The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, convened on Friday to discuss a wide range of policy decisions, passing a total of 20 proposals addressing social welfare, labour reforms, tenancy regulations, and administrative restructuring. The meeting also included the passage of a formal resolution condemning the recent bomb blast in Delhi, which claimed several lives earlier this week, and extended the government’s condolences to the families affected.

Strong Condemnation of the Delhi Blast

At the outset, the Cabinet unanimously adopted a resolution denouncing the attack near the Red Fort, calling it a “cowardly act” aimed at destabilising peace and security. Cabinet Minister Suresh Khanna briefed the press, stating that the government stood in solidarity with the victims and their families. The resolution expressed “deep grief and sympathy” and affirmed Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to cooperating with national agencies in safeguarding public safety.

The Cabinet emphasised the need for heightened vigilance and praised central agencies for their swift investigative response. The state government committed to strengthening inter-state coordination, particularly in matters related to intelligence, surveillance, and counter-terrorism.

Major Reform in Old-Age Pension System

One of the most significant decisions of the meeting was the approval of a sweeping reform to the old-age pension system in Uttar Pradesh. Under the existing structure, senior citizens have to apply for pensions separately, often encountering bureaucratic delays or documentation challenges. The new model eliminates the requirement for separate applications by shifting to an automatic identification system.

Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun announced that the government will use the ‘Ek Parivar, Ek Pahchan’ family ID database to identify eligible beneficiaries as they approach the age of 60. The system will digitally track individuals and initiate a consent request through multiple channels, including SMS, WhatsApp, and automated phone calls.

If a beneficiary does not respond digitally, government officials or designated local assistants will reach out personally to secure consent. Pension approval will then be completed within a strict 15-day timeframe, ensuring timely enrolment.

Once approved, payments will be directly transferred into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, minimising delays and reducing the potential for leakages or fraud. According to Arun, the government expects this system to drastically simplify the pension process and expand coverage to those who previously struggled to access benefits.

Shops and Commercial Establishments Act Expanded Statewide

The Cabinet also approved an important amendment to extend the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1962, to the entire state, including rural regions where the Act had previously been only partially applicable. Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar said that the revision aims to provide broader labour protections to workers across all districts without introducing undue compliance burdens on small establishments.

This expansion is expected to standardise labour practices, improve working conditions, and ensure more consistent enforcement of employee rights across both urban and rural areas.

Resolutions Congratulating Women’s Cricket Team

In addition to policy decisions, the Cabinet passed two ceremonial resolutions. The first congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team on winning their maiden World Cup title. The ministers hailed the achievement as a historic moment for Indian sports. Special recognition was extended to Deepti Sharma, a prominent member of the squad and a native of Uttar Pradesh, whose performance played a pivotal role in the team’s victory.

The second resolution formally condemned the Delhi blast once again, reiterating the government’s grief and condemnation of the incident.

Administrative Promotions and Regulatory Simplification

A series of administrative decisions were also taken during the session. Among them was the promotion of 156 private secretaries of the Allahabad High Court to Grade-1 positions, a move aimed at addressing stagnation and improving administrative efficiency within the judicial support system.

The Cabinet also approved revisions to state tenancy regulations. In a move designed to encourage formal rental agreements and reduce disputes, the government announced significant concessions on stamp duty and registration fees for rental contracts lasting up to 10 years.

According to the press statement, stamp duty on rental agreements valued at ₹2 lakh for a one-year term has been reduced to a flat ₹500. The government hopes that lowering these financial barriers will incentivise tenants and landlords to formalise agreements, leading to better regulatory oversight and fewer conflicts arising from informal arrangements.

Land Transfer for New Medical College

Another key decision involved the approval of a land transfer in Baghpat district. The Cabinet sanctioned the movement of 5.07 hectares of Fisheries Department land—excluding a disputed 0.53-hectare portion—to the Medical Education Department. The land will be used to establish a new medical college under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Officials stated that the new college aims to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in the region, address the shortage of medical professionals, and expand access to medical education for local students.

Amendment to UP Lekhpal Service Rules

To improve career progression prospects within the Lekhpal services, the Cabinet approved amendments to the UP Lekhpal Service Rules. Under the revised norms, 2 per cent of chainmen will now be eligible for promotion to the post of lekhpal. This measure is expected to boost morale and streamline the promotion process within the revenue administration.

A Day of Wide-Ranging Governance Decisions

Friday’s Cabinet session was marked by a combination of welfare-focused, administrative, and regulatory reforms. The automatic pension enrolment system is expected to significantly ease access to benefits for thousands of elderly citizens. Similarly, the tenancy reforms, expansion of labour legislation, and the establishment of a new medical college point toward broader goals of enhancing public services, regulatory clarity, and infrastructure development.

The dual resolutions—one condemning the act of terror in Delhi and the other celebrating a landmark achievement in women’s cricket—reflected the Cabinet’s engagement with both national concerns and cultural milestones.

As Uttar Pradesh continues its efforts to modernise administrative systems and strengthen governance frameworks, these decisions indicate a sustained focus on welfare delivery, institutional reform, and state-wide development.

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