Central Government lead by Prime Minister Narendra Modi given its approvals to various projects and agreements.
Union Cabinet approved Development of Pune Metro Rail Project Phase – 1
The Cabinet Committee headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on December 7, 2016, gave the approval for the development of the Phase-I of the Rs 11,420 crore Pune metro rail project.
- The project will cover a length of 31.254 km and consist of two corridors.
- Corridor-1: It will cover a length of 16.589 km of which h11.57 km elevated and 5.019 km underground and connect Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Swargate.
- Corriodor-2: It will cover a length of 14.665 km which will be completely elevated and connect Vanaz to Ramwadi.
- Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-METRO) that will be equally owned company of Union Government and Maharashtra Government will be responsible to implement the project. The project will be covered under the legal framework of the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002; the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978; and the Railways Act, 1989.
Benefits of Pune metro rail
- It will provide connectivity to densest and conjested routes of the city and will benefit approximately 50 lakh population of Pune Metropolitan Area.
- It will help to reduce traffic, pollution and enable fast, safe, comfortable transportation system in the city.
Cabinet approved MoU between India and Vietnam on Cooperation in IT
The Union Cabinet on December 7, 2016, approved MoU between India and Vietnam on Cooperation in the field of IT.
- Aim: to develop a long-term sustainable cooperation in the areas of IT between the two countries following each country’s laws and regulations.
- A Joint Working Group on IT will be established consisting of representatives from both the countries to implement the project.
- The MoU will be valid for a period of five years and thereafter will be renewable by mutual written consent between India and Vietnam.
- The MoU will benefit the IT Sector of both the countries through institutional and capacity building in IT and Human Resource Development.
Vietnam :
- Capital: Hanoi
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
- President: Trần Đại Quang
Unoin Cabinet approved MoU between India and Afghanistan on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
The Union Cabinet approved the MoU between India and Afghanistan on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Aim: cooperation between the two countries for application of space technologies in education, agriculture, weather forecasting, telecommunications, rural health, sanitation, urban development, resource mapping navigation, remote sensing etc.
Benefits of MoU
- Strengthen bilateral ties and mutual understanding between India and Afghanistan.
- Improve India’s position among nation with advanced space technology and will be able to assist other countries.
- India will have a chance to gain a place in Afghanistan’s strategic space and communication sector.
- It will help in the development of space sector in Afghanistan.
- Create high-tech jobs opportunity in both the countries in the area of Science & Technology, R&D and implementation.
Afghanistan:
- Capital: Kabul
- Currency: Afghan afghani
- President: Ashraf Ghani
Union Cabinet approved Reforms to boost employment generation and exports in Made-ups Sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on December 7, 2016 gave the approval to the reforms to boost employment generation and exports in the Made-ups Sector.
Aim: to improve competitiveness and generate large scale dirct and indirect jobs in the textile sector through labour reforms employing upto 11 lakh persons over the next three years in the made-ups sector.
Important Approvals Made
- The government approved provision of additional subsidyof 10 per cent to be given for made-up garments through the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS).
- The Cabinet also increased government funding for provident funds of new employees to boost hiring.
- The Pradhan Mantri Paridhan Rozgar Protsahan Yojana (PMPRPY) scheme has been extended in the made-ups sector that will require additional 3.67 per cent share of employer’s contribution along with earlier 8.33 per cent of the employer’s contribution for the first three years to every employee.
- Government also simplified labour laws by increasing permissible overtime up to 100 hours per quarter in made-up manufacturing sector.
Union Cabinet approved MoU between India and UK to support Ease of Doing Business in India
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on December 7, 2016, approved the MoU signed between India and United Kingdom (UK) in area of Ease of Doing Business in India.
- The MoU allows exchange of officials from both the countries to share best practises, offer technical assistance and enhanced implementation of reforms.
Benefits of the MoU :
- Various agencies of the UK government will offer professional courses on better regulation drafting for officials, capacity-building of frontline inspectors, sharing of best practises to Indian officials.
- The Government of India will be able to adopt innovative practises leading to easing of regulatory environment in the country and fostering of conducive business climate in India.
UK :
- Capital: London
- Currency: Pound sterling
- Prime minister: Theresa May
Govt Announced ZED certification scheme
Government on December 8, 2016, announced the Zero Effect Zero Defect (ZED) certification scheme which will guide and assist MSMEs across the country in Make in India sectors through quality control cells and rate them after carrying out assessment of their products.
- Aim: to raise quality levels in the unregulated MSME sector.
- With ZED assessment and adoption of proper tools, MSMEs will be able to reduce wastages, increase productivity, expand their market as lOPs, become vendors to CPSUs, have more IPRs, develop new products and processes.
- The assessment model based on quality and environment parameters designed by the Quality Council of India will initially target units belonging to sectors like textiles, apparel, food products and beverages, among others.
Zero Effect Zero Defect (ZED) scheme
- The ZED scheme was launched in October by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to manufacture high quality product with minimal negative impact on environment.
- The ZED certification scheme having a total budget of Rs 491 crore, including Government of India contribution of Rs 365 crore, will be implemented during the 12th Five Year Plan.
