Cabinet plans dual thrust to boost farm sector

At a time when farmers’ suicides and the agricultural growth rate are causes of national concern, the Union Cabinet today took two decisions that are expected to give a fillip to the ailing farm sector.

At a time when farmers’ suicides and the agricultural growth rate are causes of national concern, the Union Cabinet today took two decisions that are expected to give a fillip to the ailing farm sector.

A Rs 1,189.99-crore National Agricultural Innovation Project, with 75 per cent funding by the World Bank, has been approved to start in July 2006. The six-year project would facilitate research on production to consumption systems, sustainable rural livelihood security as well as basic and strategic research in agricultural sciences.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, that also met today, has approved an additional Rs 200 crore for strengthening agricultural education in the rest of the Tenth Plan. At the same time, the CCEA also gave an in-principle nod to make the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) the regulator for higher agricultural education in the country.

Story continues below this ad

The Cabinet also extended the deadline for compliance with different conditions for enhancing Foreign Direct Investment in the telecom sector from 49 per cent to 74 per cent. The government had already extended the deadline from March 2006 to July 2, 2006. This second extension will last till October 2, 2006. This will give more time for further consultation with different stakeholders and in the meantime maintain the continuity of operation in the telecom sector.

When the Cabinet raised FDI ceiling in November 2005, the telecom industry had sought more time for complying with the new conditions on issues such as remote access, appointment of resident Indian citizens on key posts, FDI calculations, among other things.

The Cabinet also approved the opening or reopening of Indian diplomatic offices in Congo, Solvenia, Melbourne, South Sudan and Bhutan, at a cost of Rs 2.02 crore.

The National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources has been authorised to sign a non-disclosure agreement with International Patent Offices. This would allow the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library accessible to patent examiners.

Charlie Kirk fatally shot at Utah Valley University

‘Blood was pouring from his neck’: Eyewitnesses recall Kirk shooting at Utah University

World4 hr ago

Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a routine campus appearance at Utah Valley University. The shooter is still at large, and two individuals were briefly detained. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the crowd panicked. The attack has drawn comparisons to past political shootings, and authorities are investigating.

View all shorts

Live Blog