Physical school classes for classes VI to XII will begin in the state from February 8. The standard operating procedures for this will be released by the education department. In addition to this the regulations for the ban on polythene bags and polystyrene disposables have also been made in the State. These and other decisions were taken in the meeting of the cabinet presided over by the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Saturday.

Informing the media about the cabinet decisions, cabinet minister and state government spokesman Madan Kaushik informed that the cabinet discussed 17 points in its meeting.

Regarding the plastic ban, he said that single use plastic is already prohibited in Uttarakhand but now the regulations have been made. All types of plastic carry bags irrespective of their dimensions will be prohibited in the state. Disposable crockery made from polystyrene (thermocol) and plastic cutlery will also be banned.

If the banned items are found to be used in single use food products packaging containers, the manufacturer can be penalised Rs  5 lakh, while Rs  2 lakh penalty will be levied on the transporter, Rs 1 lakh on the vendor and Rs 100 on the consumer.

In another important decision, the cabinet gave its approval to provide 50 additional work days to MNREGA job card holders who complete 100 days.

There are about 20,000 such families which have completed 100 work days. The state will presently incur an expenditure of Rs 18.09 crore expenditure on providing 50 additional work days to these families and the expenditure is expected to rise in a few months. Kaushik further informed that the cyber crisis management plan (CCMP) for countering cyber attacks and cyber terrorism in Uttarakhand 2020, is also being implemented in the state.

The CCMP was basically prepared by the Government of India and is now being implemented in the state, he added. The cabinet also approved amendment in the excise policy following which allotment of licensed liquor shops for two years will be done through e-tendering and the application fee has been raised from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000.

Further, the sale of beer will also be allowed in country liquor shops. The Cabinet also took a decision regarding providing the amount for beneficiaries under the girl child education incentive (free cycle) scheme through direct benefit transfer (DBT).