NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet , chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , gave the green light to a series of key initiatives on Wednesday. Among the most notable was the approval of the Kovind panel's recommendations on the 'one nation, one election' framework which will synchronize Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local body elections, aimed at streamlining the electoral process across India. The Cabinet also sanctioned a new lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4 , alongside a crucial subsidy for P&K fertilizers and the continuation of the PM-AASHA scheme to safeguard farmers' income.
Here are the key initiatives that got Union Cabinet's nod:
Kovind panel report on 'One Nation, One Election'
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unanimously approved the recommendations put forth by the high-level committee on 'one nation, one election' on Wednesday.
The committee, led by former president Ram Nath Kovind, had submitted its report in March, before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
The report's approval was part of the law ministry's 100-day agenda, and it was presented before the Cabinet for consideration. The committee's key recommendation was to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the initial step, followed by synchronized local body polls within 100 days.
The panel also suggested the formation of an 'Implementation Group'. This group would be responsible for overseeing the execution of the proposed electoral reforms and ensuring a smooth transition towards the 'one nation, one election' system.
New Moon mission-Chandrayaan-4
The government has given the green light to a new lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, which aims to showcase and refine the technologies necessary for safely landing Indian astronauts on the moon and bringing them back to Earth. The mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, is a crucial step towards India's goal of landing astronauts on the lunar surface by 2040.
Chandrayaan-4 will focus on demonstrating key technologies such as docking, undocking, landing, and safe return to Earth. Additionally, the mission will involve collecting and analyzing lunar samples, further expanding our understanding of the moon's composition and potential resources.
The estimated cost for this technology demonstration mission is Rs 2,104.06 crore.
The mission is expected to be completed within a 36-month timeframe following the approval, with contributions from both industry partners and academic institutions.
Rs 24,475 crore subsidy on P&K fertilisers for rabi season
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for a subsidy of Rs 24,474.53 crore on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the rabi season of 2024-25. This decision was made to ensure that farmers have access to crop nutrients at affordable prices. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the rabi season 2024, which runs from October 2024 to March 2025, have been approved for P&K fertilizers.
According to an official statement, the tentative budgetary requirement for rabi season 2024 would be approximately Rs 24,475.53 crore. The government aims to make sure that farmers can obtain fertilizers at subsidized, affordable, and reasonable prices. Through fertilizer manufacturers and importers, the government is providing farmers with access to 28 grades of P&K fertilizers at subsidized rates.
Since April 1, 2010, the subsidy on P&K fertilizers has been governed by the NBS scheme. This recent decision by the government is expected to benefit farmers by ensuring an adequate supply of essential crop nutrients at affordable prices during the upcoming rabi season.
Continuation of PM-AASHA to ensure better prices for farmers
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the PM-AASHA scheme, allocating a budget of Rs 35,000 crore. This initiative aims to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce while also managing price fluctuations of essential commodities for the benefit of consumers. "The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of schemes of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) to provide remunerative prices to farmers and to control price volatility of essential commodities for consumers," an official statement said.
The financial expenditure for this scheme is projected to be Rs 35,000 crore during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle, which extends until 2025-26, as per the statement. In an effort to streamline and optimize the benefits for both farmers and consumers, the government has integrated the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) schemes under the PM-AASHA umbrella.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, a comprehensive initiative aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities across the country. The program, with a total outlay of Rs 79,156 crore, comprising a Central Share of Rs 56,333 crore and a State Share of Rs 22,823 crore, will focus on providing saturation coverage to tribal families residing in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts.
The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan will have a far-reaching presence, encompassing 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across all tribal-majority villages in 30 States and Union Territories.
‘Bio-RIDE’ scheme to support research and development in Biotechnology
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the continuation of two flagship schemes under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These schemes have been consolidated into a single program called 'Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE),' which introduces a new component focusing on Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry.
The Bio-RIDE scheme seeks to expedite research efforts, bolster product development, and close the gap between academic research and industrial applications. By integrating the two existing schemes and introducing the Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry component, the government aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports the growth and advancement of the biotechnology sector in India.
Here are the key initiatives that got Union Cabinet's nod:
Kovind panel report on 'One Nation, One Election'
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unanimously approved the recommendations put forth by the high-level committee on 'one nation, one election' on Wednesday.
The committee, led by former president Ram Nath Kovind, had submitted its report in March, before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
The report's approval was part of the law ministry's 100-day agenda, and it was presented before the Cabinet for consideration. The committee's key recommendation was to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies as the initial step, followed by synchronized local body polls within 100 days.
The panel also suggested the formation of an 'Implementation Group'. This group would be responsible for overseeing the execution of the proposed electoral reforms and ensuring a smooth transition towards the 'one nation, one election' system.
New Moon mission-Chandrayaan-4
The government has given the green light to a new lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, which aims to showcase and refine the technologies necessary for safely landing Indian astronauts on the moon and bringing them back to Earth. The mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, is a crucial step towards India's goal of landing astronauts on the lunar surface by 2040.
Chandrayaan-4 will focus on demonstrating key technologies such as docking, undocking, landing, and safe return to Earth. Additionally, the mission will involve collecting and analyzing lunar samples, further expanding our understanding of the moon's composition and potential resources.
The estimated cost for this technology demonstration mission is Rs 2,104.06 crore.
The mission is expected to be completed within a 36-month timeframe following the approval, with contributions from both industry partners and academic institutions.
Rs 24,475 crore subsidy on P&K fertilisers for rabi season
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for a subsidy of Rs 24,474.53 crore on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the rabi season of 2024-25. This decision was made to ensure that farmers have access to crop nutrients at affordable prices. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the rabi season 2024, which runs from October 2024 to March 2025, have been approved for P&K fertilizers.
According to an official statement, the tentative budgetary requirement for rabi season 2024 would be approximately Rs 24,475.53 crore. The government aims to make sure that farmers can obtain fertilizers at subsidized, affordable, and reasonable prices. Through fertilizer manufacturers and importers, the government is providing farmers with access to 28 grades of P&K fertilizers at subsidized rates.
Since April 1, 2010, the subsidy on P&K fertilizers has been governed by the NBS scheme. This recent decision by the government is expected to benefit farmers by ensuring an adequate supply of essential crop nutrients at affordable prices during the upcoming rabi season.
Continuation of PM-AASHA to ensure better prices for farmers
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the PM-AASHA scheme, allocating a budget of Rs 35,000 crore. This initiative aims to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce while also managing price fluctuations of essential commodities for the benefit of consumers. "The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of schemes of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) to provide remunerative prices to farmers and to control price volatility of essential commodities for consumers," an official statement said.
The financial expenditure for this scheme is projected to be Rs 35,000 crore during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle, which extends until 2025-26, as per the statement. In an effort to streamline and optimize the benefits for both farmers and consumers, the government has integrated the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) schemes under the PM-AASHA umbrella.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, a comprehensive initiative aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities across the country. The program, with a total outlay of Rs 79,156 crore, comprising a Central Share of Rs 56,333 crore and a State Share of Rs 22,823 crore, will focus on providing saturation coverage to tribal families residing in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts.
The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan will have a far-reaching presence, encompassing 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across all tribal-majority villages in 30 States and Union Territories.
‘Bio-RIDE’ scheme to support research and development in Biotechnology
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the continuation of two flagship schemes under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These schemes have been consolidated into a single program called 'Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE),' which introduces a new component focusing on Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry.
The Bio-RIDE scheme seeks to expedite research efforts, bolster product development, and close the gap between academic research and industrial applications. By integrating the two existing schemes and introducing the Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry component, the government aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports the growth and advancement of the biotechnology sector in India.
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