

Apart from this, an integrated bus terminal will be built on PPP model in Vrindavan Planning area of Lucknow. The cost of this project is said to be around Rs 265 crore.

How many centres will be opened for AI Mission in UP? 

The Cabinet has also approved Uttar Pradesh Artificial Intelligence Mission. Committees will be formed at three levels for its operation. The apex committee will be headed by the Chief Minister, while other committees will work under the leadership of the Chief Secretary and the concerned Principal Secretary. According to the proposal, AI centres will be opened in all 75 districts of the state and AI fellows will be deployed there.

What will be the name of Bhadohi?

The Cabinet has also approved the proposal to change the name of Bhadohi district to Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi. Along with this, it has been decided to give an additional saree to Anganwadi workers and helpers. Sarees will be arranged for about 3.90 lakh workers and helpers. Apart from this, the interest waiver scheme of GST has been approved. It has also been decided to increase the internship allowance of students completing BAMS, BUMS and BHMS from Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy institutes from Rs 7,500 to Rs 15,000 per month.

Overall, 39 decisions of the Yogi Cabinet cover many areas, from changing the name of the airport to employment, farmers, gas cylinders, urban transport and health education. The timeline for their actual implementation will be clear from the orders of the concerned departments and detailed notifications to be issued.