Cabinet approves law ammendment, several other pending issues

The Cabinet today approved changes in a law to prevent disqualification of the chairperson of National Scheduled Castes PL Punia, a member of Parliament from UP, under the office of profit clause.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved changes in a law to prevent disqualification of the chairperson of National Scheduled Castes Commission PL Punia, a member of Parliament from UP, under the office of profit clause.

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The Cabinet approved amendments in the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 by including the commission in the list of offices which does not result in disqualification of a MP under office of profit clause. The Cabinet decision will also cover the schedule tribe commission.

I&B minister Manish Tewari said the change is effective from 2004 when the Constitution was amended to bifurcate the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes into two independent commissions.

Skill development authority
The Cabinet also gave approval for setting up an autonomous body, the National Skill Development Authority by subsuming existing multiple bodies for upgrading skill of youth.

The authority will be located in the finance ministry. “The authority will coordinate and harmonise the skill development efforts of the government and the private sector to achieve the skilling targets of the 12 five-year Plan,” a government statement said.

2013 - Water Conservation Year
The Cabinet decided to declare 2013 as Water Conservation Year to create awareness on the judicious use of water and steadfast implementation of the National Water Mission.

India has more than 18% of the world`s population, but has only 4% of world`s renewable water resources. Per capita availability of water is expected to go down and therefore there is a need to create awareness to conserve water, the government said.

Aadhaar expansion
The Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India approved phase IV of the Aadhaar scheme for an estimated cost of Rs 3436.16 crore, which includes enrollment of additional 40 crore residents and money for construction of UIDAI headquarters.

“Phase IV of the project will commence immediately,” the government said, adding that since launch of the scheme Aadhaar numbers have been issued to 31 crore residents.

Others
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the proposal regarding revival of five closed units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL) at Sindri, Talcher, Ramagundam, Gorakhpur and Korba.

The cabinet committee also approved setting up of major ports in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.