News Analysis India

Tag: Union Cabinet

  • Putting things in order: Nat’l litigation policy finalised

    New Delhi: Assuming charge as the law minister for the second term, Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday signed a document finalising the national litigation policy which seeks to expedite the resolution of cases pending in apex, high and lower courts. The national litigation policy has been in the making for the past several years with successive governments trying to finalise its modalities.

    The policy document will be tabled before the Union Cabinet for approval, said people in the know. Interacting with media after taking charge, Meghwal said a key priority of the law ministry would be to ensure faster justice in cases hanging fire in various courts.

  • Modi 3.0: Cabinet sees 6 Maharashtra ministers including Gadkari, Goyal; State’s strength dips by 2

    Mumbai: Six MPs from Maharashtra have joined the Modi 3.0 coalition government, with the BJP securing four positions and allies Shiv Sena and RPI (A) receiving one each. Notably, the NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar declined the BJP’s offer of Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge, insisting on a cabinet berth for Praful Patel.During the second term of the Modi government from 2019-24, there were eight ministers from Maharashtra representing the BJP and its allies. This number has decreased to six as of Sunday.In the new government, BJP MPs Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal retained their positions as cabinet ministers.Raksha Khadse, the sole woman MP from Maharashtra representing the BJP, along with first-time MP Murlidhar Mohol, were sworn in as Ministers of State.AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesAmong the BJP’s allies, RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale retained his position as Minister of State with independent charge, while Prataprao Jadhav from the Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also took oath as Minister of State with independent charge.The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, declined the offer of Minister of State, insisting on a cabinet berth for Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel due to his extensive experience.Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said coalition formulas must be respected, assuring the NCP would be considered in future cabinet expansions. “We had offered one berth of minister with independent charge to the NCP but they wanted Praful Patel’s name to be finalised. Due to his experience, the NCP believed he could not be made MoS with independent charge,” Fadnavis said.

    In a coalition government, a formula has to be drawn, which cannot be broken for one party, he said.

    “I can confidently say whenever cabinet expansion takes place, the government will consider the NCP. We did try to include NCP right now, but they insisted on cabinet portfolio,” the senior BJP leader said.

    Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Ajit Pawar asserted the NCP “was ready to wait” but wanted a cabinet berth.

    The eight ministers from Maharashtra who were part of the Modi-led government from 2019-24 included Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Narayan Rane, Bhagwat Karad, Raosaheb Danve, Bharti Pawar and Kapil Patil- all from BJP, and Ramdas Athawale of the RPI (A).

    In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the BJP fared poorly in Maharashtra as it could win only nine seats, compared to the 2019 tally of 23 out of the total 48 constituencies in the state. The Shiv Sena led by Shinde bagged seven seats and Ajit Pawar-led NCP just one.

    Gadkari, Goyal, Khadse and Mohol won from Nagpur, Mumbai North, Raver and Pune Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively, in the recent elections.

    Notably, the BJP did not re-induct Narayan Rane in the Union cabinet though he won from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat.

    Three other BJP ministers – Raosaheb Danve, Bharati Pawar, and Kapil Patil- in the previous government lost the elections this time.

    Inputs from PTI

  • Cabinet clears Telecommunication Bill; may not be tabled in current Parliament session

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared the Indian Telecommunication Bill 2023, but the government may not table it in the current Parliament session, according to sources.

    According to sources, the government has relaxed a significant part of internet-based calling and messaging services from the ambit of telecom rules.

    “Cabinet has cleared Indian Telecommunication Bill 2023 but the government is not in a hurry to table it in the current session,” a source, who did not wish to be identified, said.

    The government had proposed to include internet-based communication services, in-flight and maritime connectivity services, interpersonal communications services, machine-to-machine communication services and over-the-top (OTT) communication services under the ambit of telecom service in the draft Bill floated for public consultation.

    The government during the consultation process had said that users’ protection will be a key focus of the Indian Telecommunication Bill.

    The bill seeks to replace three laws — the Indian Telegraph Act, of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, of 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, of 1950.

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared the Indian Telecommunication Bill 2023, but the government may not table it in the current Parliament session, according to sources.

    According to sources, the government has relaxed a significant part of internet-based calling and messaging services from the ambit of telecom rules.

    “Cabinet has cleared Indian Telecommunication Bill 2023 but the government is not in a hurry to table it in the current session,” a source, who did not wish to be identified, said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    The government had proposed to include internet-based communication services, in-flight and maritime connectivity services, interpersonal communications services, machine-to-machine communication services and over-the-top (OTT) communication services under the ambit of telecom service in the draft Bill floated for public consultation.

