Union Cabinet gives nod to implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin

Union Cabinet has given its approval for the implementation of rural housing scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin. Under this scheme, financial assistance will be provided for the construction of pucca houses to all houseless and households living in dilapidated houses.
Key facts:

• The expenditure involved in implementing the project is Rs.81975 crore in a span of 3 years from 2016-17 to 2018-19.


• Under the scheme, it is proposed to provide assistance to 1 crore households for construction of pucca house. It will be implemented in rural areas throughout the country except in Delhi & Chandigarh.


• The beneficiaries will be identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC)-2011 data ensuring total transparency and objectivity.


• The cost of houses would be shared between Centre and States Governments in the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and hilly states.


• Under this scheme, annual list of beneficiaries will be identified from the total list through participatory process by Gram Sabha.


• Funds will be transferred electronically directly to the account of the beneficiary. He will be able to track the progress of his payments through the app.


• Inspection will be done though a mobile application. Locally appropriate house designs, will be mainly practised to address the natural calamities.


• The beneficiary is entitled to 90 days of unskilled labour from MGNREGA. This will be ensured through a server linkage between PMAY and MGNREGA.


• The additional requirement of building materials, bricks using cement stabilised earth or fly ash will be taken up under MGNREGA.


• National Technical Support Agency will be established to provide technical support to the Centre & States to ensure their quality of construction of the houses.

Background:

During the President’s address in the Joint Session of Parliament in May 2014, it was announced that every family will have a pucca house with water connection, 24×7 electricity supply, toilet facilities by the time the nation completes 75 years of its Independence (by 2022).

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Union Cabinet gives nod to implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin

Union Cabinet has approved World Bank’s $1500 million support to Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23rd March 2016 approved the 1500 million US dollar project of World Bank to support Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin .

The approval seeks to provide for the mechanism of incentivisation of States under the SBM-G through World Bank credit. The incentivisation of the States on the basis of their performance under the SBM-G was approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 September 2014.

Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs)

Under the project, the performance of the States will be gauged through certain performance indicators, called the Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs). Following are 3 DLIs.

• Reduction in the prevalence of open defecation: The funds under this result area shall be released to the States on the basis of reduction in prevalence of open defecation amongst rural house holds in the State, compared to the last year.

• Sustaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Villages: The funds under this result area, shall be released on the basis of estimated population residing in ODF villages.

• Increase in percentage of rural population served by improved Solid & Liquid Waste Management (SLWM): The funds under this will be based on the population served with acceptable level of SLWM services.

Further, the States will pass on more than 95 % of the Performance Incentive Grant Funds to the appropriate districts, Blocks, Gram Panchayats, etc levels. The end use of the incentive grants will be limited to activities pertaining to the sanitation sector.
What the Project will do?

• It will accelerate efforts to achieve sustained outcomes in sanitation by 2019.

• The incentive framework will reorient efforts of States towards the SBM-G ‘outcomes’

• It will also put in place a robust & credible independent verification system for annual measurement of improvement in rural sanitation.

• It will support the SBM-G programme in achievement of its objectives of attaining open defecation- free and clean environment.

• It will ensure a better quality of life for rural population.
Background:

The proposed Project is not a new scheme. It is part of the existing SBM-G, wherein Performance based Incentive Grant Scheme is proposed to be launched through World Bank support credit funds.

The project comes in the background of acceleration of efforts under Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin which has a goal to accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage, improve cleanliness and eliminate open defecation in rural India by 2019.

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Union Cabinet has approved World Bank’s $1500 million support to Swachh Bharat Mission - Gramin

Union Cabinet has approves the raising of 17 Indian Reserve Battalions

The Union Cabinet has been approved proposal of raising of 17 Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBs) in  Indian Reserve Battalions and Four Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states.Decision in this regard was taken by Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Key facts:

• 17 IRBs includes 5 battalions in J&K, four in Chhattisgarh, three each in Jharkhand, Odisha and three in Maharashtra.


