The Uttarakhand Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has approved the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for government officers and employees in the state. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting held on Monday, according to officials. Employees will get 50% of the average basic pay drawn during the 12 months prior to retirement. Click here to open UPS Pension Calculator and Calculate your pension.
The Unified Pension Scheme has been introduced by the Central Government under the National Pension System (NPS) to provide government employees with a guaranteed pension payout after retirement. The scheme will come into effect from April 1, 2025. Click here to read all features of UPS Pension Scheme.
New Excise Policy 2025 Approved
In the same meeting, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the new Excise Policy 2025, introducing stricter regulations on liquor sales. The government has decided to ban liquor licenses near religious places, considering their significance. Additionally, sub-shops and the metro liquor sales system have been abolished to strengthen regulations and address public concerns.
To protect consumers, the policy states that if a liquor shop sells alcohol above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), its license can be canceled. The same MRP rule will also apply to departmental stores selling liquor.
The state has seen a significant increase in excise revenue over the past two years. The government has set a target of ₹5,060 crore for the financial year 2025-26. In 2023-24, the state earned ₹4,038.69 crore, exceeding the ₹4,000 crore target. For 2024-25, ₹4,000 crore has already been collected against the target of ₹4,439 crore.
Support for Writers and Literature
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also announced financial assistance for 45 writers this year as part of the government’s initiative to preserve literature and culture. The Uttarakhand Sahitya Bhushan Award and 21 new literary awards were introduced to recognize and support authors.
“This is not just financial assistance, but a reflection of our commitment, our resolve, and our objective towards the preservation of literature and culture,” CM Dhami said.
These decisions highlight the government’s focus on financial security for employees, stricter liquor regulations, and promoting cultural heritage in Uttarakhand.