    The government during the consultation process had said that users’ protection will be a key focus of the Indian Telecommunication Bill.

    The bill seeks to replace three laws — the Indian Telegraph Act, of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, of 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, of 1950.

  • Cabinet approves Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill that proposes to introduce more categories for film certification and also brings in stricter penal provisions to prevent film piracy. The Bill will be presented in the Parliament in the upcoming session.

    The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that content is not affected by piracy and safeguards the interest and investments of producers and filmmakers.

    The Bill proposes imprisonment ranging from three months to three years and a fine of Rs 3-10 lakh which may extend to a sum of up to 5 per cent of the audited gross production cost of the film, to prevent film piracy.

    Under the proposed amendments pertaining to the certification of films under the ‘unrestricted public exhibition’, the Bill has introduced new film certification categories including ‘U’ or universal, ‘U/A 7+’, ‘U/A 13+’, and ‘U/A 16+’, besides an ‘A’ rating for content restricted for viewing by only adults.

    At present, under the Indian Cinematograph Act, three categories of film certification exist – unrestricted public exhibition or ‘U’, parental guidance required for children under 12 or ‘U/A’, and adult films or ‘A’.

    The proposed amendments allowing the sub-categorisation for film certification purposes, appear to be in line with the age-based restrictions recently implemented for over-the-top (OTT) content providers under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (Intermediary Rules).

    In June 2021, the government had issued a notification seeking public comments on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021, proposing two further amendments to the Cinematograph Act than those already proposed in 2019.

    The purpose was to make the process of sanctioning films for exhibition more effective, in tune with the changed times and curb the menace of piracy. These were the introduction of age-based categories for film certification and penal provisions imposed for film piracy.

    Earlier in February 2019, the Government had introduced the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in Rajya Sabha, with the objective of curbing and punishing large-scale film piracy.

    Also, the 2019 version proposed prohibiting a person from using a recording device to make a copy or transmit a film, without the written authorisation of the copyright owner of the film.

    It aimed to tackle film piracy by including penal provisions for unauthorised cam-cording and duplication of films in an exhibition facility.

    However, after the parliamentary committee on IT had made a slew of changes to the 2019 bill, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting brought its 2021 version, which has now been cleared by the Union Cabinet.

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill that proposes to introduce more categories for film certification and also brings in stricter penal provisions to prevent film piracy. The Bill will be presented in the Parliament in the upcoming session.

    The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that content is not affected by piracy and safeguards the interest and investments of producers and filmmakers.

    The Bill proposes imprisonment ranging from three months to three years and a fine of Rs 3-10 lakh which may extend to a sum of up to 5 per cent of the audited gross production cost of the film, to prevent film piracy.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Under the proposed amendments pertaining to the certification of films under the ‘unrestricted public exhibition’, the Bill has introduced new film certification categories including ‘U’ or universal, ‘U/A 7+’, ‘U/A 13+’, and ‘U/A 16+’, besides an ‘A’ rating for content restricted for viewing by only adults.

    At present, under the Indian Cinematograph Act, three categories of film certification exist – unrestricted public exhibition or ‘U’, parental guidance required for children under 12 or ‘U/A’, and adult films or ‘A’.

    The proposed amendments allowing the sub-categorisation for film certification purposes, appear to be in line with the age-based restrictions recently implemented for over-the-top (OTT) content providers under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (Intermediary Rules).

    In June 2021, the government had issued a notification seeking public comments on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021, proposing two further amendments to the Cinematograph Act than those already proposed in 2019.

    The purpose was to make the process of sanctioning films for exhibition more effective, in tune with the changed times and curb the menace of piracy. These were the introduction of age-based categories for film certification and penal provisions imposed for film piracy.

    Earlier in February 2019, the Government had introduced the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in Rajya Sabha, with the objective of curbing and punishing large-scale film piracy.

    Also, the 2019 version proposed prohibiting a person from using a recording device to make a copy or transmit a film, without the written authorisation of the copyright owner of the film.

    It aimed to tackle film piracy by including penal provisions for unauthorised cam-cording and duplication of films in an exhibition facility.

    However, after the parliamentary committee on IT had made a slew of changes to the 2019 bill, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting brought its 2021 version, which has now been cleared by the Union Cabinet.

