The Uttar Pradesh government, in the Cabinet meeting held on Friday(November 14), approved several significant proposals related to welfare schemes, labour reforms, revenue management, industrial investment, and agriculture. These decisions will directly impact senior citizens, farmers, small business owners, the industrial sector, and government employees. Below is a detailed overview of the major decisions taken by the Cabinet:
1. No Need for Separate Application for Pension Anymore: Automatic Selection Through Family ID
The state government has introduced a major reform in the old-age pension scheme by implementing an automatic identification system for eligible senior citizens. Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun stated that now the list of citizens turning 60 years of age will be generated automatically through the ‘One Family–One Identity’ or Family ID system.
Under this new system:
- Citizens who are going to complete 60 years of age within the next 90 days will be automatically listed.
- This list will be transferred via API to the Social Welfare Department’s pension portal.
- The department will first seek consent from the citizens through SMS, WhatsApp, and phone calls.
- Those who do not respond digitally will be approached physically by Gram Panchayat Assistants, CSC operators, or departmental staff.
- If consent is not obtained at either stage, their names will be removed from the process.
Currently, about 67.50 lakh people are receiving benefits under this scheme, but many eligible senior citizens miss out due to documentation issues. The new system aims to eliminate this problem.
2. Major Relief on Stamp Duty for Rent Agreements; Toll and Mining Leases Excluded
The UP Cabinet has approved a proposal to reduce stamp duty on standard rent agreements by up to 90 percent. Thiswill encourage formal registration of rental agreements and reduce the financial burden on both tenants and property owners.
Key points:
- The maximum fee limit has been set for rent agreements up to one year and for registries valid up to ten years.
- The rebate will apply to agreements where the annual rent is up to ₹10 lakh.
- Toll and mining leases have been excluded due to the possibility of high revenue loss.
Stamp and Registration State Minister Ravindra Jaiswal stated that this reform will benefit the public and traders while boosting formal tenancy practices.
3. Relief for Small Businesses: Establishments with Fewer Than 20 Employees Exempt from Registration
The government has simplified labour laws, providing major relief to small shops and businesses. Establishments employing fewer than 20 workers will no longer be required to register.
Previously, even establishments with a single employee needed mandatory registration.
Under the new amendment:
- The Act will now apply only to establishments with 20 or more employees.
- Clinics, polyclinics, architects, tax consultants, technical consultants, service providers, corporate offices, and similar establishments will now fall under legal protection.
- The Act’s applicability has expanded from urban areas to the entire state.
Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar said that this step will allow small businesses to operate smoothly without extra burdens, while employees of larger establishments will continue to receive all legal benefits.
4. Good News for Sugarcane Farmers: Increase in Cane Prices
The Cabinet has approved the proposal to increase the prices of different sugarcane varieties. The new rates are:
- Early variety: ₹400 per quintal
- General variety: ₹390 per quintal
- Unapproved variety: ₹355 per quintal
Sugarcane Development Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary stated:
- Sugar mills will make payments based on the State Advised Price (SAP).
- The transportation deduction has been fixed at 60 paise per quintal per km, with a cap of ₹12 per quintal.
- The contribution rate for sugarcane committees and development councils has been set at ₹5.50 per quintal.
This decision will offer direct financial support to lakhs of sugarcane farmers.
5. Promotion Opportunity for Chainmen to Become Lekhpals
For the first time, the state government has allowed Chainmen to be promoted to the post of Lekhpal. Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said that two percent of Lekhpal posts will now be reserved for promotions from the Chainman cadre after amending the service rules.
Eligibility criteria:
- The applicant must be originally appointed as a Chainman.
- Must have completed a minimum of six years of service by the first day of the recruitment year.
- Must possess an Intermediate or equivalent qualification.
Uttar Pradesh currently has 30,837 sanctioned Lekhpal posts, out of which 8,940 are vacant. This decision will enhance departmental efficiency by promoting experienced Chainmen.
6. Boost to Industrial Investment: Ashok Leyland to Get Revised LOC for Additional ₹66 Crore Investment
The Cabinet approved issuing a revised Letter of Comfort (LOC) for an additional investment of ₹66 crore in Ashok Leyland’s EV plant established on Scooters India land.
Previously, an LOC was issued based on an investment of ₹186 crore.
After the additional investment:
- The subsidy amount due to the company will increase.
- It will help promote electric vehicle manufacturing in the state.
This is considered a crucial step towards making UP a major hub for electric mobility.
7. Major Amendments in the Pledge Park Scheme: Easier Land Access for Small Entrepreneurs
The Pledge Park scheme launched in 2023 for MSMEs has undergone several key amendments.
New provisions:
- Pledge Parks of at least 15 acres can now be built up to 2.5 km inside from the main road.
- The government will provide facilities such as road connectivity and land acquisition support.
- Investors can set up only ‘Green/Orange’ category units near 7-meter-wide roads, while all types of units can be set up near 12-meter-wide roads.
- Development Authorities will charge 25% development fees for parks within their jurisdiction.
- Each Pledge Park will be considered a single unit; hence, individual units inside will not need separate stamp duty.
- Plot allocation will be done at uniform circle rates determined by the District Magistrate.
- Investors must develop industrial/commercial facilities on at least 10% of the land.
This amendment aims to ease land access for small entrepreneurs and accelerate industrial development.
8. Major Step for Farmers: 40,521 New Solar Pumps to Be Installed
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, the state will install 40,521 new solar pumps in 2025–26, reducing farmers’ dependence on diesel for irrigation.
Key highlights:
- From 2020–21 till now, 63,345 solar pumps have been installed.
- These pumps have created irrigation capacity for 1.49 lakh hectares and save 5,483.98 lakh units of energy annually.
- Carbon emissions have reduced by 1.26 lakh metric tonnes.
- Solar pumps have replaced diesel pumps, saving 877.50 lakh litres of diesel every year.
- The government provides up to 60% subsidy on tender value.
- Farmers will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis upon depositing a token amount of ₹5,000.
9. Vehicle Advance Limit for Judicial Officers Increased
The Cabinet has increased the vehicle advance limit for judicial officers from ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh. An advance equal to the actual cost of the vehicle or ₹10 lakh (whichever is lower) will be provided.
A simple interest of 5% will apply.
This step aims to improve facilities and enhance the efficiency of judicial officers.
Overall, the decisions taken in the UP Cabinet meeting are considered significant for strengthening administrative reforms, social security, agricultural benefits, industrial growth, and the judicial framework. These measures will directly benefit various sections of society, including farmers, senior citizens, entrepreneurs, employees, and ordinary citizens.
