Uttarakhand to set up department for welfare of minorities

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DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government today announced to form a separate department for the welfare of minorities. The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.

"For comprehensive development of the minority community, a separate department would be formed," said Alok Jain, principal secretary finance, Uttarakhand.

Several other decisions were also taken in the meeting. Jain said there will be no stamp fee on loans upto Rs 5 lakhs for agriculture sector.

"The previous government had fixed VAT on clothes at one per cent from four, however, keeping in mind opposition from cloth traders it had been suspended till March 31. Now the government has decided to stick with previous government's stand, till next order," Jain said. From now on girl students can avail free bus rides only when schools are open, he said. It has also been decided that "defunct" Garhwal Scheduled Tribes Nigam would be closed, Jain said.