The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the following schemes and initiatives on 21st February 2024.
i.Amendment in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy on the Space Sector.
ii.Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) for the period 2021-26.
iii.Inclusion of additional activities in the National Livestock Mission.
iv.Proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) for Implementation of Umbrella Scheme on “Safety of Women”
Cabinet approves Amendment in FDI Policy on Space Sector
The Union Cabinet approved amendments in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for the space sector.
Key Points:
i.Following the amendment, the satellites sub-sector has been divided into 3 different activities with defined limits for foreign investment in each such sector.
ii.The existing FDI policy permits the establishment and operation of Satellites only through the Government approval route.
- The amendment aims to liberalise the FDI policy provisions in the space sector by prescribing a liberalised entry route for various activities.
- This also provides clarity for FDI in Satellites, Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft and manufacturing of space-related components and systems.
Benefits:
i.Under the amended FDI policy, 100% FDI is allowed in the space sector.
ii.Under the amended policy, the entry route for various activities are,
a)Up to 74% under Automatic route: Satellites-Manufacturing & Operation, Satellite Data Products, and Ground Segment & User Segment. Beyond 74% of these activities are under the government route.
b)Up to 49% under Automatic route: Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft. Beyond 49% of these activities are under the government route.
c)Upto 100% under Automatic route: Manufacturing of components and systems/ sub-systems for satellites, ground segment, and user segment.
Note:
i.This reform was developed by the Department of Space in consultation with stakeholders like IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), ISRO, NSIL (NewSpace India Limited), and several industrial stakeholders.
ii.NGEs(Non-Governmental Entities) have developed capabilities and expertise in the areas of satellites and launch vehicles.
Indian Space Policy 2023:
i.Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released the Indian Space Policy 2023 on 20th April 2023.
ii.It was notified as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the vision of exploring the potential of India in the Space sector through private participation.
Aim:
i.To augment space capabilities;
ii.To develop a flourishing commercial presence in space
iii.To utilise space as a driver of technology development and derived benefits in allied areas;
iv.To pursue international relations and create an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders.
Cabinet approves FMBAP for the period 2021-26
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the centrally sponsored Scheme, the “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” with a total outlay of Rs 4,100 crores for a period of 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (15th Finance Commission period).
- The program is proposed by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR)
Scheme Components:
The Scheme has two components Flood Management Programme (FMP) and River Management and Border Areas (RMBA)
i.Under FMP with an outlay of Rs 2940 crore, central assistance will be provided to the State government to undertake works related to flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development, and anti-sea erosion, etc.,
Fund pattern:
- 90%(Centre):10%(State) – for Special Category States (8 North-Easter States and Hilly States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and UT of Jammu & Kashmir)
- 60% (Centre):40% (State) for General/ Non-Special Category States.
ii.Under RMBA with an outlay of Rs 1160 crore, flood control and anti-erosion works on common border rivers with neighbouring countries will be taken up with 100% central assistance.
- This includes hydrological observations and flood forecasting, as well as investigation and pre-construction activities of joint water resources projects.
Points to note:
i.The Union Government supports State Governments in managing floods through modern technology and innovative approaches and also protects important installations along border rivers through the RMBA component.
ii.States implementing floodplain zoning are also incentivized under the Scheme.
Cabinet Approves Inclusion of Additional Activities in the National Livestock Mission
The Union Cabinet approved the modification of the National Livestock Mission (NLM) by including the additional activities.
Additional activities included in NLM:
i.Establishment of entrepreneurship initiatives for horses, donkeys, mules, and camels:
- 50% capital subsidy up to 50 lakhs will be provided to individuals, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), SHGs(Self Help Groups), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), Farmers’ Cooperative societies (FCOs), and Section 8 companies.
- State government will be assisted for the breed conservation of horses, donkeys and camels.
- The government of India will provide Rs 10 crore to establish a semen station and nucleus breeding farm for horses, donkeys, and camels.
ii.Establishment of entrepreneurs for Fodder seed processing infrastructure:
- 50% capital subsidy up to Rs 50 lakhs will be provided to private companies, start-ups /SHGs /FPOs /FCOs /JLGs and Section 8 companies for the establishment of Infrastructure like construction of building, receiving shed, drying platform, machinery etc. including the grading plants and seed storage godown.
- The remaining cost of the project should be arranged by the beneficiary through bank finance or self-funding.
iii.The state government will receive assistance for increasing fodder cultivation areas in non-forest land, wasteland, range land, non-arable land, degraded forest land, and forest land. This assistance will help increase fodder availability in India.
iv.The Livestock Insurance program has been simplified. The beneficiary share of the premium for farmers has been reduced to 15% (Earlier- 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%), and the number of animals to be insured has been increased to 10 cattle units(Earlier 5).
- The remaining amount of the premium will be shared by the Centre and the State at 60:40 for all states, 90:10
About NLM
i.The National Livestock Mission (NLM) was launched in the financial year 2014-15 comprising 50 activities with four submissions:
- Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Development,
- Sub-Mission on Livestock Development,
- Sub-Mission on Pig Development in the North-Eastern Region, and
- Sub-Mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer, and Extension.
ii.The scheme was realigned in July 2021 under the Development Programme with a budget of Rs 2300 crore comprising 10 activities and has three submissions
- Sub-Mission on Breed Improvement of Livestock and Poultry,
- Sub-Mission of Feed & Fodder, and
- Sub-Mission on Innovation and Extension.
Cabinet Approves Proposal for Implementation of Umbrella Scheme on “Safety of Women”
The Union Cabinet approved the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA)’s proposal to continue the implementation of Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’ from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Cost:
The scheme will be implemented at a total cost of Rs 1179.72 crore.
Out of the total project outlay, MHA will provide Rs.885.49 crore from its budget and Nirbhaya Fund will contribute Rs.294.23 crore.
Points to note:
The Government has proposed to continue the following projects under the Umbrella Scheme for “Safety of Women”:
- 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0;
- Upgradation of Central Forensic Sciences laboratories, including setting up of National Forensic Data Centre;
- Strengthening of DNA(Deoxyribonucleic acid) Analysis, Cyber Forensic capacities in State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs);
- Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children;
- Capacity building and training of investigators and prosecutors in handling sexual assault cases against women and children; and
- Women Help Desk & Anti-human Trafficking Units.
CCEA Approved FRP of Sugarcane Payable by Sugar Factories for Sugar Season 2024-25
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA) chaired by PM Modi approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for Sugar Season 2024-25 at Rs 340/quintal (at a sugar recovery rate of 10.25%). This is about 8% higher than the current season 2023-24.
- The revised FRP will be applicable from 1st October 2024.
Key Points
i.The new FRP for sugarcane is 107% higher than the A2+FL cost. India guarantees the world’s cheapest sugar to domestic consumers, benefiting over 5 crore sugarcane farmers and supporting the sugar sector
ii.The minimum price to be paid by sugar mills for sugarcane is set at Rs 315.10/quintal at a recovery of 9.5%. For each 0.1% increase in recovery, farmers will get an additional ₹3.32, and the same amount will be deducted for a reduction of 0.1%.
Note: The sugar sector has the lowest cane arrears ever, with 99.5% of dues from the previous sugar season (SS) paid to farmers. Sugar mills are self-sustainable and no financial assistance has been given by the Government since SS 2021-22.
