|
MAJOR DECISIONS – II
The UPA Government is completing one year on May 21, 2005. During this period, the Government has taken several milestone decisions. Some of the major decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, are listed below. The dates on which the decisions were taken are given in bracket.
Implementation of Central Sector Scheme “Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds” in X Plan with a total plan outlay of Rs.159 crore.[8.4.2005]
Enhancement of assistance to disabled persons. Income eligibility ceiling has been raised from the existing Rs.5000 per month to Rs.6500/- for 100 per cent and from Rs.6501 to Rs.10,000 per month for 50 per cent concession.[8.4.2005]
Strengthening distribution network of PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG for the targeted segments of the population in line with the National Common Minimum Programme. [8.4.2005]
Providing additional incentive in the form of capital subsidy for the processing machinery under Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS). The additional capital subsidy of 10 per cent for textile processing units will encourage the textile processing sector to undertake modernization and become internationally competitive. [20.4.2005]
Umbrella Scheme of “Studies on Inputs for Agricultural Economic Policy and Development” with an outlay of Rs.110.89 crore. It envisages studying the cost of cultivation of principal crops and setting up agro-economic research centres.[20.4.2005]
Restructuring of the Jute Corporation of India for strengthening its financial footing so that it can play an effective role in maintaining Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Jute and in stabilizing prices through large scale buffer stock operations.[27.4.2005]
Continuation of the existing 1562 Fast Track Courts for a further period of five years involving an expenditure of Rs.509 crore.[27.4.2005]
Approval for design and manufacture of small civilian aircraft by National Aerospace Laboratories and CSIR. The project will catalyse Feeder airlines services by building of air-bridges between smaller towns and in inaccessible geographical terrain like the N-E region, providing societal services like air ambulance, disaster relief and security operations such as surveillance and coast guard, etc. [27.4.2005]
Bill to amend section 66 of the Factories Act to provide flexibility in the matter of employment of women. The new provisions in the Act no woman shall be required or allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6 A.M. and 7 P.M.[29.3.2005]
Conversion of Manipur University into a Central University. The proposed Manipur University would broadly function on the pattern of the existing Central universities. The College of Technology, Imphal would be maintained by the Manipur University after its conversion into a Central university. [29.3.2005]
Approval to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to bid for Asian Games, 2014. [29.3.2005]
Declaring NAFED as an agency in addition to Cotton Corporation of India for undertaking price support operation in cotton in addition to Cotton Corporation of India. [17.2.2005]
Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification. The new scheme replaces the existing scheme of accelerated electrification of one lakh villages and one crore households. The Minimum Need Programme (MNP) for rural electrification would also be merged in the new scheme. The scheme with 90 per cent capital subsidy would finance projects for creation of rural electricity distribution backbone of 33/11 KV or 66/11 KV substations, creation of village electricity infrastructure and decentralized distribution and supply system.[17.2.2005]
Implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Assistance for Capacity Building’ during X Plan period for providing financial assistance to the States/Union Territories for upgradation and strengthening of emergency facilities of hospitals in towns/cities located on National Highways with an outlay of Rs.110 crore.[4.1.2005]
Constitution of “National Investment Fund”. The broad investment objective of the Fund will be investment in social sector projects which promote education, healthcare and employment; and capital investment in selected profitable PSEs that yield adequate returns, in order to enlarge their capital base to finance expansion/ diversification.[27.1.2005]
Implementation of “Umbrella Scheme on Technology Vision 2020 Projects in Mission Mode” in six identified areas, including agriculture agro-food processing; road construction and transportation equipment; upgradation of textile machinery/industry; healthcare services and herbal/natural products and upgradation of science and engineering colleges with an outlay of Rs.347.54 crore upto 2006-07. The Scheme would benefit in strengthening the technological capabilities of the nation in the respective sector; imparting skills to the rural masses and unemployed youth; bridging technological gap in harnessing country’s potential in technology development frontier areas; making India globally competitive by producing world class quality products/processes and realization of a developed India by 2020. [27.1.2005]
Introduction of a new scheme namely “Scheme of Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification”. [15.12.2004]
Scheme of Information and Communication Technology in Schools. This is a Centrally sponsored scheme with an allocation of Rs.800 crore during X Plan and will cover 9380 Secondary and Higher Secondary schools. Financing pattern of the scheme is 75 per cent by the Centre and 25 per cent by the States.[15.12.2004]
Approval for acquisition of 109 vessels to strengthen Customs Marine Capability at an estimated cost of Rs.153.85 crore.[15.12.2004]
