On October 25, 2023, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has given its approval to the following proposals which were detailed by Union Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) during a press conference in New Delhi, Delhi:
i.Inclusion of Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP)
ii.Nutrient Based Subsidy(NBS) rates for RABI Season, 2023-24 on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers.
iii.Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership.
CCEA approves inclusion of Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under PMKSY-AIBP
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the PM Narendra Modi has approved inclusion of Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under PMKSY-AIBP of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
- In this regard, CCEA has approved a funding of Rs 1,557.18 crore from the Central Government to Uttarakhand for completion of the project by March, 2028.
- The total outlay of the project is estimated at Rs 2,584.10 crore.
What is to be done under the project?
i.Construction of dam near Jamrani village across river Gola, a tributary of river Ram Ganga, Nainital district, Uttarakhand.
- It will feed existing Gola barrage through 40.5 km and 244 km long canal systems (completed in 1981).
ii.Additional irrigation for 57,065 ha (9,458 hectare(ha) in Uttarakhand, 47,607 ha in Uttar Pradesh-UP) in Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar of districts of Uttarakhand, and Rampur, Bareilly districts of UP.
iii.Constuction of 2 new feeder canals; renovation of 207 km existing canals; and construction of 278 km pucca field channels will be undertaken under this project.
iv.The project also includes, Hydro power generation of 14 MW (Mega Watt); provision of 42.70 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of drinking water to Haldwani and nearby areas (benefiting 10.65 lakh population).
v.Irrigation benefits will shared with UP as per 2017 MoU, however, drinking water and power benefits exclusively for Uttarakhand.
About PMKSY:
PMKSY was launched in 2015-16 to enhance water access, expand cultivable area, improve water use efficiency, and promote conservation. The Central Government approved PMKSY implementation 2021-26 (PMKSY 2.0), with Rs 93,068.56 crore outlay (Rs. 37,454 crore central assistance).
- PMKSY-AIBP creates irrigation potential through major projects; 53 completed, adding 25.14 lakh hectare potential. The AIBP component is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS).
- 6 projects have been added under PMKSY 2.0 since 2021-22; Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project is the 7th project to be included in the list.
Cabinet approves NBS rates for RABI Season, 2023-24 on P&K fertilizers
The Union Cabinet approved Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Rabi Season 2023-24 (October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, amounting to Rs 22,303 crore.
- The decision, made in light of falling international prices.
- The subsidies will be provided to fertilizer companies which will further provide affordable fertilizers to farmers, promoting agricultural sustainability.
Subsidized Rates:
i.Nitrogen (N): Rs. 47.02 per kg
ii.Phosphorus (P): Rs. 20.82 per kg
iii.Potash (K): Rs. 2.38 per kg
iv.Sulfur (S): Rs. 1.89 per kg
Key Points:
i.This decision will rationalizes P&K fertilizer subsidies, ensuring efficient utilization of government resources.
ii.The subsidy on Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) will continue for Rs 4500 per ton.
- It will continue to be sold at the old rate of Rs 1,350 per bag.
iii.For the Kharif season, the Central Government approved Rs 70,000 crore subsidy for urea and Rs 38,000 crore for DAP and other fertilizers.
iv.In the 2023-24 Union Budget, Rs 1.75 trillion was allocated for fertilizer subsidies. 55% of this is already spent in the initial five months.
v.Rabi crops, including wheat, barley, mustard, and peas, are sown in winter and harvested in spring.
vi.NBS scheme, effective since April 1, 2010, ensures essential nutrient availability to farmers at subsidized rates.
Cabinet approves MoC between India and Japan on Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership
The Union Cabinet also approved a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership which was signed in July 2023.
- It will be effective from July 20, 2023, and will remain in force for 5 years.
- It was signed between Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.
- With this approval, Japan has become the second Quad partner after the United States (US) to sign an agreement with India for the joint development of the semiconductor ecosystem.
Features of MoU:
i.To enhance India-Japan cooperation in semiconductor supply chain for industrial and digital technology advancement.
ii.To focuses on strengthening electronics ecosystem collaboration through Government-to-Government (G2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) cooperation.
iii.Envisages resilient semiconductor supply chain, utilizing mutual strengths, leading to increased employment opportunities in IT sector.
Recent Related News:
i.On 12th July 2023, Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) MMDR Act of 1957, for the commercial mining of 6 critical minerals: lithium, titanium, beryllium, zirconium, niobium and tantalum.
ii.On 12th July 2023, the union cabinet approved amendments to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023. The amendments were made to decriminalise minor offences by amending 183 provisions in 42 Acts which administered by 19 ministers with the aim to promote ease of business and living.
About Japan:
Prime Minister– Fumio Kishida
Capital– Tokyo
Currency-Japanese yen