• The major thrust in raising these IRBs will be by recruiting local youths. State Government can relax age & educational criteria if required.


• In case of Five IRBs of Jammu &Kashmir, 60 Percent of the vacancies for the posts of constables and class 4 will be filled from the state’s border districts.


• In case of LWE states, 75 percent of the vacancies of constables will be fille 6d up from 27 core districts under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme.

About Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme:

• The Union Government had introduced scheme of Indian Reserve Battalions in 1971. It is a non-plan scheme.


• The objective of the scheme is to supplement the efforts of the states to deal with the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) i.e. naxalite problem effectively.


• Under it, so far government has sanctioned 153 IRBs in the various states of which 144 IRBs have been raised.


• 1 IRB in Jharkhand has been converted into Specialized Indian Reserve Battalion (SIRB) which is having 2 engineering companies and 5 security companies.

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Union Cabinet has approves the raising of 17 Indian Reserve Battalions

The Union Cabinet clears President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh

Union cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recommended imposition of President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh under the Article 356 (1) of the Constitution. Proposal in this regard has been forwarded to President Pranab Mukherjee after the Union Government felt that Congress ruled state is heading for a constitutional breakdown.
Key facts:

• The Union Government took this decision after state assembly failed to comply with the provisions of Article 174 (sessions of the state legislature, prorogation and dissolution) of the Constitution.


• As per the provisions of Article 174, the session of state assembly was to be held in 21st January 2016, 6 months after the last sitting.


• But the state assembly failed to comply with this provision which may led to constitutional breakdown.

Background:

The political crisis in the north eastern hill state began in December 2015 after 21 out of 47 ruling Congress legislators in the Sixty member house rebelled along with 11 BJP and Two independent legislators and extended support to Kalikho Pul to form new government. Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa also had advanced the date of the convening of the assembly session in order check the majority of ruling government in the assembly.

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The Union Cabinet clears President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh

Union Cabinet approves amendments of Power Tariff Policy to promote clean energy

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Union Ministry of Power for amendments in the Power Tariff Policy 2006. The comprehensive amendments bring required changes for holistic view of the power sector and also to achieve the objectives of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) with the focus on 4 Es.

These 4 Es are:

Electricity for all, Environment for a sustainable future, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs, Ensure financial viability and Ease of doing business to attract investments.
Key Highlights:

• Electricity 24X7 power supply will be ensured to all consumers. In this case state governments & regulators will devise appropriate power supply trajectory to achieve this.


• Micro Grids will provide power to remote unconnected villages. It will have provision for purchase of power into the grid.


• People near coal mines will be provided with affordable power through procurement of power from coal washery reject based plants.


• Efficiency Reduce power cost to consumers through expansion of the existing power plants. For reduction in overall power cost, benefit from sale of un-requisitioned power to be shared.


• Through competitive bidding process, transmission projects will be developed in order to ensure faster completion at very lower cost.


• To enable Time of Day metering installations of smart meters will be fasten. It will help to reduce theft & allow net-metering. Creating transmission capacity for accessing power from across India for lower power cost.

Environment

• Renewable Power Obligation (RPO):


• By March 2022, 8 percent of electricity consumption shall be from solar energy in order to promote renewable energy & energy security.


• Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO):
  
  New thermal plants based coal/ligniteto establish/purchase/ procure renewable capacity. Transmission charges and losses will be not levied for solar & wind power between inter-State power transmission. 100 percent power procurement produced from Waste to Energy plants in order to give big boost to Swachh Bharat Mission.


• Ease of Doing Business:


• Investments will be encouraged in coal rich states like West Bengal(WB), Odisha, Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh to generate employment.

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Union Cabinet approves amendments of Power Tariff Policy to promote clean energy

Union Cabinet approves Policy on Promotion of City Compost

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to Policy on Promotion of City Compost.This policy will help in circulating compost produced from city waste for the purpose of farming & agriculture.
Key features of Policy:

• For increasing production & consumption of City Compost, provision for Market development assistance of Rs. 1500 per tonne of city compost has been added.


