New measures to boost India’s infrastructure and agriculture

News:

The government  has approved a slew of measures to boost the agriculture, international highways and a beleaguered sugar industry.
Approved Measures:

• Import of lentils in large quantities to boost supply. Pulses prices have risen by up to 64 per cent in the last one year
  so, the cabinet decided to import pulses in whatever quantity is required, directing state government to take strict action against hoarders.
• To ensure smooth supply of urea in southern states, the Centre approved continuation of its production from three plants that use naphtha as feedstock till availability of gas through pipelines or any other means.
• The Cabinet has approved signing of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic among BBIN.Signing of the BBIN agreement will promote safe, economical efficient and environmentally sound road transport in the sub-region and will further help each country in creating an institutional mechanism for regional integration.
• the ratification of the ILO will take place. A biometric based seafarer’s identity document will be developed, mainly, to ensure a foolproof security system to ward off the potential risk of breach of security and possible terrorist attacks.
• The proposal to provide soft loans to the extent of Rs 6,000 crore to the sugar industry. CCEA has provided a one year moratorium on this loan, and will bear the interest subvention cost to the extent of Rs 600 crore for the said period.
• The Cabinet has approved the development of the four laning of the Guna-Biaora and Biaora-Dewas section of National Highway 3 in Madhya Pradesh.
• The Cabinet also approved the shipping ministry’s proposal for India’s accession to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 as well as to amend the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 to give effect to the Bunker Convention, Nairobi Convention and Salvage Convention.
• The Cabinet has given its approval for development of the four laning of the Yadgiri-Warangal section of National Highway- 163 in Telangana. This work will be under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-IV.

Source: ET