In an attempt to give further boost to tourism in Uttar Pradesh, the Akhilesh Yadav Government has allowed air services between important cities, opening the door for scheduled and non-scheduled airlines to start their operations in the state.
A decision in this regard was taken in a Cabinet meeting held here on Wednesday. The air services have been allowed on lucknow-Allahabad, lucknow-Agra, lucknow-Varanasi, lucknow-Meerut and lucknow-Gorakhpur routes.
The government spokesman said that UP State Tourism Department had been made the nodal agency for the air service. He said planes carrying weight of over 40,000 kg would get rebate in VAT on fuel surcharges.
The state Government would also allow free landing and parking facilities in the state hangers at government-owned airstrips.“This policy will remain in force for the next three years and will be extended as per the response of the people,” the spokesman said.
Besides, the Government also allowed air travel for state employees availing lTC. This decision would benefit 1.20 lakh employees. In another decision, the state Government decided to set up a tiger reserve in Pilibhit core forest zone. The total area of the reserve would be 60,279.80 hectare, and it would increase to 73,024 hectare after including the buffer zone. The Cabinet decided to declare the core area as wildlife sanctuary.
In a decision having political impact, the state Government decided to extend the benefits of National Health Insurance Scheme to the poor, including labourers working in MNREGA schemes, rickshaw-pullers, BPl (below poverty line) families in urban areas, safai karmacharis and those who have antodaya card.
Till now this facility was available to only BPl families. Under this scheme, those who have worked for 15 days in MNREGA scheme or rickshaw-pullers who are registered would get the benefits. The premium of the insurance would be paid by the Central and the state governments in the ratio of 75:25.
“This scheme is expected to benefit over 150.36 lakh poor people,” the spokesman said. In another decision, the Government approved potato policy and issued guidelines for development and maintenance of IT Park.
The Government also revised rates of nazul land. For residential area, the rates would be 25 per cent of the circle rate in case of 300 square metre land and 40 per cent for land having more than 300 sq. m area.
The commercial rate would be 50 per cent of the circle rate and for non-commercial and non-residential land it would be 40 per cent.In an important decision, the Government decided to distribute hygienic menstrual sanitary napkins to girls between class 6 and class 12 in state-run schools and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. This scheme is likely to cost over Rs 19.74 crore to the exchequer.
The Government also decided to lay underline power cables in Mau and Rampur and allowed construction of a hall in Etawah. The Government also revised the pay scale of non-medical assistants (NMAs) and decided to hand over extra land in Naini Industrial Area to UPSIDC.