  • Cabinet approves projects worth 6600 cr to strengthen India’s borders

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: In a bid to make the borders of India more secure through people’s participation coupled with additional troop deployment, the Union Cabinet has approved centrally sponsored schemes worth over 6600 crores, to be spent on infrastructural development over the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26.  

    In two significant decisions taken on Wednesday, the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the induction of seven additional battalions of Indo-Tibetan Border Police, primarily meant to guard the India-China border and also approved the “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP) with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore till 2025-26.

    Amidst the continuing unrest along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the induction of seven additional battalions of ITBP, to guard the Indo-China border and setting up of a sector headquarters (SHQ) to supervise them has been cleared. The additional battalions will be raised to man 47 new Border Out Posts (BOPs) and 12 staging camps, further strengthening the security grip along the LAC, Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said.

    An estimated cost of Rs 1,800 cr will be spent for the construction of office and residential buildings, land acquisition, and purchase of arms and ammunition. Around ₹963 crores will be spent per year on salaries, ration of the personnel and other recurring expenditure, the minister said.

    A total of 9,400 troops will be inducted into the ITBP for the additional seven battalions and the sector headquarter, according to people familiar with the matter. The additional battalions and the SHQ will help fill gaps on border posts. The establishment of these battalions and sector headquarters is expected to be completed by 2025-26.

    Informing about the VVP project meant for the villages located along India’s border, Thakur said with a financial allocation of Rs 4800 cr upto 2025-26, comprehensive development of villages of blocks on northern border has been cleared with an aim to improve the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.

    The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country which will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas. In the first phase 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme, the minister said.

    Elaborating further Thakur said, the scheme aids to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on the northern border and development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship.  “This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border,” Thakur said.

    The VVP also aims to leverage the tourism potential 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 organisations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.

    NEW DELHI: In a bid to make the borders of India more secure through people’s participation coupled with additional troop deployment, the Union Cabinet has approved centrally sponsored schemes worth over 6600 crores, to be spent on infrastructural development over the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26.  

    In two significant decisions taken on Wednesday, the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the induction of seven additional battalions of Indo-Tibetan Border Police, primarily meant to guard the India-China border and also approved the “Vibrant Villages Programme” (VVP) with financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore till 2025-26.

    Amidst the continuing unrest along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the induction of seven additional battalions of ITBP, to guard the Indo-China border and setting up of a sector headquarters (SHQ) to supervise them has been cleared. The additional battalions will be raised to man 47 new Border Out Posts (BOPs) and 12 staging camps, further strengthening the security grip along the LAC, Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said.

    An estimated cost of Rs 1,800 cr will be spent for the construction of office and residential buildings, land acquisition, and purchase of arms and ammunition. Around ₹963 crores will be spent per year on salaries, ration of the personnel and other recurring expenditure, the minister said.

    A total of 9,400 troops will be inducted into the ITBP for the additional seven battalions and the sector headquarter, according to people familiar with the matter. The additional battalions and the SHQ will help fill gaps on border posts. The establishment of these battalions and sector headquarters is expected to be completed by 2025-26.

    Informing about the VVP project meant for the villages located along India’s border, Thakur said with a financial allocation of Rs 4800 cr upto 2025-26, comprehensive development of villages of blocks on northern border has been cleared with an aim to improve the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.

    The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country which will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas. In the first phase 663 Villages will be taken up in the programme, the minister said.

    Elaborating further Thakur said, the scheme aids to identify and develop the economic drivers based on local natural human and other resources of the border villages on the northern border and development of growth centres on “Hub and Spoke Model” through promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship.  “This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border,” Thakur said.

    The VVP also aims to leverage the tourism potential 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 organisations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs etc.

  • Cabinet okays 1.5 per cent interest subvention on short-term agri loans of up to Rs 3 lakh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an interest subvention of 1.5 per cent on short-term agriculture loans of up to Rs 3 lakh for all financial institutions, a move aimed at ensuring adequate credit flow in the farm sector.

    The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved restoring interest subvention on short-term agriculture loans of 1.5 per cent for all financial institutions, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said.

    The 1.5 per cent interest subvention will be provided to lending institutions (public and private sector banks, small finance banks, regional rural banks, cooperative banks and computerised Primary Agriculture Credit Societies) for the financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25 for providing short-term agri loans of up to Rs 3 lakh to farmers.

    “This increase in Interest Subvention support requires additional budgetary provisions of Rs 34,856 crore for the period of 2022-23 to 2024-25 under the scheme,” an official statement said.

