In a major decision aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a one per cent discount in stamp duty on property worth up to one crore rupees, if it is purchased in the name of a woman. Till now, this exemption was applicable only on property up to 10 lakh rupees in the state, in which a maximum discount of 10,000 rupees was available. The decision in this regard was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow.  In a statement, the UP government said a total of 37 proposals were also passed in the meeting.  Giving information about the decision, UP’s Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar said that the government believes this decision will help middle-class women become property owners, which will not only increase their confidence but they will also make them financially more capable and respected in society.

Additionally, 858.11 crore rupees will be spent on civil infrastructure, with 45 institutes to be upgraded in the first phase. The project aims to integrate industry-aligned curricula and enhance students’ technical skills and employability. The government also decided to upgrade 121 government polytechnic institutes with the help of Tata Technologies Limited (TTL). An investment of 6,935.86 crore rupees will be made towards machines and equipment. The UP government also sanctioned the construction of the Chitrakoot Link Expressway with a total outlay of  939.67 crore rupees.  The 15 km initially four-lane expressway will connect Bharatkoop in Chitrakoot to Ahmadganj village, linking the Varanasi-Banda National Highway and NH 135 BG.