Cabinet approves changes in rural welfare schemes

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its approval for changes in the rural welfare programmes.

The move was made for a focussed and targeted intervention in reducing poverty and expanding the benefits of interest subvention under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to 100 more districts.

The Cabinet also gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel in the field of water resources management and development cooperation.

The bilateral cooperation will benefit both the countries in strengthening the techniques in efficient use of water, micro-irrigation, recycling/re-use of waste water, desalination, aquifer recharge and in-situ water conservation techniques. A joint working group shall be formed to monitor the activities to be carried out in fulfilment of the MoU.

India has already entered into agreements with Australia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Fiji, China and Bahrain in the field of water resources management and development cooperation.

In another decision, the Cabinet gave its approval for an MoU between India and Maldives which was signed in October in the field of sports and youth affairs.

The bilateral exchange programmes will help in expanding knowledge and expertise in the areas of sports science, sports medicine, coaching techniques, participation in youth festivals and camps which would result in improvement in performance of India’s sportspersons in international tournaments and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Cabinet also gave its approval for introduction of a bill for establishment of a Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad.