Rs 1.1L crore bill to be tabled in state assembly for budget

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand cabinet on Wednesday approved an Rs 1.1 lakh crore budget proposal to be tabled in the upcoming assembly session, an estimated 10% increase over the current fiscal's Rs 1 lakh crore budget which includes Rs 59,954 crore in revenue expenditure and Rs 41,220 crore in capital outlay.Among key decisions, the cabinet cleared Rs 1,600 crore Uttarakhand Efficient Water Supply Programme with assistance from World Bank which is expected to contribute Rs 1,280 crore. State govt will cover the remaining cost. The proposal was earlier sent to Union govt for approval. The initiative aims to strengthen planning, implementation and maintenance of drinking water schemes.A Policy for Safe Reuse of Treated Water, 2026, was also approved to establish a uniform framework for phased reuse of treated water from sewage and faecal sludge treatment plants for non-potable purposes across urban and rural areas. It outlines short and medium term targets, implementation guidelines, financial management norms and quality control measures.The cabinet cleared the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to replace an ordinance addressing implementation issues in the Code, which came into effect on Jan 1, 2025. The amendment seeks to address practical difficulties and clerical errors identified during implementation, based on recommendations of a committee constituted for the purpose.To expedite trials in rape and Pocso Act cases, three additional Fast Track Special Courts in Vikasnagar, Kashipur and Nainital district headquarters were approved. Four such courts are already operational in Dehradun, Roorkee, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. Approval from Union govt had been obtained. Besides, 14 court manager posts, including one for Nainital HC, were sanctioned for state.Swami Vivekananda Uttarakhand E-Library Scheme for higher education institutions also received cabinet approval, providing access to research journals and e-resources, including e-books, newspapers, magazines and reports, through perpetual ownership or subscription models. Student fees will range from Rs 100 to Rs 500 depending on the course type.In a push for investment facilitation, 14 new posts were approved in addition to the existing 13 in the Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board. To promote horticulture, the cabinet approved state assistance for high-density apple nurseries — 50% subsidy for applicants with up to 10 acres and 40% for those with more than 10 acres.For the convenience of traders in Kumaon division, approval was granted for setting up a State Bench of the GST Appellate Tribunal in Haldwani, citing geographical challenges. Nod was also given for the constitution of a Steering Committee and Project Management Unit for a World Bank-assisted public financial management reform programme, along with posts for the unit.Other decisions included contractual appointments of environmental engineers and hydrologists in 11 municipal corporations, Beekeeping Policy-2026 to boost honey production, expansion of nutritional provisions under Anganwadi centres for children aged three to six years and for pregnant and lactating women.