Lucknow, Nov. 15 -- The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Friday approved an increase in the State Advisory Price (SAP) for the sugarcane crushing season of 2025-26. The cabinet, chaired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, approved the SAP of Rs 400 per quintal for the advance variety, Rs 390 per quintal for the general variety and Rs 355 per quintal for another variety. The cabinet approved an amendment to the LoC (letter of comfort) given to Ashok Leyland. A senior officer said following the amendment, Ashok Leyand would increase its investment from Rs 152 crore to Rs 286 crore in the Lucknow unit. The cabinet approved an amendment to the Uttar Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act 1962 to enable its implementation across the state, instead of just in city limits. An official note said this would help in creating a favourable atmosphere for the ease of doing business and making UP a trillion-dollar economy. The amended law would cover all shops and establishments employing 20 or more workers. The working hours are being increased and overtime hours are being increased to 144 hours per quarter. The cabinet gave approval to the government's proposal for the promulgation of the Uttar Pradesh Lekhpal Service (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2025. Currently, 100% direct recruitment to the post of lekhpal is conducted by the Subordinate Services Selection Commission. A total of 30,837 lekhpal posts are sanctioned of which 21,897 are filled and 8,940 are vacant, said a state government spokesperson. The amendment will pave the way for the promotion of qualified and experienced personnel to 2% of the lekhpal posts through a selection committee. The personnel appointed as chainmen who have completed six years of service and have passed the intermediate or equivalent examination will be considered for promotion, he said. The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Friday approved the transfer of 5.07 hectares of land from the fisheries department to the medical education department for setting up a medical college in Baghpat under the public-private partnership model. HTC...