• Farmers will be benefitted from lower MRP of city compost as result of Market development assistance. To ensure that environment friendly quality city compost, eco Mark standard has been made mandatory.


• Fertilizer companies will co-market City Compost along with chemical fertilizers. For promoting the use of compost, these companies will adopt villages.


• It will be mandatory for public Sector undertakings and Government Departments to use City Compost for purpose of their horticulture.


• Concerned Ministries will undertake campaigns to create awareness amoung farmer about benefits of city compost and its uses.


• Agriculture Universities and other departments will also contribute in demonstration activities related to use of City compost.


• In the initial phase, promotion and marketing of city compost will be done through the existing fertilizer companies.


• But later, it will be done by the compost manufacturers and other marketing entities after the approval from Department of Fertilisers.


• Benefits Composting is process of recycling of organic matter or waste into useful fertilizers for soil. Compost obtained from city garbage will provide primary as well as secondary nutrients to soil improving its productivity.


• It will play pivotal role municipal waste management especially keeping the city clean and also generate revenue from the waste.


• It will also generate employment in urban areas as compare the rural areas. Prevent the production of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) especially methane (CH4) and toxic material. Thus, keeping environment and groundwater clean.

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Union Cabinet approves Policy on Promotion of City Compost

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana approved by the Union Cabinet

Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a new crop insurance scheme to boost the farming sector in the country.It is farmers’ welfare scheme that aims to reduce the premium burden on farmers and ensure early settlement of crop assurance claim for the full insured sum.
Highlights of Scheme

• Uniform premium:
  
  Farmers will pay uniform premium of 2% for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops.


• In case of annual horticultural & commercial crops, farmers will pay 5% premium. These premium rates are very low.


• Government will pay balance premium to provide the full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities.


• Government subsidy:


• There will be no upper limit subsidy given by the Government even if balance premium is 90%. Capping the Premium:


• The provision of capping the premium rate has been removed and farmers will get claim against full sum insured without any reduction.


• It was removed as it resulted in low claims being paid to farmers and was mainly done to limit Government outgo on the premium subsidy.


• Use of technology:
  
  Government will encourage use of technology especially Smart phones and remote sensing to a great extent.


• In order to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers, smart phones will be used to capture & upload data of crop cutting.


• To reduce the number of crop cutting experiments remote sensing will be used. Comment The new Crop Insurance Scheme has been formulated in line with One Nation–One Scheme theme.


• It replaces existing 2 schemes viz. National Agricultural Insurance Scheme and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) by removing their inherent drawbacks and in-corporating the best features of all previous schemes.

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Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana approved by the Union Cabinet

Union Cabinet gives nod to establish 6 new IITs across the country

The Union Cabinet has been approved proposal of setting up of 6 new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across the country. The 6 new IITs would be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, J&K, Kerala & Karnataka.
Key facts:

• In its 1st year, each new IIT will have an initial intake of 180 students and each IIT will have a sanctioned faculty-student ratio of 1:10.


• In the 2nd year, the intake strength would increase to 450 and subsequently in the 3rd year to 928 (840 Undergraduates, 80 Postgraduates & 8 PhD).


• Each new IIT would function from temporary campus for the initial period of Three years and later shift permanent campuses in the Fourth year.


• The Union Cabinet also gave its approval for operationalisation of these new 6 IITs initially by forming of Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.


• This provision will be mainly to give them legal status till the amendment in The Institutes of Technology (IIT) Act, 1961 is enacted for their incorporation.

Background:

• Currently, IIT Act, 1961 contains no provision to enable establishment of new IITs. So for establishment of every new IIT, enactment of amendment is necessary to the Act from the Parliament.

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Union Cabinet gives nod to establish 6 new IITs across the country

Union Cabinet approved MoU with Israel on water resources management & development co-operation

The Union Cabinet presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd December 2015 gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India & Israel in the field of water resources management & development co-operation.

