On Monday (May 18), the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, chaired by CM Yogi, approved 12 major proposals during a meeting in Lucknow. Newly inducted ministers Bhupendra Chaudhary and Manoj Pandey also attended the meeting.
The most important decision focused on the formation of an OBC commission for panchayat elections. The government approved the creation of a five-member commission to determine reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local body polls. A retired High Court judge will head the commission, and its term will last six months.
The commission will decide the reservation for panchayat seats based on population data and representation needs. Officials expect the report by November 2026. After that, the government will decide reservation and begin preparations for elections. This timeline makes it likely that panchayat elections will take place after the 2027 Assembly elections.
Why the OBC Commission Matters
The state government formed the commission to meet the Supreme Court’s “triple test” rule for OBC reservation in local body elections. The court had directed states to complete a detailed process before offering reservations in gram panchayats and district panchayats.
The commission will carry out three major tasks. First, it will collect data about the OBC population and study political representation at the block and panchayat level. Second, it will ensure total reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs does not cross the 50% limit. Third, it will recommend the number of reserved seats according to the OBC population in each local body.
The move also aims to avoid legal disputes. If the government announced reservation without the commission’s report, courts could stop the elections.
Panchayat Terms End This Month
The term of current panchayat members will end on May 25–26, 2026. UP held the last panchayat elections in 2021. Under constitutional rules, the state should complete fresh elections before the current term ends. However, the new commission process may delay elections.
The Allahabad High Court had ordered the state government on February 4, 2025, to form the commission.
Veterinary Students Get Higher Internship Stipend
The cabinet also increased internship allowances for veterinary students. Students pursuing BVSc and AH courses will now receive ₹12,000 per month instead of ₹8,000.
Every year, around 2,000 to 2,500 students take admission in veterinary colleges across UP. More than 10,000 students currently study veterinary science in the state.
Major Development Projects Approved
The cabinet cleared several infrastructure and healthcare projects. The government approved a new 1,010-bed multi-speciality emergency hospital, teaching block, and OPD block at the new campus of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow. The project will cost around ₹855 crore.
The government also approved land transfer for Corridor-2 of the Agra Metro project from Agra Cantt to Kalindi Vihar.
In Mirzapur, the state will build a major power substation and new electricity lines at a cost of ₹2,800 crore. The project aims to improve electricity supply for homes, industries, and businesses.
The cabinet also approved land transfer for the expansion of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj and gave final approval for the establishment of Sardar Patel Apex University in Mirzapur.
