The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, September 19, 2001, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I N N E W S

Cabinet for greater vigil
Endorses Vajpayee’s stand
Tribune News Service and agencies

New Delhi, September 18
The Union Cabinet today took stock of the security scenario in the Indian subcontinent following the terrorist attacks on the USA and stressed the need for more vigil at important government installations. The situation was discussed informally after completion of the formal agenda.

The Cabinet meeting, which was the first full meeting after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the USA, took note of the Indians killed at the World Trade Center and gave its approval to the Prime Minister’s approach. It acknowledged that it was a fast developing situation which needed to be watched closely.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan, who came out mid-way during the discussion to brief mediapersons on the decisions taken by the Cabinet, said several members spoke about the stand taken by the government. Several Cabinet members were of the view that the government should take advantage of the new situation and must ensure that neighbouring countries, which were supporting terrorism, should be cornered at the international fora.

The Union Cabinet also observed a two-minute silence at 10.30 AM as decided by the government to mark “Solidarity Day” against terrorism.

The government also approved a proposal to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of six to 14 years.

The Cabinet decided to introduce a new amendment Bill in the winter session of Parliament in this regard by introducing Article 21A in the Constitution. The Constitution (93rd amendment) Bill sought to redraft Article 45 to provide that the state shall endeavour to give early childhood care and education to all children until they complete six years.

The Bill sought to make it the fundamental duty of every citizen who was a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to all children from six to 14 years.

It was decided that the Constitution (83rd amendment) Bill of 1997 pending approval in the Rajya Sabha would be withdrawn.

It also approved the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day Address, involving an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore in the current financial year.

The scheme, a Centrally sponsored one on cost-sharing basis between the Centre and state in the ratio of 75 and 25, would be implemented by the Rural Development Ministry. In case of union territories, the Centre would provide 100 per cent funds under the scheme.

Describing the Cabinet’s decision as historic, Mr Mahajan said the decision on the scheme was taken within 30 days of the announcement by the Prime Minister.

2 per cent DA hike for Central employees
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 18
A hike of 2 per cent in the dearness allowance for the Central Government employees along with a similar hike in the dearness relief for the pensioners was announced today by the government.

The decision which would cost the exchequer an additional Rs 791 crore per annum was taken at the meeting of the Union Cabinet. The government decided to implement the new rates for DA from July 1 last.

After the Cabinet meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said the new rates of DA and DR had been increased from 43 per cent to 45 per cent of the pay scales effective from January 1, 1996.