Page 6 - Union Cabinet

Govt amends to MMDR Act for royalty on 12 critical, strategic minerals

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the amendment in the MMDR Act to specify the royalty rate on 12 critical and strategic minerals, an official statement said. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Mines said in a statement. "The Union Cabinet... approved the amendment of Second Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) for specifying rate of royalty in respect of 12 critical and strategic minerals," the statement said. The 12 critical and strategic minerals are beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, gallium, indium, rhenium, selenium, tantalum, tellurium, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium, it said. This completes the exercise of the rationalisation of royalty rates for all 24 critical and strategic minerals, the Ministry said. The government notified the royalty rate of four critical minerals, namely glauconite, potash, molybdenum and platinum group of miner

Farm community gives a mixed response to increase in FRP of sugarcane

The farm community in western Uttar Pradesh has given a mixed response to the government's decision to increase Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to Rs 340 per quintal. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday decided to hike the minimum price that mills have to pay to sugarcane growers by Rs 25 to Rs 340 per quintal for the 2024-25 season starting October. This is the highest FRP for sugarcane announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government since coming to power in 2014. Dismayed over the decision, Baghpat District President of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) Pratap Singh Gurjar said the government has forgotten its own promise. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself promised to give MSP of Rs 450 per quintal to cane during a public rally in Meerut in 2014 elections," he claimed. "We (farmers) are also consumers. The government should also remember this. We also have to buy petrol, diesel, fertilizer, seeds etc. All these things are becoming expensive. MSP on sugarca

Govt modifies National Livestock Mission, includes various activities

The government on Wednesday modified the National Livestock Mission by including various activities and providing 50 per cent capital subsidy to individuals and organisations for establishing horse, donkey, mule, and camel entrepreneurship. The Centre will provide Rs 10 crore for the establishment of semen station and nucleus breeding farm for horse, donkey, and camel under the modified National Livestock Mission. The Union Cabinet approved inclusion of additional activities in National Livestock Mission (NLM), Union Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters here. Under the modified NLM, establishment of entrepreneurship for horse, donkey, mule, and camel with 50 per cent capital subsidy up to Rs 50 lakh will be provided to the individuals, farmer producer organisations, self-help groups, and Section 8 companies. Also, the state government will be assisted for breed conservation of horses, donkeys, and camels. Also, the state government will be assisted for fodder cultivation in ...

Budget 2024 LIVE: India Inc awaits FM's Budget for growth boosting measures

Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: The Interim Budget 2024 is set to be presented on February 1. Catch all the budget-related live updates here

Cabinet approves creation of 3 officer-level posts for 16th Fin Comm

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the creation of three officer-level posts for assisting the 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Arvind Panagariya. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the creation of three posts at the level of Joint Secretary i.e. two posts of Joint Secretary and one post of Economic Adviser, for the 16th Finance Commission, an official statement said. "The newly created posts are required to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions," the statement said. All other posts in the commission have already been created as per the delegated powers, it added. In a notification dated December 31, 2023, the government appointed former vice chairman of Niti Aayog Panagariya as the chairman of the 16th Finance Commission. Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey was named as the Secretary to the Commission. The Commission would submit its report to the President by October 31, 2025. The report would be for five years commencing April 1, 2026. Be

MoU between India, USAID/India to help Railways achieve net-zero emissions

The Union Cabinet during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved an MoU signed between India and USAID/India to help the Indian Railways achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2030. A press statement issued by the Indian Railways on Friday said the Cabinet was apprised of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/India on June 14, 2023. "The MoU provides a platform for Indian Railways to interact and share the latest developments and knowledge in the railway sector," it said. It added, "The MoU facilitates utility modernisation, advanced energy solutions and systems, regional energy and market integration and private sector participation and engagement, training and seminars/workshops focusing on specific technology areas like renewable energy, energy efficiency and other interactions for knowledge sharing." According to the Indian Railways, it earlier worked with .

India to sign MoU with Guyana to buy crude oil for a period of 5 years

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved signing of a 5-year memorandum of understanding with Guyana for cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector including sourcing of crude oil. "The proposed MoU covers the complete value chain of the hydrocarbon sector, including sourcing of crude oil from Guyana, participation of Indian companies in exploration and production (E&P) sector of Guyana, (and) cooperation in areas of crude oil refining," a government statement said. It also covers capacity building, strengthening bilateral trade, collaboration in the natural gas sector, collaboration in developing regulatory policy framework in the oil and gas sector in Guyana; cooperation in the area of clean energy including biofuels as well as renewables sector including solar energy. India, the world's third largest energy consumer and importer, is looking to diversify its sources of oil imports and the South American nation is one of the countries it is tapping for that. The MoU, which has been in ...