Cost Neutralisation Scheme for Export of Indian Cotton. Approval for export of 20 lakh bales of cotton by Cotton Corporation of India for the cotton season 2004-05. The Scheme would provide cost neutralization to the cotton exporters to make exports competitive. [22.12.2004]
Constitution of Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises. The Board will advise the Government on ways and means for strengthening public sector enterprises in general and making them more autonomous and professional. It will also advise the Government on disinvestments/closure/sale in full or part in respect of chronically sick/loss making companies which cannot be revived as also monitor incipient sickness in CPSEs.[3.11.2004]
National Mission on Bamboo Applications by Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council during X Plan with a budgetary support of Rs.100 crore from the Department of S&T and an anticipated contribution of Rs.64 crore by participating agencies and partners. The investment would lead to an anticipated value addition of around Rs.800 crore annually by the end of X Plan period and to substantial employment creation. [3.11.2004]
Sanctioning of Rs.150 crore as the share of the Central Government (90 per cent grant and 10 per cent loan) for taking up critical flood control and anti-erosion schemes in Brahmaputra and Barak Valley by the State Governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur) during X Plan period.[24.11.2004]
Approval for execution of Kameng Hydro-electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs.2496.90 crore.[24.11.2004]
Additional investment in Sakhalin I project of ONGC Videsh. The Government has authorized ONGC Videsh Ltd. to invest an additional amount of up to US$1.07 billion for the Phase I development of Sakhalin-I offshore field. ONGC/OVL will raise this money from their own resources. The additional investment in the project will help in acquiring equity oil abroad and will help in increasing oil security for the country. [24.11.2004]
Implementation of National Cancer Control Programme at an outlay of Rs.266 crore during X Five Year Plan. Approval for incurring of expenditure on infrastructural facilities in the 2nd campus of CNCI, Kolkata to the extent of Rs.25 crore in XI Plan. This is aimed at enhanced availability of cancer treatment facilities.[24.11.2004]
Development of Indira Gandhi National Open University and Open Learning System during X Plan period at an expenditure of Rs.510 crore out of which Government of India share will be Rs.380 crore. The Government has also decided to continue the Scheme at the tertiary level after X Plan period. [13.10.2004]
Approval for continuation of Development and Reform Facility by allocation of Rs.1000 crore per annum for the Special Plan for Bihar during the remaining three years of X Plan (2004-05 to 2006-07) and allocation of Rs.250 crore per annum for the Special Plan for the undivided Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) districts of Orissa. With the implementation of this scheme, accelerated socio-economic development of the areas is expected, particularly in terms of the interventions specific to each area.[13.10.2004]
Implementation of INDUS Project launched by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, in cooperation with the Department of Labour, USA under ILO in 20 identified districts in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and the NCT of Delhi. The project will provide rehabilitation of 80,000 working children in the identified hazardous industries.[13.10.2004]
Setting up of Investment Commission. The Commission will help in promoting the flow of investment both domestic and foreign. The Commission will endeavour to reduce gap between proposals and projects under implementation and to quicken the pace of investment. [27.10.2004]
Implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance Project at an outlay of Rs.408.36 crore during the period 2004-09. The project would be implemented in the entire country. [15.9.2004]
Approval for an outlay of Rs.445 crore for National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) during X Plan. [17.9.2004]
Setting up of National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council to provide a continuing forum for policy dialogue to energise and sustain the growth of the manufacturing industry like food processing, textiles & garments, engineering, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, capital goods, leather and IT hardware. [17.9.2004]
Extension of World Bank assisted Revised National TB Control Programme by one and half years starting from April 2004 in two phases i.e. April 2004 to September 2004 at a cost of Rs.75.20 crore and October 2004 to September 2005 at a cost of Rs. 160.57 crore. The direct benefit of the project will be treatment of 14 lakh patients during the extended project period of whom atleast 11.9 lakh patients would be cured. This will result in averting atleast 2.5 lakh deaths.[29.9.2004]
Implementation of Technology Mission on Cotton during X Plan with an outlay of Rs.568.17 crore including Central share of Rs.472.60 crore. The Scheme will increase cotton production to about 215 lakh bales by the end of X Plan. The productivity level is expected to increase to 388 kg per hectare from the present level of 269 kg per hectare. [25.8.2004]
Development and Operation of International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) in Cochin Port. The project will improve the container handling facilities at the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT), Kochi and result in establishment of container handling facilities for trans-shipment purposes at Cochin Port.[25.8.2004]
RK:LV
PIB SF-2 (6.5.2005)
|
