In a major policy push, the Uttarakhand Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on Monday approved the state’s first Yoga Policy and a new system for cashless treatment under the Golden Card scheme for government employees, pensioners, and their dependents. 

The policy aims to integrate yoga into health and wellness programs, especially in remote areas, reported Amar Ujala

Five yoga hubs will be established across the state, with subsidies of up to 50% for institutions in hilly regions and 25% in the plains. Yoga instructors will be reimbursed ₹250 per session to encourage participation. The move aligns with the state’s broader push to promote preventive health under the Ayushman Bharat framework.

In healthcare reform, a ₹75 crore loan has been sanctioned to strengthen the Atal Ayushman Yojana. The new Golden Card system will make cashless treatment more efficient. Talks are underway to develop a comprehensive stakeholder-driven policy, officials said.

Cabinet decisions also focused on economic development. The procurement limit for local contractors in government departments was increased from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore to boost employment. Registered contractors in E and D categories and self-help groups will be eligible for more government work, up to ₹5 lakh.

The Cabinet also approved the Uttarakhand Mega Industrial Policy, which categorizes industries based on investment size. It promises subsidies from 10% to 15% tied to the creation of permanent jobs, targeting investments from ₹50 crore to over ₹1,000 crore.

Additionally, the state cleared the Service Sector Policy 2024, allowing subsidies only in regions where such institutions are absent. Lodging facilities for patient attendants in Dehradun and Haldwani medical colleges, modeled after AIIMS Rishikesh, were also approved to provide low-cost accommodation.

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