Dehradun, Nov. 27 -- The state cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of key decisions, including an increase in compensation for families of those killed in man-wildlife conflict, raising the amount from Rs.6 lakh to Rs.10 lakh. The decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Officials aware of the matter said the hike was approved by amending Rule 9(1) of the Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Distribution Fund Rules, 2024. Until now, the ex-gratia amount for human deaths stood at Rs.6 lakh. The proposal to enhance the compensation was earlier endorsed by the Governing Body of the Tiger Conservation Foundation for Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR). In view of the sensitivity of such cases and repeated demands for enhancement, the compensation for loss of life in wildlife attacks has been increased to Rs.10 lakh, officials said, adding that the chief minister had also made an announcement to this effect recently. The revised compensation will apply per deceased individual. The cabinet was also apprised of the suggestions given by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs on the proposed Metro Neo project for Dehradun. The matter was presented in continuation of a resolution adopted in the 34th Board meeting of the Uttarakhand Metro Rail Urban Infrastructure and Building Construction Corporation Limited. Officials said further guidance has been sought from the cabinet on the way forward. The housing department presented a proposal concerning the mandatory map approval process within the jurisdiction of development authorities. The cabinet directed that the matter be re-examined before a final decision is taken. In a major labour reform, the cabinet granted conditional approval for employing women in night shifts, from 9 pm to 6 am, in shops and establishments across the state. Officials said women can only be assigned night shifts after providing written consent, and employers must ensure adequate safety measures. The move is aimed at increasing work opportunities for women, promoting gender equality, and supporting their economic empowerment. The decision is part of amendments proposed through the Uttarakhand Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. Changes have been approved to Sections 1(2), 8, 9 and 19 of the 2017 Act to reduce administrative burden, promote investment, and offer flexibility in working hours. Officials said the amendments will not impose additional burdens on small establishments, while workers in larger establishments will continue to receive full legal benefits. The cabinet also approved placing the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board's Annual Report for 2024-25 before the State Legislature. The report contains the complete financial accounts and details of the Board's activities during the year. To strengthen legal representation in the state's courts, the cabinet also approved the creation of 46 additional posts of Assistant Prosecution Officers in the first phase. These new posts will be distributed across four districts-Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital. Officials said that after the formation of the state, 91 such posts had been created against a total sanctioned cadre strength of 142. The additional posts are expected to help improve the efficiency of prosecution, especially in cases before the high court. The cabinet also gave its nod to table the Annual Financial Report of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVN Ltd.) for 2022-23 in the upcoming Assembly session. The report, published under Section 395 of the Companies Act, 2013, is to be formally placed before the House in compliance with statutory requirements....