On September 26, 2018, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the following:
Cabinet approved increasing of Government ownership in Goods and Services Tax Network
On September 26, 2018, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved increasing of Government ownership in Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN).
i. The following shows the change in the existing structure:
- 51% equity held by the Non-Government Institutions in GSTN to be held equally by Central and state governments.
- Allowing the GSTN Board to acquire the equity held by the private companies.
- Changing composition of the Board of GSTN by inducting three directors from the Centre and the States and three other independent directors to the board, totaling the number of Directors to 11.
- The members would be nominated by the Board of Directors and one Chairman and the CEO.
Cabinet approved financial assistance worth Rs.825 Crore for relining of Sirhind Feeder Canal and relining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal
On September 26, 2018, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modihas approved approved financial assistance worth Rs.825 Crore for relining of Sirhind Feeder Canal and relining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal.
i. The assistance is as follows:
- Rs. 620.42 Cr. for implementation of relining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal and
- Rs. 205.758 Cr. for relining of Sirhind Feeder Canal.
ii.The time period of the projects is five years (2018-19 to 2022-23).
iii. This funding shall be made through NABARD under existing system for funding of 99 PMKSY-AIBP projects under LTIF.
iv. Additionally, an Expert Project Review Committee may be constituted to oversee the overall implementation of these projects.
v. The total approved cost the projects at 2015 were initially:
- Rs. 671.478 Crfor Sirhind Feeder Canal and
- Rs. 1305.267 Crfor Rajasthan Feeder Canal.
vi. These projects would help in:
- Addressing the problem of water-logging in 84800 Ha of land in Muktsar, Faridkot and Ferozpurdistricts in South-West Punjab,
- Enhancing the flows/ water availability in the two canals and
- Improved irrigation in 98,739 Ha of land for Rajasthan Feeder and 69,086 Ha due to relining of Sirhind Feeder.
♦ Full Form of (PMKSY): Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
♦ Launched in 2015-16.
♦ Form form of (LTIF): Long Term Irrigation Fund.
Cabinet approved National Digital Communications Policy-2018
On September 26, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the National Digital Communications Policy-2018 (NDCP-2018). The aims of the policy would be achieved by 2022.
Objective:
Broadband for all
Key Points:
i. According to this policy:
- Every Citizen would get universal broadband connectivity at 50 Mbps,
- Provision of 1 Gbps connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022,
- Attracting investments of USD 100 billion in the Digital Communications Sector,
- Expanding IoT ecosystem to 5 billion connected devices,
- Establish a comprehensive data protection regime for digital communications,
- Training one million manpower for building New Age Skill.
ii. It would promote:
- Establishment of a National Digital Grid by creating a National Fibre Authority,
- Development of Open Access Next Generation Networks.
iii. He aslo approved re-designation of the Telecom Commission as the “Digital Communications Commission”.
Cabinet approved new BG Electrified Line of 294.53 route Kms from Katghora to Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh
On September 26, 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the New Broad Gauge Electrified Line of 294.53 route Kms from Katghora to Dongargarh.
i. This project would cost Rs. 5950.47 crore and would be implemented by a Project SPV namely Chhattisgarh Katghora-Dongarhgarh Railway Limited and Government of Chhattisgarh through Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Ltd (CRCL) and private stakeholders.
ii.It will provide rail connectivity to unserved areas of Chhattishgarh for industrial movement to Jharsuguda-Nagpur section of Howrah Mumbai route.
iii. The Korba, Bilaspur, Mungeli, Kabirdham and Rajnandgaon districts of Chhattisgarh will be benefitted by this new rail line.
About Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Ltd. (CRCL):
It is a Joint Venture between Ministry of Railways (MoR) and Chhattisgarh Government on 49:51 basis in the form of a company under theCompanies Act 2013.
Chhattisgarh:
♦ Chief Minister: Raman Singh.
♦ Governor: Anandiben Patel.
♦ National Parks: Indravati National Park, Kanger Ghati National Park, Sitanadi National Park.
♦ Chhattisgarh’s new capital Naya Raipur to be named Atal Nagar.
♦ Festivals: Bastar Dussera, Champaran Mela, Chhattisgarh Foundation Day (1st November), Bastar Lokotsav.
Cabinet approved construction of New Domestic Terminal Building and other allied structures at Patna Airport
On September 26, 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the construction of New Domestic Terminal Building at Patna airport.
i. This project would cost Rs.1,216.90 crore.
ii. It is a part of the ‘Package for Bihar’, announced by the Prime Minister.
iii. This would increase the passenger handling capacity of the airport to 4.5 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) from existing 0.7 MPPA.
Bihar:
♦ Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar.
♦ Governor: Lalji Tandon.
♦ National Parks: Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Pant (Rajgir) Wild Life Sanctuary, Udaipur Wild Life Sanctuary, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wild Life Sanctuary, Kaimur Wild Life Sanctuary.
♦ Festivals: Chatth Puja, Sama-Chakeva, Ramnavami, Makar-Sankranti, Bihula, Madhushravani, Basant Panchami, Shivratri, Raksha Bandhan, Holi, Durga Puja, Deepawali, Id.
Centre approved Rs 8,606 crore for 60 projects under Border Infrastructure and Management
On September 26, 2018, Centre approved Rs 8,606 crore for 60 projects under Border infrastructure and management (BIM) scheme.
i. The projects would be implemented in 17 states having the international borders with Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal.
ii. It will be implemented in 111 border districts with population within 50 kms of the international border.
iii. The projects include:
construction of roads, schools, primary health centres, promotion of rural tourism, border tourism, promotion of sports activities, cleanliness mission, protection of heritage sites, supply of drinking water, community centres, connectivity, drainage, to enable sustainable living in border areas, Construction of helipads in remote areas, skill training for organic farming etc.
Background:
India shares borders with Pakistan (3,323 km), China (3,488 km), Nepal (1,751 km), Bhutan (699 km), Myanmar (1,643 km) and Bangladesh (4,096 km).