The Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the raising of 17 India Reserve Battalions (IR Bns) by Jammu & Kashmir and states affected by Left Wing Extremism.
“It includes five IR Bns in J&K, four IR Bns in Chhattisgarh, three IR Bns in Jharkhand, three IR Bns in Odisha and two IR Bns in Maharashtra,” an official statement said.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the Hybrid Annuity Model as one of the modes of delivery for implementing highway projects. “Adopting such a model for projects not found viable on BOT (toll) mode shall be more effective in terms of maximising the quantum of kilometres implemented within the available financial resources of the Government,” the statement added.
The Cabinet was also apprised of MoUs signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team with its counterparts in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan to promote cooperation for exchange of knowledge and experience in detection, resolution and prevention of cyber security related incidents. It also cleared a pact signed with Russia in May 2015, which provides for competitive research grants to Indian and Russian researchers for joint implementation of research projects in areas of basic and exploratory sciences.
“The Cabinet also gave its nod for enhancement of the authorised share capital of the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, a Central Public Sector Enterprise working under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, from ₹1,000 crore to ₹1,200 crore,” it added. This will increase the quantum of funds available for economic activities, better coverage, and enhanced outreach to double the Below Poverty Line Scheduled Caste beneficiaries.
The completion of the Afghan Parliament Building in Kabul by December 31, 2015, at a revised project cost of ₹969 crore also received the Cabinet’s ex-post facto approval.
The Cabinet cleared returning of approximately 478.307 hectares of land to Madhya Pradesh. The land returned would be utilised by the state for allotment to the auto and related ancillary industries, which will have a synergistic effect with the existing NATRAX project.