Centre clears proposals for road connectivity under PMGSY, also approves raising authorised capital of NABARD

Feb 7,  6:27 PM The Union Cabinet today approved proposals worth 38500 crore rupees for road connectivity under the Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The projects cover new road connectivity and upgradation work in tribal and border areas, plains, hill states and desert areas. Briefing newmen on the Cabinet decisions Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said, all habitations with a population of 100 tribals and above in 82 Naxal-hit districts will now be connected with all-weather roads under government's flagship programme PMGSY. The Union Cabinet also approved raising the authorised capital of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, (NABARD) to 20,000 crore rupees from 5,000 crore rupees. The move is aimed at augmenting the operations and broadening the activities of NABARD that promotes credit growth for agriculture and rural development. The Cabinet also approved the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for funding the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India(TAPI) Pipeline Project and to permit GAIL India Ltd. to join the SPV. The countries involved in the four nation Gas pipeline project, signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement along with a Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement(GPFA). The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA ) gave the nod for the merger of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) into a new scheme called the 'National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA). The merged scheme shall be operational during the twelfth Plan Period at an estimated cost of 900 crore rupees. The principal objectives of the new scheme will be holistic conservation and restoration of lakes and wetlands for water quality enhancement, besides improvement in biodiversity and the ecosystem. Doubling of the Palanpur-Samakhiali section of 247.73 kms railway line under the Western Railway in Gujarat was also approved by the CCEA. The project is likely to be completed in next five years at a cost of over 1266 crore rupees. Breifing reporters Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the doubling of Palanpur-Samakhiali project is an operational requirement for smooth passage of goods and passenger trains through the section as well as for providing necessary infrastructure support for industrial development in Gujarat. Other important approvals given by the CCEA include, construction of a new broad gauge line between Raigarh (Mand Colliery) to Bhupdeopur Railway Station of length of 63 km at a cost of 379.08 crore rupees. It also cleared the construction of 121.70 km long new broad gauge line between Gevra Road and Pendra Road of South East Central Railway. The CCEA also approved an increase in Minimum Support Price of Copra by 150 rupees per quintal.