Cabinet clears Public Gambling Prevention Bill, amends key laws

Dehradun: State cabinet on Friday approved the Uttarakhand Public Gambling Prevention Bill, 2026, replacing the pre-Independence Public Gambling Act, 1867, in compliance with directions issued by the Union ministry of home affairs.The proposed law aims to prevent and penalise public gambling, the running of common gambling houses, and betting on games in the state. It also contains provisions related to matters incidental to such offences.The cabinet also approved the Uttarakhand Minority Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to strengthen the functioning of the Minority Commission constituted in 2002 to safeguard the constitutional rights and interests of minority communities in the state.With amendments from time to time, the commission works to protect the interests of minority Muslim, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, Parsi, and Sikh communities and to promote their social and economic development. The amendment aims to ensure adequate representation for these communities and provide the commission with a full-term tenure, while expanding its jurisdiction and functions in response to long-standing demands from minority groups.In another decision, the cabinet approved the promulgation of provisions of the Personnel Department's government order dated May 22, 2020, as an Act.The cabinet cleared the Uttarakhand Private University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to amend the Uttarakhand Private University Act, 2023. As part of the state government's plan to develop Uttarakhand as an education hub and encourage private sector participation in higher education, the cabinet approved the establishment of Mount Valley University in Nainital district and Tulaj University and Shivalik University in Dehradun district.The proposed universities aim to promote innovative teaching methods, encourage research related to the state, provide educational opportunities to socially and economically disadvantaged sections, and create employment opportunities and resources in the region.