On April 13, 2022, Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the following proposals:
- Continuation of revamped CSS of RGSA from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026
- Approval to policy for use of land acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957
- Launch of Web Portal For Mine Accident Reporting in Coal sector by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
- Signing of MoC between India and Japan for Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Management
- Bilateral MoU between SEBI and Manitoba Securities Commission, Canada
Cabinet approves continuation of revamped CSS of RGSA from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) i.e. ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2026 with a financial outlay of Rs 5911 crore.
Aim:To develop governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- This approval will help more than 2.78 lakh rural local bodies to achieve sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
- This continuation is on the lines with 15th Finance Commission period, and to develop governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Key Points:
i.Out of the total outlay, the Central Share of Rs 3,700 crore and State’s share is Rs 2,211 crore i.e. in the ratio of 60:40 among Centre and States respectively, except NE (Northeast), Hilly States and Union Territory (UT) of J&K where Central and State share will be 90:10.
- For other UTs, the Central Govt. share will be 100%.
ii.This scheme will extend to all States and UTs of the country and will also include institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where Panchayats do not exist.
iii.This extension will also generate employment.
iv.Priority will be given to subjects of national importance under the themes of
- Poverty free and enhanced livelihood in villages
- Healthy Village
- Child Friendly Village
- Water Sufficient Village
- Clean and Green Village
- Self-Sufficient Infrastructure in Village
- Socially Secured Village
- Village with Good Governance
- Engendered Development in Village
v.Strengthening Panchayats will promote equity and inclusiveness, along with Social Justice and economic development of the community.
About RGSA:
It was approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2018 for 4 years from Financial FY19 to FY22.
- The main Central Components were Incentivization of Panchayats and Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayat including other activities at Central level.
- The State component primarily includes CB&T (Capacity Building and Training) activities, along with other activities at limited scale.
- Under scheme of RGSA including Incentiviasation of Panchayats and Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayat, an amount of Rs.2364.13 crore released to the States/ UTs/ Panchayats and other implementing agencies from 2018-19 to 2021-22 (as on 31.03.2022).
Cabinet approves policy for use of land acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957
The Union Cabinet approved the policy for use of land acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957 [CBA Act]. Under this, the value of such land will be unlocked by utilizing it for the development and setting up of infrastructure relating to coal and energy without transfer of ownership from government companies.
- This will increase investment, and generate a large number of direct and indirect employment in the coal sector.
Policy framework for utilization of following types of lands acquired under the CBA Act:
i.Lands no longer suitable or economically viable for coal mining activities, or
ii.Lands from which coal has been mined out / de-coaled and such land has been reclaimed.
Key Points:
i.State-run companies which own the land would lease it for a specific period given under the policy and the entities for leasing will be selected through a competitive bid process.
ii.The lands will be considered for activities such as setting up Coal Washeries, Conveyor Systems, Coal gasification, Coal Handling Plants, Railway Sidings, thermal and renewal power projects, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Project Affected Families due to acquisition of land, among others.
iii.The Policy will help in realizing the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependence, job creation, etc.
vi.During the financial year 2021-22, India’s coal sector had achieved a record production of 777.23 Million Ton ( MT) compared to 716 MT in 2020-21 with 8.55 per cent growth. At the same time, coal despatch has increased by 18.43 per cent to 818.04 MT during the fiscal 2021-22 against 690.71 MT in 2020-21
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launches Web Portal for Mine Accident Reporting in Coal sector
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Coal, launched a web portal to ensure real time reporting of accidents occuring in Coal Mines. The launch was made during the 47th meeting of the Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The portal has been developed by Coal India Limited (CIL).
- It will facilitate accident investigation using root cause analysis techniques to ensure elimination of cause of accidents.
- This Standing Committee is the highest Tripartite Committee at the national level to review the status of safety in coal mines.
Cabinet Approval with Foreign countries:
Cabinet approves signing of MoC between India and Japan for Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Management
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan in the areas of Decentralized Domestic Waste Water Management, and Effective reuse of treated wastewater using Johkasou technology.
- This MoC will strengthen, facilitate and develop the capacity in the specific area.
Key Points:
i.Both sides will establish a Management Council (MC) that is responsible for the implementation of this MoC by formulating detailed activities of collaboration and monitoring its progress.
ii.There will also be creation of case-specific detailed documents such as Pre-Feasibility Reports, Feasibility Reports, and Detailed Project Reports, among others.
iii.The decentralized Johkasou systems towards management of wastewater can have greater implications for management of grey/ black water from settlements.
iv.It will help ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) to plan better for the complex issue of treating waste water.
v.This MoC will preserve the water environment in the public water areas and improve public health.
About Japan:
Capital– Tokyo
Currency– Yen
Cabinet approves Bilateral MoU between SEBI and Manitoba Securities Commission, Canada
The Union Cabinet also approved the signing of Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Manitoba Securities Commission, Canada.
Cooperation under MoU:
i.This MoU will cooperate in the area of securities regulations, facilitation of mutual assistance, contribution towards efficient performance of supervisory functions, aid in imparting technical domain knowledge and enable effective enforcement of the laws and regulations governing securities markets.
ii.The MoU will also make investors from Manitoba eligible for registration as an Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) with SEBI.
Need behind this MoU:
Entities located in the province of Manitoba, Canada are desirous of registration as Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) with SEBI, for which one of the pre-conditions is that the securities market regulator of a foreign country / province should be a signatory to the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ Multilateral memorandum of Understanding (IOSCO MMoU). Therefore, signing a bilateral MoU with SEBI is essential for permitting entities from Manitoba to be registered as FPI with SEBI.
About Canada:
Capital– Ottawa
Currency– Canadian Dollar
Recent Related News:
i.The Union Cabinet has approved MoU signed between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e.V. (DFG), Germany signed in
December 2021, and in accordance with Rule 7(d)(i) of the Second Schedule of Government of India (Transaction of Business) rules 1961.
ii.The Union Cabinet also approved the MoU signed between ICMR, and the United States’ (US) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and National Institute of Health (NIH) of Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland in September 2021 and in accordance with Rule 7(d)(i) of Second Schedule of Government of India (Transaction of Business) rules 1961.
