The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals on 29th February 2024
i.Approves three more semiconductor units, northeast to get its first facility in Assam.
ii.Approves Rs 75,000 crore rooftop solar scheme for 1 crore households.
iii.Approves creation of the post of Director of National Institute of One Health, Nagpur at the level of Scientist ‘H’ (pay level-15) to spearhead the National One Health Mission for integrated disease control and pandemic preparedness.
iv.Approves royalty rates for mining of 12 critical and strategic minerals – Beryllium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Rhenium, Selenium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Titanium, Tungsten, and Vanadium.
v.Approves nutrient-based subsidy for P&K fertilizers for Kharif Season 2024
vi.Approves establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
Union Cabinet Approves Three More Semiconductor UnitÂ
The Union Cabinet approved the construction of three semiconductor units in India under the Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crores including the first semiconductor unit in the northeast(Assam.
- This will generate direct employment of 20 thousand advanced technology jobs and about 60 thousand indirect jobs.
The approved three semiconductor units are
| Semiconductor Unit | Investment | Location | Parties involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semiconductor Fab | Rs 91,000 crore | Dholera, Gujarat | Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp(PSMC), Taiwan – Technology Partner |
| Semiconductor ATMP(Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging) | Rs 27,000 crore | Morigaon, Assam | TSAT(Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd) |
| Semiconductor ATMP | Rs 7,600 crore | Sanand, Gujarat | CG(Crompton Greaves ) Power Renesas Electronics Corporation (Technology Partner) Stars Microelectronics (Thailand) |
Cabinet Approves Rs 75,000 Crore Rooftop Solar Scheme for 1 Crore Households
Union cabinet has approved the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana which aims to install rooftop solar panels in one crore households, with a total budget of Rs. 75,021 crore.
- The scheme provides free electricity for up to 300 units every month.
- The scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 13 February 2024.
Key points
i.This Scheme offers a CFA(Central Financial Assistance ) that covers up to 60% of the cost for a 2 kW solar power system and 40% of the additional cost for systems with a capacity between 2 to 3 kW. The maximum subsidy is limited to 3 kW. As per current prices, this could mean a subsidy of
- Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW system,
- Rs 60,000 for a 2 kW system, and
- Rs 78,000 for a 3 kW system or higher.
ii.Through a national portal, Indian households now have the opportunity to apply for a subsidy to install rooftop solar systems
iii.They can select a vendor and take advantage of collateral-free loans with a 7% interest rate.Â
iii.To promote adoption in rural areas, each district will establish a Model Solar Village.
- The beneficiaries will receive a subsidy in their bank account within 30 days.
Note: India aims to produce 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, with solar power playing a crucial role. Solar capacity has almost doubled, from 6,510 MW in 2019-20 to 12,760 MW in 2021-22.
Cabinet Approves Creation of Post of Director of National Institute of One Health, Nagpur, MaharashtraÂ
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of creation of one post at the level of Scientist H (in the pay level 15) as Director of the National Institute of One Health, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- He will also assume the role of Mission Director for the National One Health Mission, which is a multi-Ministerial and multi-sectoral effort to control diseases and prepare for pandemics by combing the human, animal, plant, and environmental sectors
Key Points
i.The creation of a Director of the National Institute of One Health post, at the level of Scientist ‘H’ and pay level 15 (Rs.1,82,000 – Rs.2,24,100), will cost approximately Rs.35.59 lakhs annually.
ii.An R&D(Research and Development) program for integrated diseases & pandemic preparedness was approved on January 1, 2024, to bolster the mission.
Background
i.A “National One Health Mission” framework has been created, with the collaboration of 13 Government Departments.Â
ii.It will coordinate priority activities across sectors, such as integrated R&D for early detection of epidemics/pandemics and targeted R&D for fast-tracking medical countermeasures
Cabinet Approves Royalty Rates for Mining of 12 Critical and Strategic Minerals
The Union Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to specify the royalty rate for 12 critical and strategic minerals
- These minerals are Beryllium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Rhenium, Selenium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Titanium, Tungsten, and Vanadium.
Key Points:
 i.The Ministry of Mines has devised a way to calculate the Average Sale Price (ASP) of these minerals, which will aid in determining the bid parameters as the royalty rate plays a crucial role in the auction process
ii.The MMDR Act’s Second Schedule lists royalty rates for various minerals under Item No. 55. However, for minerals not covered by this list, the default royalty rate is set at a high 12% of the ASP.
