LUCKNOW, July 7 -- The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved the Mukhyamantri Risk Management and Livestock Insurance Scheme to protect farmers, livestock owners and dairy operators from financial losses caused by the death, disability or accidental loss of livestock. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath chaired the Cabinet meeting, which approved a budgetary provision of Rs.60 crore for the scheme in 2026-27. Under the scheme, the state government will bear 85% of the insurance premium, while beneficiaries will contribute the remaining 15%. A total of 2,28,350 animals will be insured under the scheme, including 1,86,800 under the General Component and 41,550 under the SCSP Component. Dairy Development minister Dharampal Singh said the scheme would cover livestock owned by small and marginal farmers, landless livestock owners, dairy farmers and other eligible beneficiaries. Financial assistance will be provided if an insured animal dies due to an epidemic, natural disaster or accident, or becomes permanently unfit for use. He said insurance claims will be transferred directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts after approval. In cases of permanent disability, the insurance company will pay up to 75% of the insured amount. The scheme will be implemented in all 75 districts. Singh said the Centre will bear 51% of the premium, the state 34%, while beneficiaries will contribute 15%. Insurance companies have been directed to settle claims within one month. The minister also said the state has around 7,500 cow protection centres sheltering nearly 13.5 lakh cattle, with the government spending about Rs.8 crore daily on their upkeep. The Cabinet also approved an increase in washing allowances for uniformed personnel of prisons, the Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad marshals, and other eligible services. Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said the decision would cost the state exchequer an additional Rs.20 crore annually. The washing allowance for AIGs and DIGs of prisons has been increased from Rs.7,500 to Rs.11,250. The same revised allowance will apply to superintendents of central jails. For deputy jailors, the allowance has been raised from Rs.3,000 to Rs.4,500. The Cabinet also approved payment of uniform allowance every five years instead of the existing seven-year cycle. The Cabinet approved proposals allowing the Gorakhpur and Moradabad municipal corporations to raise funds through municipal bonds. Gorakhpur Nagar Nigam will issue bonds worth Rs.80 crore, while Moradabad Nagar Nigam will raise Rs.50 crore through the bond route....