After discussion on 10 proposals, the State cabinet unanimously passed nine of them in its meeting held here on Thursday. Some of the decisions were also taken in view of the upcoming Investors Summit. Decisions taken in the cabinet meeting have paved the way to boost activity in the electric vehicles, tourism, aroma and biotechnology sectors. Cabinet minister and state government spokesman Madan Kaushik informed the media about the cabinet decisions after the meeting.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat presided over the cabinet meeting which began at his residence at about 8 AM. It was decided that state employees appointed since October 2005 will also receive pension benefits. This decision is expected to benefit thousands of state personnel. The cabinet also accorded its approval to the state’s tourism policy.
Apart from this, the cabinet also took various decisions in view on the Investors’ Summit to be held next month. The cabinet also decided on electronic vehicle manufacturing regulations, opening an aroma park on 30 acre land in Pantnagar, provision of Rs five crore fund for encouraging research in biotechnology and handing over the Sitarganj sugar mill under public private partnership mode. It was also decided that some relief will be provided in Goods and Services Tax (GST) to industries apart from which for EPF, the government will bear 50 per cent or maximum Rs two crore for a period of 10 years. It was also decided that electric vehicles will be accorded priority among applications for route permits, Rs 1,000 monthly incentive will be provided for six months to those who have undergone skill development training and Rs 500 crore investment will be facilitate for aroma park. The aroma park would be set up on about 30 acre land and provide employment opportunities for about 5,000 persons. They will be involved in production of perfume, aromatic oil, incense, flavoured and other similar products.
To encourage the use of electric vehicles, the cabinet also decided to provide cent per cent rebate in road tax for a period of five years to the first one lakh buyers of such vehicles. It was also decided that the government will provide encouragement to those conducting research in the field of biotechnology.