On May 24, 2017, Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved following bilateral agreements and initiatives:
Cabinet apprised of MoU between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
Union Cabinet has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The MoU was signed in New Delhi in April, 2017.
This MoU envisages cooperation between India and Bangladesh in following areas:
- Space science and planetary exploration
- Technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth
- Satellite communication and satellite based navigation
- Use of spacecraft, space systems and ground system
- Application of space technology.
Provisions of this MoU will be implemented by a Joint Working Group comprising members from Department of Space/ Indian Space Research Organisation, and the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Cabinet approves Raising of Bonds of Rs. 2360 crores for Renewable Energy
Union Cabinet has given its approval to raise Bonds of Rs. 2360 crores for renewable energy through the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) during the 2017-18.
Background Information:
In Union Budget 2016-17, Government had allocated Rs. 4000 crores to IREDA to raise “GOI fully serviced taxable Bonds” on behalf of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) during the FY 2016-17. So far, IREDA has raised Rs. 1640 crores as per the requirement of MNRE. The MNRE subsequently approached the Cabinet, to approve raising of balance Rs. 2360 crores.
The funds will be used by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) in:
- Approved programmes/schemes for solar park
- Green energy corridor
- Generation-based incentives for wind projects
- Central Public Sector Undertakings and defence solar projects
- Viability gap funding for solar projects, roof-top solar, off-grid/grid-distributed and decentralized renewable power
- Investment in corporations and autonomous bodies
These investments will boost infrastructure in renewable sector and will facilitate achievement of ambitious targets for the renewable energy sector.
Cabinet approves Joint Declaration of Intent between Germany and India regarding cooperation in the sector of alternative medicine
The signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDl) will enhance bilateral cooperation between India and Germany in the areas of traditional/alternative medicine.
- The JDI envisages collaborative research, training and scientific capacity building in the field of alternative medicine. This will create employment opportunities in the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)
- These activities will be carried out from existing allocation to Ministry of AYUSH and thus does not entail any additional financial implications.
Quick Facts about Germany:
- Capital: Berlin
- Currency: Euro
- Chancellor: Angela Merkel
Cabinet approves phasing out Foreign Investment Promotion Board
Union cabinet has approved phasing out of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).
- Now onwards processing of applications for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and seeking approval of the Government will be handled by the concerned Ministries/Departments in consultation with the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) under Union Ministry of Commerce.
- DIPP will soon issue the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the same.
- This move will enhance ease of doing business in India and will position India as an attractive investment destination for foreign investors.
Cabinet approves MoU between Spain and India on cooperation in the field of Organ Transplant Service
Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Directorate General of Health Services under Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare National Transplant Organization, Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, Spain on cooperation in the organ and tissue procurement and transplantation services.
- The knowledge gained, will help in improving the services rendered to the patients suffering from end stage organ failure.
Quick Facts about Spain:
- Capital: Madrid
- Currency: Euro
- Current Prime Minister: Mariano Rajoy
Cabinet approves setting up of new AIIMS in Kamrup, Assam
Union Cabinet has given its approval for establishment of new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Kamrup, Assam. It will be set up under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) at the cost of Rs.1123 crore.
Setting up of AIIMS, Kamrup will take 48 months.
AIIMS, Kamrup will have following facilities:
- A hospital with a capacity of 750 beds, 22 Speciality/Super-Speciality Departments including 16 operation theatres and Trauma center facilities
- It will also have an AYUSH department with 30 beds for providing treatment facilities in traditional system of medicine.
- Medical college with an intake of 100 MBBS students per year.
- Nursing college with an intake of 60 B.Sc. (Nursing) students per year.
- Residential complexes and allied facilities.
About Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)
PMSSY aims at correcting the imbalances in the availability of affordable healthcare facilities in the different parts of the country in general, and augmenting facilities for quality medical education in the under-served States in particular.
- It was approved in March 2006.
- Under this scheme, AIIMS have been established in Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur, Rishikesh and Patna while work of AIIMS Rae Bareli is in progress.
- Three AIIMS in Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani (West Bengal) and Mangalagiri in Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) have been sanctioned in 2015 and two AIIMS have been sanctioned at Bathinda and Gorakhpur in 2016.
