Cabinet nod to 4 Badri projects; tax rebate for CNG, EV vehicles
The
Uttarakhand cabinet
on Wednesday approved 12 proposals, including four related to development projects in Badrinath and a tax exemption for CNG and electric vehicles.
Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said permission was granted for creating Sudarshan Chakra and Sheshnetra Lotus wall artworks at prominent Badrinath locations, including Arrival Plaza and Lakefront. Another decision pertains to the construction and installation of the 'Tree and River Sculpture' at Badrinarayan Chowk.
In a major green push, the cabinet has amended the tax structure for certain categories of eco-friendly vehicles. Under a notification dated Jan 2, 2019, issued under the Uttarakhand Motor Vehicle Taxation Reform Act, 2003, one-time tax rates were specified for vehicles powered by electric batteries, solar energy, or CNG. The cabinet has decided to extend this exemption to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and strong hybrid electric vehicles.
"The purpose of this decision is to encourage vehicle owners to purchase and use these categories of vehicles and to reduce pollution," said Bagauli.
To streamline recruitment processes for Group-C positions outside the purview of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission, the state had earlier established the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission, creating a framework of 64 temporary positions-of which 62 were created, with the remaining two treated as a dying cadre. Given the rising number of requisitions from departments, the cabinet has now approved a restructuring of the commission's framework by creating 15 new positions-one regular and 14 outsourced-on top of the existing 62.
In another decision, the director of the Forensic Science Laboratory will now be designated as the
Uttarakhand Forensic Science Laboratory
Department head. The cabinet also cleared a proposal to restructure the
Uttarakhand Human Rights Commission
, which was established in 2011 with 47 positions. To address operational requirements, 12 new positions will be created. In line with central govt directives, the cabinet approved a proposal to make employees covered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) eligible for gratuity within the state. Also, changes were made to benefit the dependents of deceased environmental workers under the 1974 rules.
Under the Clean Mobility Transition Policy, 2024, the transport department had planned to deposit funds for various incentives in an escrow account titled the Uttarakhand Clean Mobility Transition Fund. However, banks raised concerns regarding the opening of such accounts. Hence, the state will now use an SNA account to implement the policy.
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