On December 6, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the following:
Cabinet approved Amendment of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951
On December 6, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Amendment of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951.
- In the existing Act, there is a provision for representation of a single national political party.
- After amendment, it would ensure representation of the Opposition Party in the Trust as well.
- Thus, the proposed Amendment will empower the Government to terminate and replace a Trustee to participate in functioning of the Trust or for any other reason.
Cabinet approved Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 to double agri exports
On December 6, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018.
Objective:
To double the agricultural exports and integrate Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains.
Key Points:
i. It would focus on the following:
- Doubling agricultural exports from present US$ 30+ Billion to US$ 60+ Billion by 2022and reach US$ 100 Billion in the next few years,
- To diversify India’s export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added agricultural exports including focus on perishables.
- To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional Agri products exports.
- To provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.
- To strive to double India’s share in world agri-exports by integrating with global value chain at the earliest.
- Enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas market.
ii. The recommendations in the Agriculture Export Policy have been organised in two categories – Strategic and Operational.
iii. The Strategic recommendations include:
- Policy measures,
- Infrastructure and Logistics Support,
- Holistic approach to boost exports,
- Greater involvement of State Governments in agri exports.
iv. The Operational recommendations include:
- Focus on Clusters,
- Promoting value-added exports,
- Marketing and promotion of “Brand India,
- Attract private investments into production and processing,
- Establishment of strong quality regimen,
- Research & Development,
- Miscellaneous.
Cabinet approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam (National Project) on river Ravi in Punjab with central assistance of Rs.485.38 crore
On December 6, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam Project, Punjab on river Ravi.
i. For this, central Assistance of Rs. 485.38 cr (for irrigation component) would be provided over five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23. This will be made through NABARD under existing system for funding of 99 PMKSY-AIBP projects under LTIF.
ii. This project would help minimising some of the water of the River Ravi which at present is going waste through the Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan.
iii. Under the Project, the following has been stated:
- For monitoring mechanism for projects by Central Water Commission, a committee headed by Member, Central Water Commission and consisting of concerned Chief Engineers of Punjab and J&K and other concerned officers would be constituted.
- The project would be completed by June 2022.
- On completion of the project an Irrigation Potential of 5,000 ha in Punjab State and 32,173 ha in J&K State would be created.
Background:
i. The estimated cost of the ShahpurKandi Dam project is Rs. 1973.53 cr. (Irrigation component: 564.63 cr, Power component: 1408.90 cr.)
ii. An agreement for the project, under Indus Waters Treaty, was reached between Punjab and J&K states under the aegis of MoWR, RD&GR at New Delhi on 8th September, 2018.
Punjab:
♦ Chief Minister: Amarinder Singh.
♦ Governor: V.P Singh Badnore.
♦ Wild Life Sanctuaries: Abohar WLS, Bir Aishvan WLS, Bir Bunerheri WLS, Bir Bhadson WLS, Bir Dosanjh WLS, Bir Gurdialpura WLS, Bir Mehaswala WLS, Bir Motibagh WLS, Harike Lake WLS, Jhajjar Bacholi WLS, Kathlaur Kushlian WLS, Takhni-Rehampur WLS, Nangal WLS.
Cabinet approved National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, worth Rs. 3660 crores, for 5 years
On December 6, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the launch of National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), at a total outlay of Rs. 3660 crore for a period of 5 years.
i. It will be implemented by Department of Science &Technology.
ii. It is a comprehensive mission which would address the following:
- technology development, application development, human resource development & skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and start-up development in CPS and associated technologies.
iii. For the implementation of NM-ICPS, there would be establishment of:
- 15 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIH),
- 6 Application Innovation Hubs (AIH) and
- 4 Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRP).
iv. The Hubs & TTRPs would focus on 4 areas, namely
- Technology Development;
- HRD & Skill Development;
- Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Start-ups Ecosystem Development;
- International Collaborations.
v. These Hubs & TTRPs will connect Academics, Industry, Central Ministries and State Government in developing solutions at reputed academic, R&D across the country.
Cabinet approved sale of the Government’s existing 52.63% of total equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation to Power Finance Corporation along with transfer of management control
On December 6, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the strategic sale of the Government of India’s existing 52.63% of total paid up equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) to Power Finance Corporation (PFC) along with transfer of management control.
i. Both REC and PFC are Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Power.
Ministry of Power & New and Renewable Energy:
♦ Minister of State (I/C): Shri. Raj Kumar Singh.