Cabinet okays phase-4 of Aadhaar scheme

The Cabinet on Thursday approved changes in a law to prevent disqualification of chairperson of national scheduled castes commission PL Punia, a Member of Parliament from UP, under the office of profit clause. HT reports.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved changes in a law to prevent disqualification of 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 amendments in the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act 1959 will put the commission in the list of offices which do not result in disqualification of a MP under office of profit clause. The Cabinet decision will also cover the scheduled tribes commission.

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 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.

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 additional enrollment.