Cabinet gives nod to restoration and continuation of MPLADS

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved restoration and continuation of Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) which was discontinued in view of COVID-19 pandemic. Briefing media in New Delhi on Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said, the funds will be released at the rate of two crore rupees per MP for remaining period of Financial Year 2021-22 in one installment and at the rate of five crore rupees per annum per MP during the next Financial Year to Financial Year 2025-26 in two installments of 2.5 crore rupees each. He said, the decision was taken in view of economic recovery in the country. Thakur informed that the Cabinet also approved declaration of 15th November, the Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. He said, a week-long celebrations have been planned from 15th to 22nd of November to celebrate and commemorate glorious history of tribal people, culture and achievements.

The committed price support of over 17,408 crore rupees to the Cotton Corporation of India got Cabinet nod. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA approved incurring expenditure for reimbursing losses under MSP operations for cotton during the cotton season October 2014-15 to September 2020-21. The Minister said, it also approved reservation norms for Jute Packaging Materials for the Year 2021-22. Hundred per cent of foodgrains and 20 per cent of sugar to be packed in jute bags. He said, the move will bring relief to three lakh 70 thousand workers employed in jute mills and ancillary units. Thakur said, it will support the livelihood of around four million farm families and help in protecting environment. The Cabinet also approved mechanism for procurement of ethanol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies under Ethanol Blended Petrol programme. Mr Thakur said, it has cleared higher ethanol price derived from different sugarcane based raw materials for sugar season 2020-21. He said, price of ethanol from C heavy molasses increased from 45 rupees 69 paise to 46 rupees 66 paise per litre. Price of ethanol from B heavy molasses increased from 57 rupees 61 paise to 59 rupees 8 paise per litre. Price of ethanol from sugarcane juice, sugar or sugar syrup increased from 62 rupees 65 paise to 63 rupees 45 paise per litre. The decision will help in price stability and remunerative prices for ethanol suppliers, facilitating setting up of advanced biofuel refineries in the country, reducing the pending arrears of cane farmers, reducing dependency on crude oil imports and helping in savings in foreign exchange.