More sops for poor in year of record govt approvals

The Cabinet has approved the maximum number of proposals in 2008 for any calendar year, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Thursday.

The Cabinet has approved the maximum number of proposals in 2008 for any calendar year, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Thursday. The cabinet approved 518 items, while its committee on economic affairs approved 254.

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A slew of proposals for the weaker section were approved on Thursday. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a proposal under which the urban poor will get five per cent interest subsidy on home loans of up to Rs 1 lakh for a period of 15-20 years. The remaining interest will have to be paid the borrower.

A scheme to provide free education to children of scavengers, sweepers was also approved. A day scholar will get Rs 100 per month and a hosteller Rs 700, apart from an annual grant of Rs 750 and Rs 1,000, respectively. For restoration of 23,000 water bodies, a Rs 6,000-crore scheme has been approved. A proposal to set up 1,000 polytechnics was also approved.