The state cabinet gave approval to two dozen proposals which included regularisation of temporary and daily wage employees, exempt of hoteliers from paying entertainment tax, slash in Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) among others.

The late night meeting held on on Wednesday chaired by chief minister Harish Rawat gave nod to these proposals at secretariat. Briefing reporters, chief secretary S Ramaswamy said the meeting approved the proposal to regularize services of 7,000 temporary and daily wage employees who have been serving in different departments for the last five years.

Ramaswami added that such employees will also get benefits at par with the permanent staff with effect from the date of their regularization. "Earlier, those who had completed five years of their service till December 31, 2013 were getting benefits on par with permanent staff. After last night's decision, now those who complete five years of service till December 31, 2016 will now be entitled to get same benefits post their regularisation," he said.

The cabinet also decided to exempt hoteliers from paying entertainment tax on providing cable TV and DTH services to their guests with immediate effect. The proposal to bring down rate of VAT imposed on ATF from 7% to 1% with immediate effect was also passed. The other important proposals include exemption of state share on excise duty imposed on different brands of liquor available in all Uttarakhand canteen stores department. This will help liquor like whisky, rum and beer cheaper by Rs 10-35 per bottle.

Decision to hike the fixed amount paid to international players who had participated in Olympics, Asiad, and other international events from Rs 1,000 each to Rs 7,500 each also got green signal. The medal winners, however, will be paid Rs 10,000 per month.

In another significant move aimed at the welfare of workers in Anganwadi centres across the state, the cabinet also finalized a proposal to grant them summer vacations.

Other proposals which were cleared by cabinet are Non Practising Allowance (NPA) for ayush doctors on the lines of other allopathic medical officers serving in different government hospitals like primary health centres and community health centres, jobs to next of kin in the event of death of a homeguard during service.