Cabinet approves MoU between Isro, MRIC on joint small satellite

The MoU will help to establish a framework for cooperation between Isro and MRIC on the development of a joint satellite

Union Cabinet approves Rs 4,797 crore for 'Prithvi Vigyan' scheme

The government on Friday approved "Prithvi Vigyan", an overarching initiative comprising five on-going sub-schemes related to earth sciences, at a cost of Rs 4,797 crore over a five-year period from 2021-26. The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to club the sub-schemes. The schemes are "Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services", "Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology", "Polar Science and Cryosphere Research", "Seismology and Geosciences" and "Research, Education, Training and Outreach". "The overarching scheme of 'Prithvi Vigyan' (PRITHVI) will enable development of integrated multi-disciplinary earth science research and innovative programmes across different MoES institutes," an official statement said. It said these integrated research and development efforts will help in addressing the grand challenges of weather and climat

Govt appoints Arvind Panagariya as chairman of 16th Finance Commission

D K Srivastava, a member of the 12th Finance Commission, said Panagariya is well suited for the job as he has a very good understanding of the Indian economy and looked after the Niti Aayog

Cabinet nod to open Consulate General of India in New Zealand's Auckland

India will soon open a consulate general in Auckland, which is home to a large number of non-resident Indians in New Zealand. The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, approved the proposal to open a Consulate General of India in Auckland, an official statement said. The consulate is likely to be opened and fully operationalised within 12 months, it added. India currently has a consulate in Auckland, which is headed by a honorary consul. The opening of a consulate general would pave the way for the appointment of a consul general, a post usually held by an officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Opening the Consulate General of India in Auckland would help increase the country's diplomatic footprint and strengthen its representation in view of its increasing global engagement, the statement said. "This will also help promote India's strategic and commercial interests and better serve the welfare of the Indian community in Auckland,"

Union cabinet approves road, construction projects in Bihar, Tripura

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for widening of the 135-km stretch of Khowai-Harina road in Tripura, according to an official statement. The project involves investment of Rs 2,486.78 crore which includes a loan component of Rs 1,511.70 crore (JPY 23,129 million), the statement said. The loan assistance will be from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under Official Development Assistance (ODA) scheme, it added. The project is envisaged to facilitate better road connectivity between various parts of Tripura and to provide alternative access to Assam and Meghalaya from Tripura apart from existing NH-8. "The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for improvement and widening to two lane with paved shoulder of road from km 101.300 (Khowai) to km 236.213 (Harina) of NH-208, covering a total length of 134.913 kms in Tripura," the statement said. The statement noted that development of the project

Rs 2500 cr approved for continuation of interest equalisation scheme up

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved an additional allocation of Rs 2,500 crore for the continuation of interest equalisation or subsidy scheme on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit up to June 30 next year. This would help exporters from identified sectors and all MSME manufacturer exporters to avail rupee export credit at competitive rates at a time when the global economy is facing headwinds. Exporters get subsidies under the 'Interest Equalisation Scheme for pre and post-shipment Rupee export credit. The decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It "has approved an additional allocation of Rs 2,500 crore for continuation of Interest Equalisation Scheme till 30th June 2024," an official statement said on Friday. The additional outlay of Rs 2500 crore, over and above the current outlay of Rs 9,538 crore under the Scheme, is made available to bridge the funding gap to continue the Scheme up to June 2024. Manufacturer

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

Finance Commission terms of reference takes a conservative stance

Press release on terms of reference doesn't name people who will be part of the commission

Union Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan

The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) to focus on 11 critical interventions through various ministries, Union minister Anurag Thakur said Wednesday. The scheme, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in Jharkhand's Khunti, will have a total outlay of Rs 24,104 crore. The Central share will be Rs 15,336 crore and states will contribute Rs 8,768 crore. The nod to the scheme was given by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday night. Seventy-five communities located in 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). These PVTGs continue to face vulnerability in social, economic and education sectors, the government noted. The PM-JANMAN will focus on 11 critical interventions through nine ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The Ministry of Ayush will set up Ayush Wellness Centre as per existing norms and

PM hails Cabinet's nod to Jamrani Dam project's inclusion under PMKSY-AIBP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the Union Cabinet's approval to the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under the accelerated irrigation benefit programme, saying it is a significant stride towards a prosperous and sustainable Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The government on Wednesday approved the inclusion of the project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), which will cost Rs 2,584 crore. The project envisages the construction of a dam near Jamrani village across river Gola, a tributary of river Ram Ganga in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The dam will feed the existing Gola barrage through its 40.5 km length of canal system and 244 km long canal system completed in 1981. In a post on X, Modi said, "This decision by the CCEA will bolster irrigation, enhance hydro power generation and provide clean drinking water to over 10 lakh people." "It is a significant stride towa

Centre approves Rs 22,303 cr subsidy on P&K fertilizers for rabi season

The FY24 Budget had estimated the subsidy expenditure on non-urea fertilisers at Rs 44,000 crore for the 2023-24 financial year

India-Japan pact on semiconductor supply chain gets Cabinet green light

Japanese government-backed semiconductor venture Rapidus is likely to be a major element of the new partnership

Union Cabinet hikes dearness allowance, approves PLB for rail staff

The last revision of the dearness allowance was undertaken on March 24, 2023, and was effective from January 1, 2023