On September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM)Narendra Modi has approved the following:
- Mission Mausam with an outlay of Rs 2,000 crore over two years.
- PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism scheme.
- Implementation of PMGSY-IV during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.
- PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme.
- Modification of the scheme of Budgetary Support for the cost of Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects.
- Health coverage to all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of income under AB PM-JAY.
Cabinet approves ‘Mission Mausam‘ for more weather-ready and climate-smart Bharat
The Union Cabinet has approved Mission Mausam, an initiative with an outlay of Rs 2,000 crore over two years. Led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), this mission aims to revolutionize India’s weather and climate sciences by enhancing research, forecasting, and climate resilience.
- The three institutes of MoES viz. New Delhi(Delhi) based India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune(Maharashtra) based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and Noida(Uttar Pradesh/UP) based National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) will primarly implementing this mission, with support from other national and international institutions.
Key Points:
i.Mission Mausam is a transformative initiative to boost India’s capacity in weather and climate-related sciences and services.
ii.It focuses on tackling extreme weather events and climate change impacts.
iii.The mission will exponentially expand research in atmospheric sciences, including weather surveillance, modeling, forecasting, and management.
iv.Advanced observation systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and high-performance computing will enhance weather prediction accuracy.
v.The mission will provide highly accurate monsoon forecasts, air quality alerts, and information on extreme weather events like cyclones.
- Key tools include next-generation radars, satellite systems with advanced sensors, and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based real-time data systems.
vi.Mission Mausam will benefit sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, defence, aviation, energy, and health, and also support data-driven decision-making across industries like urban planning and environmental monitoring.
Cabinet approves PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism scheme
The Union Cabinet approved the “PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) scheme” with an outlay of Rs 3,435.33 crore for the procurement and operation of over 38,000 electric buses(e-Buses) by Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) from FY 2024-25 (FY25) to FY 2028-29 (FY29).
- This scheme aims to promote e-bus adoption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease fossil fuel consumption.
Key Points:
i.The scheme supports the operation of e-buses for up to 12 years from the date of deployment.
ii.It addresses the challenge of high upfront costs and low revenue by using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC), where PTAs do not pay upfront.
iii.Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and operators procure and operate e-buses, receiving monthly payments from PTAs.A dedicated fund ensures timely payments to OEMs/operators.
- In case of PTA defaults, Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), the implementing agency will make necessary payments which with recoupment later by the PTAs or State/UTs.
iv.This scheme will boost private sector participation, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable public transport across states and Union Territories (UTs).
Cabinet approves implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of Department of Rural Development(DoRD) under the Ministry of Rural Development(MoRD) for the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) for the Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-25 to 2028-29, with a total outlay of Rs 70,125 crore.
- The scheme aims to provide 62,500 kilometer (km) of all-weather roads, connecting 25,000 unconnected habitations across various regions, including plains, hill states, and special category areas.
- The financial assistance is to be provided for both road construction and the building of necessary bridges along the roads.
Key Points:
i.This initiative focuses on unconnected habitations with populations of 500+ in plains, 250+ in hill states, and 100+ in LWE (Left Wing Extremism)-affected districts, based on Census 2011.
ii.The new roads will support socio-economic development by improving access to education, healthcare, markets, and growth centers in remote rural areas.
iii.PMGSY-IV will implement global best practices in road construction, using technologies like Cold Mix, Waste Plastic, Panelled Cement concrete, Cell filled concrete, Full Depth Reclamation and Fly Ash.
iv.Road alignment planning will be enhanced through the PM Gati Shakti portal, aiding in Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation.
Cabinet approves PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved has approved the proposal of Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) for implementation of the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years.
- The scheme aims to accelerate Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption, provide incentives for EV purchase, and enhance EV infrastructure, promoting sustainable mobility and reducing environmental pollution.
Key Points:
i.The scheme allocates Rs 3,679 crore in subsidies for e-2Ws (Two Wheelers), e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging EVs, supporting over 28 lakh vehicles.
- E-vouchers will be introduced to enable buyers to avail demand incentives at the point of purchase.
ii.Rs 500 crore is earmarked for deploying e-ambulances, with standards developed in consultation with key stakeholders including Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
iii.Rs 4,391 crore will fund the procurement of 14,028 e-buses, primarily for cities with populations over 40 lakh, with priority given to replacing old buses under the scrapping scheme.
iv.The scheme allocates Rs 500 crore to promote the deployment of e-trucks, with incentives for those possessing scrapping certificates from MoRTH-Authorized Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF).
v.To address EV range anxiety, Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated for installing public charging stations, including 22,100 fast chargers for e-4Ws, 1,800 fast chargers for e-buses, and 48,400 for e-2Ws/3Ws, in high EV penetration cities and selected highways.
vi.An outlay of Rs 780 crore is approved to modernize the MHI test agencies for handling emerging technologies in green mobility.
vii.The scheme promotes Aatmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic manufacturing through a phased manufacturing program, fostering investment and creating jobs across the EV value chain.
Cabinet approves Modification of the scheme of Budgetary Support for the cost of Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects
The Union Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Power’s(MoP) proposal to modify the scheme of budgetary support for Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP).
- With an outlay of Rs 12,461 crore, the scheme will be implemented from FY25 to FY32, targeting the development of hydro power projects and infrastructure in remote areas.
Key Points:
i.The scheme aims to support 31,350 MW of hydroelectric capacity.
ii.Budgetary support will now cover additional infrastructure costs, including transmission lines, ropeways, railway sidings, and communication infrastructure, alongside roads and bridges.
- Strengthening of existing roads/bridges leading to the projects will also receive central assistance.
iii.Projects with a capacity of more than 25 MW (Mega Watt), including private sector projects and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) up to 15,000 MW, will benefit from this scheme.
iv.The scheme applies to projects where the first major package is awarded by June 30, 2028.
v.Budgetary support is set at Rs 1 crore per MW for projects up to 200 MW and Rs 200 crore plus Rs 0.75 crore per MW for projects above 200 MW, with a maximum of Rs 1.5 crore per MW in exceptional cases.
vi.The revised scheme is expected to accelerate the development of hydroelectric projects, improve infrastructure in remote areas, and create direct and indirect employment, encouraging fresh investments in the hydro power sector.
Cabinet approves health coverage to all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of income under AB PM-JAY
The Union Cabinet has approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
- This initiative will provide health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis for senior citizens aged 70 and above.
Key Points:
i.Approximately 4.5 crore families, or 6 crore senior citizens, will benefit from this initiative.
- Under AB PM-JAY, a unique card would be given to the senior citizens aged 70 and above.
ii.Senior citizens from families already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh exclusively for themselves.
iii.Those already enrolled in public health schemes such as Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can choose their existing scheme or AB PM-JAY.
iv.Senior citizens with private health insurance or Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) will also be eligible for benefits under AB PM-JAY.