- This rate is not comparable to other countries that produce minerals
Therefore reasonable royalty rates have been specified as follows to address this issue.
| Minerals | Rates |
|---|---|
| Beryllium, Indium, Rhenium, Tellurium | 2% of the ASP of relevant metal chargeable on the relevant metal contained in the ore produced. |
| Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Selenium, Tantalum (produced from ores other than Columbite-tantalite), Titanium (produced from ores other than occurring in Beach Sand Minerals): |
– of the ASP of relevant metal chargeable on the relevant by-product metal contained in the ore produced. |
| Tungsten | 3% of the ASP of Tungsten Trioxide (WO3) on contained WO3Â per tonne of ore on pro rata basis |
| Vanadium |
– of the ASP of Vanadium Pentoxide on contained V2O5Â per tonne of ore on pro rata basis |
Additional Information
i.The rationalization of royalty rates for all 24 critical and strategic minerals listed in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act has been completed through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023.
- This amendment requires that the mining lease and composite license for these minerals be auctioned by the Central Government and came into force on August 17, 2023.
ii.On March 15, 2022, the government notified the royalty rate for four critical minerals: Glauconite, Potash, Molybdenum, and Platinum Group of Minerals.
iii.On October 12, 2023, the government also notified the royalty rate for three critical minerals: Lithium, Niobium, and Rare Earth Elements.
iv.The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Ltd. (MECL) have submitted an exploration report for 13 blocks containing critical minerals such as Cobalt, Titanium, Gallium, Vanadium, and Tungsten.
- They are also conducting exploration for these minerals in the country.
v.In November 2023, the government auctioned 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks, including Lithium, REE, Nickel, Platinum Group of Elements, Potash, Glauconite, Phosphorite, Graphite, Molybdenum, and more. The last date for submitting bids was February 26, 2024.
Union Cabinet Approves NBS Rates for KHARIF Season 2024 on P&K FertilisersÂ
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for KHARIF Season, 2024 (from 1st April 2024 to 30th September 2024) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers and the inclusion of 3 new fertilizer grades under the NBS scheme.
- The tentative budgetary requirement for Kharif season 2024 would be approximately Rs 24,420 crore.
Background
i.Farmers can buy 25 different types of P&K fertilizers at lower prices with government subsidies through fertilizer manufacturers/importers.
ii.NBS Programme for Fertilizers was initiated in the year 2010. Under the scheme, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on an annual basis is provided on each grade of subsidized P&K fertilizers, except for Urea, based on the nutrient content present in them.
iii.GoI has decided to include 3 new Fertilizer grades under the NBS scheme.
Benefits:
i.Providing fertilizers at subsidized, affordable, and reasonable prices to farmers will guarantee their availability.
ii.By aligning the subsidy on P&K fertilizers with the current trends in international fertilizer and input prices, will ensure a fair and rational system.
iii.The introduction of three new grades in NBS will encourage balanced soil health and provide farmers with options for micro-nutrient-fortified fertilizers that cater to their soil’s needs.
Cabinet Approves Establishment of the IBCA
The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with a one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore for a period of 5 years (2023-24 to 2027-28).Â
About IBCA:
i.The IBCA has been conceived as a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries, and non-range countries interested in big cat conservation
ii.IBCA governance includes an Assembly of Members; a standing committee and a Secretariat with its headquarters in India.
iii.A framework agreement (statute) has been drafted, which is largely based on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and it will be finalized by the International Steering Committee (ISC). The Host Country Agreement has been prepared on the lines of ISA and the Government of India.
iv.The Steering Committee of the IBCA will comprise national representatives from founding member countries.
v.An Interim Director General (DG) will be appointed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to lead the IBCA Secretariat until the IBCA appoints its own Director General during the Assembly meeting.
vi.IBCA Assembly at the Ministerial level will be chaired by the President (Union Minister of MoEFCC, Government of India).
Note:
i.IBCA was launched on 9th April 2023 by PM Modi to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger.
- So far, 16 countries have given their written consent to be part of the IBCA.
ii.Globally, there are 7 big cats:Â tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah. 5 out of these 7 (except puma and jaguar) are found in India.
