Page 7 - Cabinet

As MPs, Union ministers win Assembly elections, how likely are by-polls?

Resignation from Lok Sabha, replacing Union ministers and possible cabinet reshuffle months ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024, are all on the table, with BJP MPs stating state Assembly seats

Cabinet okays continuation of fast-track special courts for another 3 yrs

The Union Cabinet has given its nod for continuing fast track special courts for another three years for delivering swift justice in cases involving sexual offences. After the passage of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act in 2018 in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya gangrape case in Delhi, the Centre had decided to set up 1,023 fast-track special courts, including 389 to deal exclusively with cases related to violations of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in 31 states and Union territories. The scheme was launched on Gandhi Jayanti in 2019 for one year and was later extended for an additional two years until March 31 this year. A government functionary had earlier said despite the Centre's efforts, only 754 of the 1,023 courts were operational. While several states had assured the Centre they would set up such courts, not many were eventually operationalised. On Tuesday, the Cabinet gave its nod to extend the scheme by three more years, with financial implica

Ensuring smart governance, Tripura Chief Minister launches e-cabinet system

Saha emphasized that the state government is actively pursuing e-Office implementation in mission mode, inspired by PM Narendra Modi's vision

Govt clears eCourts Project phase-III, with financial outlay of Rs 7,210 cr

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the third phase of eCourts Project as a central sector scheme with a financial outlay of Rs 7,210 crore to be implemented over four years. Briefing media after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the eCourts Mission Mode Project is the prime mover for improving access to justice using technology in line with the PM's vision of "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas". As part of the National eGovernance Plan, the eCourts Project is under implementation since 2007 for ICT enablement of the Indian Judiciary. The Phase II of the project has concluded in 2023. Phase III of the e-Courts Project, beginning 2023, in India is rooted in the philosophy of "access and inclusion", the minister said. The third phase is aimed at ushering in a regime of maximum ease of justice by moving towards digital, online and paperless courts through digitisation of the entire court reco

Cabinet approves eCourts project phase-III with cost of Rs 7,210 crore

The eCourts project has been under implementation since 2007 for ICT enablement of the Indian Judiciary. The Phase II of the project has concluded in 2023

Cabinet approves Rs 9,589 cr FDI in Suven Pharma by Cyprus bases firm

The government on Wednesday approved a foreign investment of up to Rs 9,589 crore in Suven Pharmaceuticals by Cyprus-based Berhyanda Ltd. The approval is for acquisition of up to 76.1 per cent shares of Suven Pharmaceuticals by Berhyanda by way of transfer of shares from existing promoter shareholders and public shareholders through mandatory open offer, an official release said after the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The aggregate foreign investment may increase to up to 90.1 per cent in Suven, the release said. The proposal has been evaluated by Sebi, RBI, CCI and other relevant agencies. The release further said the approval has been granted after examination of the proposal by departments concerned, RBI and Sebi and is subject to the fulfilment of all rules and regulations as applicable in this regard. Total foreign direct investment (FDI) in the pharmaceutical sector has been Rs 43,713 crore during last five years (from 2018-19 to 2022-23). The sector has

Cabinet passes resolution to congratulate PM on success of G20 Summit

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a resolution congratulating and thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the entire country for making the G20 Summit a huge success, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said. Thakur also said the prime minister has emerged as a "man of global alliances", referring to the launch of Global Biofuels Alliance after earlier successes related to International Solar Alliance and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). Briefing media after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi, Thakur said the resolution relate to G20 Summit was moved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was passed unanimously. The Cabinet noted the successful hosting of the G20 Summit was a matter of great pride for the entire country with several initiatives proposed by Prime Minister Modi such as the launch of Global Biofuels Alliance and the inclusion of African Union in the bloc being adopted with a consensus, the minister said. "The G20 ..

Cabinet approves Rs 1,100 cr for industrial dev scheme for HP, Uttarakhand

The cabinet on Wednesday approved additional allocation of over Rs 1,100 crore for the industrial development scheme, 2017 for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, sources said. The additional fund was required to meet the liabilities under the scheme up to 2028-29. Under this scheme, the total financial outlay was Rs 131.90 crore. A decision in this regard was taken in the meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they said. The government provides different incentives under the scheme to companies for investment in these two states, they added. The incentives include access to credit and insurance.

Centre cuts LPG cylinders price by Rs 200 for PMUY beneficiaries

In July, oil companies increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by Rs 50. Earlier, the prices were increased twice in the month of May

MP Cabinet expansion on cards, 3 to 4 new members likely to get in

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is expected to expand his cabinet soon, a senior leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Thursday, an exercise planned just months ahead of assembly polls. Three to four new members are likely to be inducted in the cabinet of Chouhan, whose current term in office started in March 2020, said the BJP leader. The names of ex-ministers Rajendra Shukla -- a Brahmin leader and the MLA from Rewa in the Vindh region and Gaurishankar Bisen -- the legislator from Balaghat in the Mahakoshal region who is chairman of the MP Backward Class Commission, have almost been finalised for induction in the cabinet, he said. Deliberations are on between Chouhan and senior party functionaries over the induction of Rahul Singh Lodhi and former MP minister Jalam Singh --- both from the OBC community who make up more than 45 per cent of Madhya Pradesh's population, said the BJP leader. Lodhi, a first-time MLA from Khargapur in Tikamgarh .

