In an important decision, the Uttarakhand Government has decided to create a frame work for contract farming in the state. On  Friday the State Cabinet approved the proposal to implement the provision of the Agriculture produce and livestock contract farming and services act-2018 of Union Government in the State. This was one among the 14 decisions taken by the State Cabinet in its meeting held on Friday.

Under the provision of the act, the farmers to promote contract farming the farmers can give his fields to any person or company on lease for farming. The act was passed by the Central Government in the year 2018 as a nodal act. As per its provision, the States are free to either to implement it or not. The act also makes provisions for farmers to work for corporate houses. The experts are of view that the farmers of the state would get benefited from the act and it would help in stopping migration from villages.

In another decision the Cabinet exempted the farmers from the compulsion of taking their produce in the Mandis of the state. They can now sell their produce at any place with no obligation of payment of Mandi cess. The Cabinet also absolved the Uttarakhand Krishi Utpadan Mandi Act- 2011 as the ‘Agriculture produce and livestock contract farming and services act-2018 of Central Government would prevail in the state.

The cabinet also approved appointment of G S Rautela on the post of advisor of science city. In another decisions, the Cabinet approved the proposal to increase the duration of deputation in State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) from existing five years to seven years and amended the Mega Industries investment policy -2015.

Similarly amendments were made in the start up policy and Panchayati Raj act 2016.

The Public Works Department (PWD) can now undertake constructions of roads up to 500 meter long and 3 meter wide. The Cabinet also amended Uttarakhand Witness Protection Act 2020 under which the witness of crimes having death penalty would be provided security.