THECabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Tuesday approved several key policy and financial decisions aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure, promoting self employment, enhancing forestry activities and reforming the state’s administrative structure. The meeting, held at the Secretariat, focused on long-term development and governance reforms across multiple sectors. Under an important decision to ensure smooth functioning of urban mass transit systems, the Cabinet approved a budget pro vision of Rs 90 crore 67 lakh under the revenue head for the financial year 2025-26 for the operation and maintenance of the Bhopal and Indore Metro Rail Projects.

 

The allocation is expect ed to support day-to-day operations, maintenance of rolling stock and infrastructure, and ensure safe, efficient and reliable metro services for commuters in both cities. In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the continuation of the Chief Minister’s Udyam Kranti Yojana for the period from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total expenditure approval of Rs 905.25 crore. The scheme aims to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among the state’s youth by providing bank loans ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 50 lakh.

 

Local youth in the age group of 18 to 45 years are eligible to benefit from the scheme. Under its provisions, the state government will provide an interest subsidy of 3 per cent per annum along with a loan guarantee fee subsidy for a period of up to seven years, thereby reducing the financial burden on first-time entrepreneurs and encouraging sustainable livelihoods. The Cabinet also approved Rs 48 crore for the establishment of six Forest Science Centres in the state during the period from the financial year 2025-26 to 2029 30.

 

These centers will focus on promoting forestry expansion activities outside notified forest areas, improving productivity of forest land and creating additional income opportunities through scientific timber harvesting. The initiative will also work towards raising public awareness, promoting tree farming and encouraging agroforestry practices. Non-government organisations will also be permitted to establish Forest Science Centers with prior approval of the Forest Department.

 

Additionally, the Cabinet approved significant administrative reforms by granting approval to eliminate the dis tinction between sanctioned permanent and temporary posts in various state government departments. Necessary provisions will be made in service recruitment rules to convert existing sanctioned temporary posts into permanent posts. It was also decided to declare all posts under work-charged and contingency establishments as non-sanctioned and to dis continue new appointments under these categories, a move aimed at streamlining service structures and improving administrative efficiency.