Will soon seek Cabinet nod for green hydrogen consumption order: R K Singh

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will soon seek Union Cabinet's approval for a mandate on the use of green hydrogen in different industries. As per the consumption mandate, various industries especially petroleum, steel and fertilizers, would be mandated to consume certain proportion of green hydrogen. At present various industries use hydrogen produced using energy from non-fossil fuel-based sources. "Basically that (green hydrogen consumption) mandate fixation is in process. By and large, we have had the discussions and we have come up with some figures, and we will go to the cabinet soon," Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said at the BNEF Summit here. "We have had discussions with the concerned ministries on this," he said, adding that most ministries want the mandates to be small to start with, "but I want a larger mandate for obvious reasons". The minister explained that the government amended the Energy Conservation Act, which gives power to

PM-eBus Sewa to act as catalyst for EV promotion across urban centres: SMEV

The PM-eBus Sewa will act as a catalyst for promotion of electric vehicles across urban centres to drive the penetration of electric mobility, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) said on Thursday. "Buses being a pivotal source of urban pollution, the decision will help substantially reduce pollution levels and consequential carbon emissions," SMEV Director General Sohinder Gill said in a statement. "Moreover, this strategic manoeuvre is set to act as a catalyst for the promotion of electric vehicles across diverse urban centres, enabling a more extensive embrace of electric mobility," he said. The initiative holds the potential to generate direct employment opportunities and help upskilling existing resources, he said, adding that the scheme will also introduce economies of scale for the procurement of electric buses. It will also play an instrumental role in propelling India towards self-reliance, environmental stewardship, and its envisioned status as a hub for E

Cabinet approves funding for railways, e-buses, digital India | Key points

Union Minister Anurag Thakur said Rs 57,613 crores will be spent on PM-eBus Sewa, and the Centre will provide Rs 20,000 crore for the scheme

Govt approves Rs 13,000 cr PM Vishwakarma scheme, will benefit 3 mn workers

Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 13,000 crore PM Vishwakarma scheme that will benefit about 30 lakh traditional artisans and craftsmen, including weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement about the scheme in his Independence Day address on Tuesday. Under the scheme, craftsmen will be provided a subsidised loan of Rs 1 lakh in the first tranche, and another Rs 2 lakh in the second tranche, communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said after the Cabinet meeting. The loans will be provided at a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent. On Tuesday, the prime minister announced that the scheme will be launched on Vishwakarma Jayanti on September 17.

Cabinet approved Rs 1.3 trillion Bharatnet package: Top DoT official

A new operational model has been adopted to cover 640,000 villages under Bharatnet within next 2 years

Cabinet clears Telecommunication Bill, may not be tabled in current session

The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared the Indian Telecommunication Bill 2023, but the government may not table it in the current Parliament session, according to sources. According to sources, the government has relaxed a significant part of internet-based calling and messaging services from the ambit of telecom rules. "Cabinet has cleared Indian Telecommunication Bill 2023 but the government is not in a hurry to table it in the current session," a source, who did not wish to be identified, said. The government had proposed to include internet-based communication services, in-flight and maritime connectivity services, interpersonal communications services, machine-to-machine communication services and over-the-top (OTT) communication services under the ambit of telecom service in the draft Bill floated for public consultation. The government during the consultation process had said that users' protection will be a key focus of the Indian Telecommunication Bill. The bill seek

Delhi Cabinet approves ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 to flood-affected families

An ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 will be provided to the families affected by the floods in Delhi ahead of their return to their homes from relief camps, an official statement issued on Wednesday said. The decision to provide financial aid to families was taken after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met victims to assess the situation. He expressed his concern for the flood victims, said a government statement. "The implementation of the ex-gratia relief is aimed at providing immediate financial assistance to the affected families and helping them recover from the devastating impact of the floods," he stated. The decision is particularly important at this point as it provides timely aid to affected families at a juncture when they have just started returning back from relief camps, the statement added. As per the approved Cabinet note, families affected by the floods and currently residing in relief camps will receive an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10,000. This will be subject to verification o

Reddy skips Union Cabinet meet after appointment as Telangana BJP president

A day after his appointment as the Telangana BJP president, Union minister G Kishan Reddy skipped the meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Though no official reason was cited for his absence, some leaders believe it could be an indication of his likely exit from the Union Cabinet ahead of its expected reshuffle. Reddy, the Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of the North East Region, was on Tuesday appointed as the president of the BJP's Telangana unit. The BJP also has the norm of one-person-one-post. A source close to Reddy declined to comment on whether he will be quitting from the Cabinet. He has been a dedicated party worker for decades and will discharge whatever responsibility its leadership assigns to him, the source said. Prime Minister Modi is expected to reshuffle his Council of Ministers soon, and the organisational changes in the BJP are seen as a precursor to that as the ruling party prepares for a host of stat

PM tells ministers to inform people about govt's development works: Report

Asserting that his government has done a lot of development work in its nine years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked his Council of Ministers to go all out over the next nine months to inform people about the works, sources said. The prime minister chaired a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers at the newly built convention centre at the Pragati Maidan, which will host the G20 summit in September. The sources said a presentation was also made in the meeting on India's likely growth journey in a host of areas, ranging from infrastructure to budget size, till 2047 when it celebrates the centenary of its independence. This will put India among the leading countries in the world, they said. Modi has described the era till 2047 as "Amrit Kaal" (golden era) for the country. The sources said the prime minister noted the global challenges and lauded the country's development. A number of secretaries representing different ministries, including foreign and defence, spoke

PM chairs 'fruitful' meeting of Council of Ministers amid reshuffle buzz

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers on Monday at the newly built convention centre at the Pragati Maidan, which will host the G20 summit in September. This comes amid a heightened buzz about a likely Cabinet reshuffle following a series of meetings of the ruling BJP's top brass. What has added to the reshuffle buzz is the fact that the period before Parliament's Monsoon Session, which begins from July 20, could be the last window for such an exercise.