Dehradun, Sept. 12 -- Uttarakhand cabinet on Friday approved an increase in the monthly stipend for MBBS interns in the state from the existing Rs.17,000 to a minimum of Rs.25,000, with the government reiterating its commitment to making healthcare facilities accessible to people, including those living in remote and inaccessible areas. The cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Banshidhar Tiwari, additional secretary to the chief minister and director general of the department of information and public relations, shared details of the decisions taken during a press briefing. Currently, five government medical colleges are operational in Uttarakhand, in Srinagar, Haldwani, Dehradun, Haridwar and Almora, offering MBBS and postgraduate courses. Healthcare services at government medical colleges in Haldwani and Dehradun were affected after postgraduate (PG) interns and doctors who had completed their PG courses began an indefinite strike on Monday, demanding an increase in their stipends. According to the protesting doctors, around 735 PG interns and 600 doctors who have completed their PG courses had joined the agitation. The interns were demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from Rs.17,000 to Rs.30,000. The cabinet also approved a proposal to table the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission's annual report for 2024-25 before the state legislative assembly during its upcoming session. A separate proposal to table the commission's annual statement of accounts for 2024-25 before the legislature was also approved. The cabinet further approved amendments to the Uttarakhand Prison Administration and Reform Services Department Group 'A' and 'B' Service Rules, 2026. The amendment will incorporate the newly created post of additional inspector general (prisons), intended for the correctional wing under the prison department of the home department, into the cadre structure of the Uttarakhand Prison Administration and Reform Department. The cabinet approved the promulgation of the Uttarakhand Prison Administration and Correctional Services Department Group 'A' and 'B' Service Rules, 2026. The cabinet approved a revision in the fee rates payable to government advocates engaged in the Supreme Court, Uttarakhand high court at Nainital and subordinate courts in the state. The cabinet approved the promulgation of the Uttarakhand Legal Metrology (Enforcement) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, amending the 2012 rules. The amendment follows changes introduced by the Centre under its 'Deregulation Phase-II' reform programme, including initiatives aimed at reducing compliance requirements and establishing a trust-based regulatory framework. The changes to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, including amendments to Section 23, were implemented across the country from May 1, 2026. The state cabinet approved corresponding amendments to its rules. The cabinet also approved the creation of 33 posts of additional assistant teacher (physical education), Level-6, under the secondary education department. The posts will be created by surrendering 33 posts from the 1,898 sanctioned posts of assistant teacher (physical education), Level-7. This is intended to facilitate out-of-turn employment for gold medallists in international and national sports in gazetted and non-gazetted posts. In another decision related to sportspersons, the cabinet approved appointments to a total of 243 posts across the sports, youth welfare, home, transport, education and forest departments under the provisions of the Sports Policy, 2021. The policy provides for out-of-turn employment to medal-winning athletes at the international and national levels in gazetted and non-gazetted posts....