Chitrakoot Link Expressway, Smart Schools and reservation for Ex-Agniveers approved
Loans up to Rs 6 lakh for Farmers at 6% interest, cashless treatment facility for PRD Personnel
Lucknow, September 2026 : At a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Chief Minister’s residence on Tuesday, 23 important proposals related to development and public welfare were approved. The decisions included proposals such as the Chitrakoot Link Expressway, developing council schools into smart schools, promoting the toy industry, providing affordable loans to farmers, and reserving seats for ex-Agniveers in government recruitment.
The meeting also took decisions related to infrastructure, education, employment, agriculture, healthcare and industrial development. Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna shared details of the approved proposals at a press conference.
The Cabinet approved the revised project proposal to develop the Chitrakoot Link Expressway. The 15.172-km-long, access-controlled, six-lane greenfield expressway will be constructed in EPC mode. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,008.67 crore, which the state government will bear entirely. The state will invite a global bid to select the construction agency. The project is expected to improve travel from Bundelkhand to Chitrakoot Dham and boost tourism.
The proposal to develop council primary schools under the Basic Education Council as smart schools was also approved. This will help improve the education system in government primary schools and provide students with modern educational facilities.
The government decided to provide long-term loans to small and marginal farmers at a concessional interest rate under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana. Through the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Limited, farmers will be provided loans of up to Rs 6 lakh for a long period at an annual interest rate of 6%. This will help farmers get financial assistance at affordable rates for agricultural and rural needs.
The Yogi Cabinet approved a proposal to reserve 20% of posts for ex-Agniveers in the direct recruitment of Uttar Pradesh Jail Wardens. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to provide ex-Agniveers 20% horizontal reservation and relaxation in the age limit in the direct recruitment of Enforcement Constables (Transport). These decisions will provide government employment opportunities to youth who have completed their military service.
The Cabinet decided to provide cashless treatment to Provincial Armed Constabulary (PRD) volunteers and their dependent family members under the Mukhyamantri PRD Cashless Chikitsa Yojana. This will provide financial relief to PRD personnel and their families during treatment.
The Cabinet meeting approved the Uttar Pradesh Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025. The policy will help promote the toy manufacturing industry in the state, attract investment and increase employment opportunities.
Other important decisions
Industrial development and employment
* The proposal to increase the limits of financial powers of officials under the financial rules for the speedy and effective execution of works in the engineering departments of Uttar Pradesh was approved.
* Approval was given for the establishment of a 120 KLPD ethanol production plant through concession-cum-lease by Chhata Sugar Company Limited of Uttar Pradesh State Sugar Corporation Limited in Mathura district.
* Approval was given to a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government, Department of Fisheries, Uttar Pradesh, and WorldFish for the implementation of the WorldFish project in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.
Security and Administration
* Approval was given for the free allocation of approximately 65 acres of barren land in Village Pure Lal Khan, located in Milkipur tehsil of Ayodhya, to the Government of India for establishing a Regional Centre of the National Security Guard (NSG).
* A proposal was approved to provide exemption from effective stamp duty and registration fees on tenancy/lease deeds for a period of up to 10 years.
Rural development and public welfare
* Approval was given to amendments in the policy relating to the establishment of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) for testing vehicles to ensure the technical fitness of vehicles in the state.
* The proposal to increase the duty allowance rate for volunteers of the Provincial Armed Guard (PRD) was approved.
* A decision was taken to provide an additional margin money of Rs 25 per quintal to fair price shop dealers in the state, based on the quantity of foodgrains distributed.
Urban development
* Approval was given to the proposal for sanctioning funds for the development of Lucknow, Unnao and Raebareli under the Mukhyamantri Shahari Vistarikaran/Naye Shahar Protsahan Yojana.
* Approval was given to the proposal regarding the completion of the approved Hi-Tech Township project in Lucknow.