The Ministry of Water Resources decided to have an agreement with Israel to benefit from the country’s experience and expertise, keeping in view the success of Israel in water use efficiency, micro irrigation, reuse of waste water, desalination, aquifer recharge, and so on.
Highlights of the MoU:

• The bilateral co-operation will benefit both the countries in strengthening the techniques in efficient use of water, micro irrigation, recycling/re use of waste water, desalination, aquifer recharge & in-situ water conservation techniques.

• A Joint Working Group will be formed to monitor the activities to be carried out in fulfilment of the MoU.

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Union Cabinet approved MoU with Israel on water resources management & development co-operation

UDAY Scheme for financial restructuring package for power DISCOMs has been approved by Union Cabinet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi when chaired with Union Cabinet has given its nod to Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY) for financial reestablishment of debt of power distribution companies.Objective of this schemes is for financial turnaround and improvement of (DISCOMs)Power Distribution companies and also ensures a sustainable permanent solution to the problem.

About UDAY scheme

This scheme allows power Distribution Companies DISCOMs to convert their debt into state bonds in selected states  as well as rise number of measures to upgrade efficiency at power plants.

It Seeks to ensure that struggling DISCOMs can clear years of losses and start on a path to profitability.

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UDAY Scheme for financial restructuring package for power DISCOMs has been approved by Union Cabinet

Union Cabinet sign agreement with UNESCO

Union Cabinet gave its nod to a proposal to sign agreement with UNESCO for foundation of a Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia Pacific region. This centre will be established as a category-2 centre of the UN body at the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. By signing this agreement WII Dehradun will be 1st existing institute to be accorded recognition by UNESC. It will be also the 1st institute to get natural heritage recognition by the UNESCO as currently there are 9 C2C institutes related to cultural heritage. It should be noted that this agreement has been consider by the Union Environment Ministry. While, Union Government will provide capacity building for establishing this centre in order to support countries in the region for up keeping of heritage and natural sites.Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia Pacific region will be provide the Services for evaluation and preparation of proposals for new cultural and heritage sites in Asia Pacific region. Capacity building and training on management and monitoring of heritage sites. Thus its establishment will have a catalytic effect in case of improving management of heritage sites in the country. Now, India has 32 UNESCO heritage sites of which 7 are natural sites and 25 are cultural sites.
Implications:

Operationalization of the UNESCO C2C at WII, Dehradun will enable India to establish leadership in the Asia Pacific region that comprises of around the 50 countries. This leadership will be in matters related to management, identification and monitoring of world heritage sites and to build capacity of a range of professionals and stakeholders.

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Union Cabinet sign agreement with UNESCO

Kaladan Multi Modal Project in Myanmar : Union Cabinet gives nod to RCE

2904.04 crore rupees Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) for the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar has been approved by the Union Cabinet .This Decision was taken at Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Naredra Modi in New Delhi,India.

About Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project
Objective: To built a multi-modal way of transport for cargo shipment from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar. It will contribute towards the regional economic development and provide an alternate access route to India’s north east region.

The strategic link will promote commercial, economic and strategic links between Myanmar and India as it will connect North-East, thereby reducing pressure on the Siliguri Corridor.

 

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Kaladan Multi Modal Project in Myanmar : Union Cabinet gives nod to RCE

Union Cabinet approved India-Taipei MoU on MSME

The Union Cabinet has approved the MoU between the dia-Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei and Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India. This decision was taken at Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Key facts of MoU

Promote the partnership between the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) between the two signatory parties.

Provide a favourable environment and structured framework to the MSME sector of the two parties in order to understand each other’s policies, markets ,strengths, technologies,etc.

Hold an agreement to enable their respective MSMEs to participate in each other’s trade fairs and exhibitions in order to exchange business.

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Union Cabinet approved India-Taipei MoU on MSME