Page 4 - Union Cabinet

Cabinet nod for Rs 1K crore venture capital fund for space sector startups

The move is expected to accelerate the growth of the private space sector in India, driving advancements in space technology

Cabinet approves 3% hike in Dearness Allowance; now stands at 53%

The combined impact on the exchequer due to the DA and DR increases would be Rs 9,448.35 crore per annum, according to the press statement

Centre to continue providing free fortified rice: What is it?

The union cabinet on October 9, decided to continue providing fortified rice under various welfare schemes until December 2028. What is fortified rice and how different is it from regular rice?

From agri boost to IEA membership: Key announcements by Modi 3.0 cabinet

The Union govt has allocated over Rs 1 trillion to support two major agriculture support schemes: the PM-Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana

Govt okays National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds with Rs 10K cr outlay

The government on Thursday approved National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds with an outlay of Rs 10,103 crore to make India self-sufficient in cooking oils. India imports more than 50 per cent of its annual edible oil requirement. "With an aim to make India self reliant in oilseed production in next 7 years, Cabinet approves National Mission on Edible Oils '? Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for 2024-25 to 2030-31 with outlay of Rs 10,103 crore," the government said on social media platform X. The mission aims to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31, the government said. "It seeks to extend oilseed cultivation by an additional 40 lakh hectares," it added. India imports palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia while soyabean oil is imported from Brazil and Argentina. Sunflower comes mainly from Russia and Ukraine.

Work on 12 industrial smart cities to kick off this year; 4 to be completed

In August, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of 12 industrial zones, strategically positioned across 10 states and planned along six major corridors

Cabinet clears Chandrayaan-4, Venus Orbiter Mission for space exploration

Moon mission Chandrayaan-4 will cost Rs 2104.06 cr while Rs 1,236 crore has been earmarked for Venus Orbiter Mission

Cabinet approves PM-AASHA scheme extension with Rs 35,000 cr outlay

Schemes under PM-AASHA aim to regulate price fluctuations to ensure fair prices for farmers. The Centre has also updated the policies under this scheme and added new components. Details here

PM E-DRIVE scheme to aid faster adoption of EVs in India: M&M, Tata Motors

Home-grown auto majors Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors on Thursday hailed the PM e-drive scheme, saying it would help in higher adoption of electric vehicles in the country. On September 11, the Union Cabinet approved two major schemes with a total outlay of Rs 14,335 crore to promote the use of electric vehicles, including buses, ambulances and trucks. The two schemes are the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years, and the PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) scheme with a budget of Rs 3,435 crore. "With continued focused support on 2Ws, 3Ws, e-buses and the thoughtful addition of e-ambulances, the scheme will drive higher EV penetration in the country," Mahindra & Mahindra Managing Director Anish Shah said in a statement. Investments laid out for fast charging infrastructure for all segments will help in increasing consumer confidence for faster adoption of ..

Cabinet approves Rs 12,461 cr support for 31,350 MW hydropower projects

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 12,461 crore outlay to support the development of 31,350 MW hydropower projects to be implemented over the next eight years. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Power for modification of the scheme of budgetary support for the cost of Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP) with a total outlay of Rs 12,461 crore, an official statement said. According to the statement, the scheme will be implemented from FY2024-25 to FY2031-32. The limit of the budgetary support for the cost of enabling infrastructure has been rationalised to Rs one crore/MW for projects up to 200 MW and Rs 200 crore plus Rs 0.75 crore per MW exceeding 200 MW, for projects above 200 MW.

Cabinet okays fourth phase of rural roads scheme with outlay of Rs 70k cr

62,500 km of new roads to be built to connect 25,000 habitations over the next 5 years from FY25

Govt gives nod to Ayushman health insurance to all citizens aged 70, above

In a move that will benefit 4.5 crore families, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The coverage aims to benefit six crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families with Rs five lakh free health insurance cover. Eligible beneficiaries will be issued a new distinct card under the scheme, the government said.

Cabinet likely to approve new scheme for promoting electric vehicles

Scheme outlay expected to be Rs 10,900 cr, new name to be coined in place of 'FAME'

Cabinet approves seven agricultural projects worth Rs 13,966 crore

Cabinet approves seven agricultural projects worth Rs 13,966 crore

Union Cabinet approves 730 private radio FM channels for 234 cities

Move to boost local content in mother tongue and create new employment opportunities, says government. New areas covered include many aspirational districts, left-wing affected and border areas

'Railways adds 14.5 km of new tracks daily': Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Ashwini Vaishnaw made the remarks during a Cabinet briefing in New Delhi and highlighted that a decade ago, the average construction pace in Railways was 4 km per day

Cabinet nod to Rs 6,456 cr multi-tracking project, two new lines across IR

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three railway projects with a total estimated cost of Rs 6,456 crore, a statement from the Ministry of Railways said. According to the ministry, the approved projects will improve logistical efficiency by connecting the unconnected areas, increase the existing line capacity and enhance the transportation networks, resulting in streamlined supply chains and accelerated economic growth. The new line proposals will provide direct connectivity and improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for the Indian Railways. The multi-tracking proposal will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across the Indian Railways, the ministry said. The projects are in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji's vision of a New India which will make people of the region 'Atmanirbhar' by way of ...

Govt approves Unified Pension Scheme, to benefit 2.3 mn central employees

There will be an option for the employees to opt between NPS and UPS, said Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Govt forms cabinet committees on security, economic, political affairs

The Modi government on Wednesday constituted various cabinet committees, including the country's highest decision making bodies on security, economic and political affairs. According to an official notification, the Cabinet Committee on Security comprises Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Apart from PM Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs comprises defence minister, home minister, finance minister, external affairs minister, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Others in the committee are: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of Panchayati Raj and Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh. The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs comprises defence minister, home minister

India should reduce coal imports, says G Kishan Reddy after taking charge

G Kishan Reddy on Thursday took charge as coal and mines minister and said that India should increase domestic production of the fossil-fuel and reduce coal imports. In the previous Narendra Modi government, both the ministries were led by Pralhad Joshi. Joshi who is the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy was also present during the occasion and wished Reddy all the success. "We should reduce import and increase domestic production," he told reporters after taking charge. India's coal import rose by 7.7 per cent to 268.24 million tonnes (MT) in FY '24. Reddy further said 10 years ago there was a coal shortage in the country and due to this there was also a shortage of electricity. But in the last 10 years there has been sufficient power availability. When asked what will be the priority of his government for the mines sector, he said "I have just taken charge and I will review the department... first I want to see my officers the