Yogi Cabinet approves Chitrakoot Link Expressway, Rs 1,008.67 crore to be spent
15.172-kilometre-long six-lane greenfield expressway to be constructed
Travel from Bundelkhand to Chitrakoot Dham to become easier, tourism to gain momentum
The Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the revised proposal for the Chitrakoot Link Expressway. A total of Rs 1,008.67 crore will be spent on the construction of this access-controlled six-lane greenfield expressway. The entire cost of the project will be borne by the State Government. No financial participation from the Central Government has been proposed in the project.
Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said that the Chitrakoot Link Expressway will be 15.172 kilometres long. It will be constructed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The Expenditure Finance Committee had evaluated the cost of the revised proposal for capital expenditure components, which has now been approved by the Cabinet. Following approval of the project, the process for selection of the construction agency will begin. Global bids will be invited for this purpose. After completion of the selection process, the construction work of the expressway will be taken forward.
The construction of the Chitrakoot Link Expressway is expected to make travel easier and faster from the starting point of Bundelkhand to Chitrakoot Dham. This will provide better transportation facilities to travellers coming from remote areas. As an access-controlled six-lane expressway, it will offer passengers the benefit of smooth and organised travel. Chitrakoot Dham is an important destination from religious and tourism perspectives. The construction of the expressway will improve connectivity for devotees and tourists visiting the site. It is expected to accelerate tourism activities and promote the economic development of the region. The project can also play an important role in the development of Bundelkhand.
Incentives to be provided for setting up Toy industries in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Madhyanchal
Yogi Cabinet approves Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025, giving a boost to the Toy Industry in UP
Yogi govt focuses on increasing employment opportunities for artisans, women and rural communities
The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, approved the Uttar Pradesh Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025. The policy aims to establish Uttar Pradesh as a major hub for toy manufacturing, promote new industries, and increase employment opportunities in toy clusters. The policy will promote toy manufacturing, marketing, and technological upgrades in the state.
Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said, "Uttar Pradesh holds an important position, particularly in the field of toy manufacturing. The state contributes around 50 percent of India’s exports of articles related to Indian festivals and festivities (HS 9505). Varanasi, Jhansi and Chitrakoot are renowned for their GI-tagged lacquerware and handmade wooden toys. The sector is an important source of employment for artisans, women and rural communities. By promoting toy manufacturing and marketing as key areas of development, the policy can utilize skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled human resources more effectively. This will increase employment and skill development opportunities in toy clusters."
Under the policy, toy manufacturing units will receive an incentive-based support framework. The policy will focus on providing land and infrastructure to support the expansion, diversification, and technological upgrades of existing industries.
Along with assistance for setting up new enterprises, the government will also support MSMEs and large industries. Special incentives will be provided to set up toy industries in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand, and Madhyanchal regions. This will promote industrial activity in these regions and create local employment opportunities.
Under the Uttar Pradesh Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025, incentives will be provided to micro, small and medium enterprises as per the MSME classification, along with large and higher-category toy manufacturing units and toy cluster enterprises. Eligible units in the MSME category will receive incentives prescribed under the Uttar Pradesh MSME Promotion Policy-2022 and, if it becomes ineffective, under the subsequent policy in force. Meanwhile, new units established in the large and higher categories, as well as units undertaking expansion and diversification, will receive incentives under the proposed policy. These policies will be implemented through Invest UP.
Under the policy, eligible toy manufacturing units will receive the prescribed incentives once they begin commercial production. The proposal also includes provisions for front-end subsidy. This is expected to encourage the establishment and expansion of the state's toy industry.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department (MSME) of the Uttar Pradesh government will implement the policy. Incentives related to large and higher-category industries will be implemented through Invest UP.
The Uttar Pradesh Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025 will remain in force for five years from the date of its promulgation or until the government promulgates a new policy, whichever is earlier. Projects receiving incentives under this policy will not be eligible for incentives under any other policy of the state government. However, incentives available under schemes and policies of the Government of India may be availed in addition to these.
Key benefits of the Policy
* Help position Uttar Pradesh as a major hub for toy manufacturing.
* Promote the establishment of industries in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Madhyanchal.
* Create additional employment opportunities in toy clusters.
* Provide economic opportunities to artisans, women and rural communities.
* Support expansion and technological upgradation of MSMEs and large industries.
* Promote skill development in the field of toy manufacturing and marketing.
