Here are the major initiatives that got the approval of the Union Cabinet:
Kovind Committee Report on ‘One Nation, One Election’
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unanimously approved the recommendations submitted by the high-level committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’.
The committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, had submitted its report in March before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
The acceptance of the report was part of the 100-day agenda of the Law Ministry, and it was presented before the Cabinet for consideration. The main recommendation of the committee was to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as a first step, followed by local body elections within 100 days.
The panel also suggested the formation of an ‘implementation group’. This group will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the proposed electoral reforms and ensuring a smooth transition towards the ‘one nation, one election’ system.
New Moon Mission- Chandrayaan-4
The government has given the green signal to a new lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, which aims to demonstrate and refine technologies needed to safely land Indian astronauts on the Moon and bring them back to Earth. The mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, is a key step towards India’s goal of landing astronauts on the lunar surface by 2040.
Chandrayaan-4 will focus on demonstrating key technologies such as docking, undocking, landing, and safe return to Earth. Additionally, the mission will involve collecting and analyzing lunar samples, which will further enhance our understanding of the Moon’s composition and potential resources.
The estimated cost of this technology demonstration mission is Rs 2,104.06 crore.
The mission is expected to be completed within a time frame of 36 months after approval, with contributions from both industry partners and academic institutions.
Subsidy of Rs 24,475 crore on P&K fertilizers for Rabi season
The Union Cabinet has approved a subsidy of Rs 24,474.53 crore on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the Rabi season 2024-25. The decision has been taken to ensure that crop nutrients are available to farmers at affordable prices. Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates have been approved for P&K fertilizers for Rabi season 2024, running from October 2024 to March 2025.
According to the official statement, the tentative budgetary requirement for Rabi season 2024 will be around Rs 24,475.53 crore. The government aims to ensure that farmers can get fertilizers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices. Through fertilizer manufacturers and importers, the government is making 28 grades of P&K fertilizers available to farmers at subsidized rates.
Subsidy on P&K fertilizers is being governed by the NBS Scheme from April 1, 2010. This recent decision of the Government is expected to benefit farmers during the forthcoming Rabi season by ensuring adequate supply of essential crop nutrients at reasonable prices.
Continuation of PM-AASHA to ensure better prices for farmers
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the PM-ASHA scheme, for which a budget of Rs 35,000 crore was allocated. The initiative aims to ensure that farmers get a fair price for their produce as well as to control price fluctuations of essential commodities for the benefit of consumers. “The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of schemes of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-ASHA) to provide remunerative prices to farmers and to control price fluctuations of essential commodities for the benefit of consumers,” an official statement said.
According to the statement, the financial outlay for the scheme is estimated to be Rs 35,000 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle, which will run till 2025-26. In an effort to streamline and optimize benefits for both farmers and consumers, the government has integrated the Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) schemes under PM-AASHA.
Prime Minister’s Tribal Advanced Village Campaign
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Unnat Gram Abhiyan, a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities across the country. The programme with a total outlay of Rs 79,156 crore includes a central share of Rs 56,333 crore and state share of Rs 22,823 crore. The programme will focus on providing full coverage to tribal families living in tribal-dominated villages and aspiring districts.
The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Unnat Gram Abhiyan will have a far-reaching presence, covering all tribal-dominated villages in 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across 30 States and Union Territories.
‘Bio-Ride’ scheme to support research and development in biotechnology
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the continuation of two flagship schemes under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These schemes have been consolidated into a single programme called ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE)’, which introduces a new component focusing on biomanufacturing and biofoundry.
The Bio-RIDE scheme aims to accelerate research efforts, promote product development and bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications. By integrating two existing schemes and introducing the biomanufacturing and biofoundry component, the government aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports the growth and advancement of the biotechnology sector in India.
