The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to the following proposals which were detailed by Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B):
i.Signing of MoU between ICAI and ICAEW
ii.Signing of MoU between India and South Africa (SA) for cooperation in Disability Sector
iii.Signing of MoU between India and Chile for cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors
iv.CSS Vibrant Villages Programme for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26
v.To set up 2 lakh PACS in next 5 years
vi.7 new battalions; 9,400 personnel for Sino-India LAC guarding ITBP
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between ICAI and ICAEW
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the New Delhi (Delhi) headquartered Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) in London, United Kingdom (UK).
Purpose of MoU:
i.To establish a framework for mutual recognition of qualifications and training between the parties.
ii.To admit members in good standing by creating a bridging mechanism based on the prevailing norms.
What will be done under this MoU?
i.Under this MoU, both sides will exchange information on any material changes to their respective admission requirements, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) policies, exemptions, and other relevant matters.
ii.This collaboration will open up professional opportunities for Indian CAs (Chartered Accountant) both in the UK and globally.
Cabinet approves signing of the MoU between India and SA for cooperation in Disability Sector
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of MoU between India and South Africa(SA) for cooperation in the Disability Sector which will benefit Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) at large and ageing population in both countries who especially require modern, scientific, durable, cost effective aids and assistive devices.
What will be done under the MoU?
i.To encourage cooperation between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India (GoI); and Government of SA through joint initiatives in the disability sector.
ii.To strengthen bilateral ties between India and South Africa
iii.To take up mutually agreed specific proposals for implementation during the period of validity of MoU.
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Chile for cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors
The Cabinet has also approved the signing of MoU between GoI and Chile for cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied sectors. This MoU will remain in force for 5 years which will be automatically renewed for a further period of 5 years.
The areas of cooperation include the following:
i.Agricultural policies for development of modern agriculture
ii.Organic agriculture to facilitate the bilateral trade of organic products
iii.Exchange of policies aimed to develop organic production in both countries
iv.Science and innovation to explore partnerships to promote innovation and collaboration in the agricultural sector among Indian Institutes and Chilean institutes
Key Note:
There will be formation of a Chile-India Agricultural Working Group which will be responsible for the supervision, review and assessment of the implementation of this MoU, and for establishing frequent communication and coordination.
- The meetings for the same will be held once a year alternatively in Chile and India.
Cabinet approves CSS ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26 worth Rs 4800cr
The Union Cabinet has approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)- Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26, the action plan for which i.e. Vibrant Village Action Plans, will be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats.
- There will be 100 % saturation of Central and state schemes.
- This scheme will not overlap with Border Area Development Programme.
Outlay:
Rs 4800 Crore
- Out of this, Rs 2500 crore will be used for roads.
What this scheme envisages?
i.Comprehensive development of villages of blocks on northern border in order to improve the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
ii.To encourage people to stay in their native locations in border areas to control outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border.
What will be done under this scheme?
i.Funds will be provided for the development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT (Union Territory) along the northern land border of India which will help in achieving inclusive growth in the border areas.
ii.In the first phase 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme.
iii.It will aid to identify and develop the economic drivers, and will also help in the development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship
iv.It will utilize the tourism through promotion of local cultural, traditional knowledge and heritage and development of sustainable eco-agribusinesses on the concept of ‘One village-One product’ through community based organizations, Cooperatives, SHGs (Self Help Groups), NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) etc.
Benefit:
This scheme will provide connectivity with all weather road, drinking water, 24×7 electricty – Solar and wind energy, mobile and internet connectivity, tourist centers, multi-purpose centers and health and wellness Centers.
Cabinet approves plan to set up 2 lakh PACS in next 5 years
The Union Cabinet has also approved the strengthening cooperative movement in India and deepening its reach up to the grassroots. In this regard, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) has formulated a plan to establish 2 lakh Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) in uncovered villages/panchayats, and viable fishery cooperatives in each coastal Panchayat/village as well as Panchayat/village having large water bodies over the next 5 years.
There will be strengthening of existing PACS/dairy/fishery cooperatives through convergence of various schemes of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying by leveraging the ‘whole-of-Government’ approach. The following schemes have been identified for convergence under the current plan:
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying:
- National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), and
- Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF)
Department of Fisheries:
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development (FIDF)
Key Points:
i.The action plan for implementation of the project is prepared by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and National Fishery Development Board (NFDB).
ii.At present, there are around 63,000 functional PACS in the country.
- They are being computerised with a total budget outlay of Rs 2,516 crore which includes a central share of Rs 1,528 crore.
iii.This setting up of PACS will provide farmer members with requisite forward and backward linkages and enhance their income, and also help in generating employment opportunities in rural areas.
Formation of Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC):
For the smooth implementation of the above mentioned plan, a high level Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) under the chairmanship of Union Minister Amit Shah, MoC with Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Minister for Fishery, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Secretaries concerned; Chairman NABARD, NDDB and Chief Executive NFDB, as members has been constituted.
- It is empowered to take necessary steps, including suitable modifications in the guidelines of the schemes identified for convergence.
- Committees at National, State and District levels have also been constituted to ensure focused and effective execution of the action plan.
CSS approves 7 new battalions; 9,400 personnel for Sino-India LAC guarding ITBP
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the raising of seven new battalions of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force by 2025-26.
- This will entail recruitment of 9,400 personnel for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh where 47 new border outposts and 12 staging camps are under construction.
Key Points:
i.The outposts were sanctioned in January 2020. In all, there are 176 outposts of the ITBP along the 3,488-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) i.e. India-China border.
ii.Under this decision, Rs 1,808.15 crore non-recurring expenditure has been approved for construction of official and residential buildings, land acquisition, arms and ammunition.
iii.A recurring expenditure of Rs 963.68 crore per year for the salary and ration of personnel has been approved.
iv.The decision will increase the strength of the ITBP from the current 88,000 to 97,000, making it the fourth largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).
