Govt approves Rs 12,517cr re-capitalization programme for Public Sector Banks

Jan 10,  5:10 PM Union Cabinet has given the approval for infusion of 12,517 crore rupees of additional capital in public sector banks. Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting in New Delhi, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said this will be completed by march this year will enable the banks to maintain their Cash reserve ratio. He said, 9 to 10 public sector banks are to get the recapitalization amount before the end of the current fiscal. Disinvestment of ten per cent paid up equity of Public sector Engineers India Ltd. was also given the cabinet nod today.  The finance minister said, the government hopes to raise 800 crore rupees from the disinvestment of EIL equity. The centre has also raised housing assistance substantially under Indira Awas Yojana to provide quality and affordable houses. The union cabinet has raised unit assistance from 45,000 to 70,000 rupees in plain areas and from 48,500 to 75 thousand in hilly and difficult districts.  The unit assistance provided for homestead site to those living below poverty line has been doubled to 20 thousand rupees. Those, who have neither agricultural land nor a house site for buying a homestead site will be eligible for the assistance. This was a major point of agreement reached between the centre and Jan Satyagraha in October last year.  The release says, the increase was approved die to steep rise in cost of material. Approval was also given to the proposed amendment to the Stock Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act to widen the eligibility creteria for the appointment of the presiding officer of Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT).  The Cabinet approved introduction of Bill for declaring Lakhipur Bhanga stretch of Barak river as a National waterway. The revised cost estimate for Salma dam project in Afghanistan and transfer of schools from Central Tibetan Schools Administration to Department of Education, Central Tibetan Admin, Dharmshala were also approved by the cabinet. Second Jawan killed by Pak Army in J&K cremated with full state and military honours Jan 10 Lance Nayak Sudhakar Singh, who was killed by the Pakistani Army in Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, was cremated with full state and military honours this afternoon in his village Dhadiya in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh.Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an ex-gratia of 15 lakh rupees and a residential plot to the martyr's family. He also offered a job to the wife of late Lance Nayak , if she desires. A memorial will also be built in his native village.

Housing assistance under Indira Awas Yojna raised to Rs 70,000

Jan 10 The centre has raised housing assistance substantially under Indira Awas Yojana to provide quality and affordable houses. The union cabinet has raised unit assistance from 45,000 to 70,000 rupees in plain areas and from 48,500 to 75 thousand in hilly and difficult districts. The unit assistance provided for homestead site to those living below poverty line has been doubled to 20 thousand rupees. Those, who have neither agricultural land nor a house site for buying a homestead site will be eligible for the assistance. This was a major point of agreement reached between the centre and Jan Satyagraha in October last year. The release says, the increase was approved die to steep rise in cost of material. Over 20 countries to participate in 3 day International Tourism Mart in Guwahati beginning Jan 18 Jan 10 More than 20 countries including Australia and Japan will participate in the three-day International Tourism Mart in Guwahati beginning from 18th of this month . Addressing a press meet in New Delhi this afternoon, Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi said this will not only be the first international tourism mart to be organised in the north-eastern region but also the first such event to focus on specific region of the country. Chiranjeevi reiterated that it is the most opportune time for the region to capitalize on the growing trade relations with the bordering nations and emerge as a crucial enabler to enhance economic and cultural tie-ups.