New Delhi, March 20
In an important decision today the Cabinet gave its approval for taking up the development of Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo in Punjab as commemorative projects under the Tri-Centenary celebrations of Guru-ta-Gaddi of Shri Guru Granth Sahib in 2008.
The Cabinet also gave its approval for funding the above development projects as a special grant of Rs 17,957.77 lakh to the Punjab government. The amount sanctioned for Anandpur Sahib is Rs 9,973.77 lakh and for Talwandi Sabo Rs 7,984 lakh.
The decision will enable the commemoration of the events which are presently mostly focused at Nanded. Development of Talwandi Sabo and Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, which are important places associated with Guru Gobind Singhji and place of pilgrimage, will also be given significance in the commemoration.
State government of Punjab, to whom grant will be released, will be asked to complete the projects within the commemoration year i.e. by October, 2009.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval to the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) for sugarcane at Rs 81.18 per quintal. This price is for a basic recovery of 9 per cent subject to a premium of Rs 0.90 for every 0.1 percentage point increase in the recovery above that level for sugar season 2008-09.
The SMP is based on the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). It will ensure a minimum price to cane growers.
In another decision the Cabinet gave its approval for signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Malaysia on employment of workers.
This would benefit the Indian emigrant workers, especially the unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers. The MoU will also ensure that there is protection and welfare of all categories of workers under the labour laws and other relevant laws of the host country.
The Cabinet also gave its approval for funding of 15 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) operational flights (C14 to C28) at a total estimated cost of Rs 1,518 crore with a foreign exchange component of Rs 116 crores.
This will enable meeting the national needs of launching remote sensing, navigation & space science satellites planned for the 11th Plan period and beyond. PSLV C14 to C28 are planned to be realised during the time-frame 2009-2012.