    The increase in interest subvention will ensure the sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as financial health and viability of the lending institutions.

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an interest subvention of 1.5 per cent on short-term agriculture loans of up to Rs 3 lakh for all financial institutions, a move aimed at ensuring adequate credit flow in the farm sector.

    The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved restoring interest subvention on short-term agriculture loans of 1.5 per cent for all financial institutions, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said.

    The 1.5 per cent interest subvention will be provided to lending institutions (public and private sector banks, small finance banks, regional rural banks, cooperative banks and computerised Primary Agriculture Credit Societies) for the financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25 for providing short-term agri loans of up to Rs 3 lakh to farmers.

    “This increase in Interest Subvention support requires additional budgetary provisions of Rs 34,856 crore for the period of 2022-23 to 2024-25 under the scheme,” an official statement said.

    The increase in interest subvention will ensure the sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as financial health and viability of the lending institutions.

  • Cabinet hikes dearness allowance by 3 per cent for central government employees

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday hiked Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) by 3 per cent to 34 per cent to benefit over 1.16 crore central government employees and pensioners.

    The additional instalment will be effective from January 1, 2022, said an official release after the Cabinet meeting.

    “This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission,” it said.

    The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief will be Rs 9,544.50 crore per annum.

    This will benefit about 47.68 lakh central government employees and 68.62 lakh pensioners, the release said.

  • Cabinet approves preparations for India’s G20 presidency

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved setting up of a G20 secretariat to put in place arrangements required for India’s presidency of the prestigious grouping.

    India will hold the Presidency of the G20 from December 1 to November 30, 2023. India will host the G20 summit next year.

    “The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today approved the setting up of a G20 Secretariat and its reporting structures, which will be responsible for implementation of overall policy decisions and arrangements needed for steering India’s forthcoming G20 Presidency,” the government said in a statement.

    G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation that plays an important role in global economic governance.

    “As per practice, a G20 Secretariat is being established to handle work relating to substantive / knowledge / content, technical, media, security and logistical aspects of India’s G20 Presidency,” according to the statement.

    “It will be manned by officers and staff from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and other relevant line Ministries / Departments and domain knowledge experts,” it said.

    The government said the secretariat will be functional till February 2024. Italy held the G-20 presidency in 2021 while Indonesia will play the role till November, 2022. Italy, Indonesia and India are the G20 troika countries at present.

  • Cabinet approves Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021: Government

    I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said the Cabinet completed the formality of approving the repeal of three laws, as announced by the Prime Minister on November 19.

  • Cabinet approves bill to repeal three farm laws; bill to be tabled in Parliament in winter session

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a bill to repeal the three farm laws, which triggered protests at Delhi borders by thousands of farmers, and will be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming winter session for passage.

    On November 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation had announced the withdrawal of the three farm laws, saying the government could not convince protesting farmers about the benefits of the agriculture sector reforms.

    He had also urged them to end the protest and return home.

    The Cabinet has approved the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 to rollback the three laws passed by Parliament in September last year, with an objective to bring reforms in the agriculture sector, especially marketing of farm produce.

    The three laws to be repealed are: Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

    The Cabinet has completed the formalities to repeal the three farm laws, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters.

    “In the upcoming session of Parliament, it will be our priority to take back these three laws,” he said.

    The winter session will begin on November 29, and conclude on December 23.

    The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 has been approved days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to repeal the three central farm laws.

    Besides this, Parliament is scheduled to take 25 other bills, including one on crypto currencies.

    The repeal of the three farm legislations has been one of the key demands of around 40 farmer unions protesting against these reforms for nearly a year now.

    These laws, which are under suspension following a Supreme Court order in January this year, had triggered widespread protests by thousands of farmers mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh at Delhi borders.

    The protest started at the fag-end of November 2020, and is still continuing.

    On November 21, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) — joint body of farmer unions leading the current protests — had written to the Prime Minister to immediately resume talks on the farmers’ six demands including legal guarantee for the procurement of crops at minimum support price (MSP).

    The other demands were sacking and arrest of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, withdrawal of cases against farmers and building of a memorial for those who lost their lives during the agitation.

    They also sought removal of penal provisions on farmers in the “Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act 2021” and withdrawal of the draft “Electricity Amendments Bill, 2020/2021” proposed by the government.

    SKM had said it would continue their planned protests, including the march to Parliament on November 29, to observe one year of anti-farm law protests.