Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence in Lucknow on Wednesday, approved 24 major proposals covering agriculture, transport, law, prisons, and infrastructure development. The decisions aim to provide financial relief to citizens, strengthen governance systems, and boost industrial and public service efficiency across the state.
Maize MSP Fixed at ₹2400 per Quintal
One of the major decisions taken in the meeting was the approval of the maize procurement policy by the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize has been fixed at ₹2400 per quintal
- Government procurement will run from June 5 to July 31
- Procurement arrangements will be implemented in several districts across Uttar Pradesh
This move is expected to support farmers during the kharif procurement season and ensure fair pricing for maize growers.
Major Hike in Fees and Allowances of Government Lawyers
The cabinet also approved a significant revision in the remuneration structure of government advocates, marking the first major update since 2012–2016.
Key changes include:
- District-level government lawyers’ monthly retainership increased from ₹9,000 to up to ₹14,000
- Per hearing fee raised from ₹1,650 to ₹2,500
- Additional District Government Advocates’ retainership increased from ₹7,200 to ₹11,000
- Their hearing fee revised from ₹1,500 to ₹2,300
- Advocate General’s retainership increased from ₹75,000 to ₹1.25 lakh per month
- Per hearing fee increased from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000
The government stated that the revision was necessary due to long-standing stagnation in legal fees and rising workload.
Relief for Vehicle Owners Under One-Time Settlement Scheme
The Transport Department’s One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme was another major highlight of the cabinet decisions.
Key benefits include:
- 100% waiver of penalties
- Nearly 35% rebate on basic tax
- Benefit for over 8.48 lakh vehicle owners
- Total pending dues estimated at ₹1,853 crore, including ₹1,073 crore tax and ₹780 crore penalties
Additionally, a one-time tax system for light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes has been implemented from January 30, 2026, covering nearly 29.15 lakh registered vehicles.
Officials expect the scheme to significantly improve revenue recovery while reducing long-pending tax disputes.
New Jail Construction Approved in Five Districts
The cabinet also approved the construction of new prisons in five districts:
- Moradabad
- Kanpur Nagar
- Lalitpur
- Auraiya
- Bhadohi
Key highlights:
- Total cost: over ₹1,400 crore
- Additional capacity: 3,031 inmates
- New Kanpur Nagar jail to be built on 120.85 acres
- Project cost in Kanpur alone: ₹384.05 crore
- Facilities designed to be located outside city limits for improved security and capacity management
The decision comes in response to overcrowding in existing jails, particularly in Kanpur Nagar, where occupancy has consistently exceeded capacity in recent years.
New Policy on Compensation for Prisoner Deaths
The cabinet approved a new Prisoner Death and Compensation Payment Policy to ensure transparency and standardization in compensation procedures.
- Compensation will be provided in cases of unnatural deaths of prisoners
- Policy aims to improve accountability and streamline financial assistance to families
Expansion of Electric Bus Network Under GCC Model
Transport modernization was also part of the agenda, with approval for:
- Electric buses under the GCC model in 18 cities
- Introduction of air-conditioned electric buses in major urban areas
The initiative is part of the state’s broader push toward sustainable and cleaner urban transport systems.
Changes in Industrial Policy for Semiconductor Sector
The cabinet also approved amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Semiconductor Policy 2024, aimed at attracting high-value investments.
Key updates:
- Policy aligned with changing industrial requirements and national semiconductor mission
- Investors must commit to at least three years of production after commercial operations begin
- No additional financial burden on the state government expected
Officials said the revised policy will help Uttar Pradesh compete with other states in attracting semiconductor and electronics manufacturing projects.
Infrastructure and Administrative Approvals
Additional approvals include:
- Land allocation for a new registration office in Mohanlalganj
- Construction-related approvals for multiple departmental projects
- Initiatives across irrigation, excise, agriculture, and Namami Gange-related rural water supply schemes
Wide-Ranging Governance Decisions Approved
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet’s 24 approvals reflect a broad governance agenda covering agriculture support, transport reforms, legal system modernization, prison infrastructure expansion, and urban mobility improvements. The decisions are expected to benefit farmers, transport operators, legal professionals, and strengthen administrative systems across the state.
