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Cabinet approves extension of tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for three years
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on January has approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond 31 March,2022.
The total implication of the extension for three years would be approximately Rs.43.68 crore. The major beneficiaries would be the Safai Karamcharis and identified manual scavengers in the country since the NCSK for 3 more years beyond 31.3.2022. The number of Manual Scavengers identified under the MS Act Survey as on 31 December,2021 is 58098.
The NCSK was established in the year 1993 as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993 initially for the period upto 31.3.1997. Later the validity of the Act was initially extended upto 31.3.2002 and thereafter upto 29.2.2004. The NCSK Act ceased to have effect from 29.2.2004. After that the tenure of the NCSK has been extended as a non-statutory body from time to time through resolutions. The tenure of the present Commission is upto 31March,2022.
The NCSK has been giving its recommendations to the Government regarding specific programmes for welfare of Safai Karamcharis, study and evaluate the existing welfare programmes for Safai Karamcharis, investigate cases of specific grievances etc. Also as per the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the NCSK has been assigned the work to monitor the implementation of the Act, tender advice for its effective implementation to the Centre and State Governments and enquire into complaints regarding contravention/non-implementation of the provisions of the Act. Though the Government has taken many steps for the upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis, the deprivation suffered by them in socio-economic and educational terms is still far from being eliminated. Although manual scavenging has been almost eradicated, sporadic instances do occur. Hazardous cleaning of sewer/septic tanks continues to be an area of the highest priority for the Government. Hence, the Government feels that there is a continued need to monitor the various interventions and initiatives of the Government for welfare of Safai Karamcharis and to achieve the goal of complete mechanization of sewer/septic tanks cleaning in the country and rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
Cabinet approves infusion of Rs.1,500 crore in Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)
Employment generation of approximately 10200 jobs-year and CO2 equivalent emission reduction of approximately 7.49 Million Tonnes CO2/year
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 19 January 2022 approved the equity infusion of Rs.1500 crore in Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA). This equity infusion will help in employment generation of approximately 10200 jobs-year and CO2 equivalent emission reduction of approximately 7.49 Million Tonnes CO2/year.
Additional equity infusion of Rs.1500 crore will enable IREDA:
–To lend Rs.12000 crore approximately to the RE sector, thus facilitate the debt requirement of RE of additional capacity of approximately 3500-4000 MW.
–To enhance its networth which will help it in additional RE financing, thus contributing better to the Government of India targets for RE.
–To improve the capital-to-risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR) to facilitate its lending and borrowing operations.
IREDA, a mini ratna (Category-1) company under the administrative control of MNRE was set up in 1987 to work as a specialised non-banking finance agency for the Renewable Energy (RE) sector. IREDA with more than 34 years of techno-commercial expertise, plays a catalytic role in the RE project financing which gives confidence to the FIs/banks to lend in the sector.
Grant of ex-gratia payment of difference between compound and simple interest for six months
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 19 January has approved the payment of ex-gratia amount of Rs. 973.74 crore pertaining to remaining claims submitted by Lending Institutions (LIs) under Scheme for grant of ex-gratia payment of difference between compound interest and simple interest for six months to borrowers in specified loan accounts (1.3.2020 to 31.8.2020).
By granting ex-gratia payment of difference between compound interest and simple interest during the six month moratorium period to distressed/vulnerable category of borrowers, irrespective of whether the borrower had availed of moratorium or not, the scheme would equitably help small borrowers bear the stress on account of the pandemic and get back on their feet.
Operational guidelines for the scheme are already issued with the approval of the Cabinet. The said amount of Rs. 973.74 crore will be disbursed in accordance with the said operational guidelines.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Scheme for grant of ex-gratia payment of difference between compound interest and simple interest for six months to borrowers in specified loan accounts (1.3.2020 to 31.8.2020)” was approved by the Cabinet in October, 2020, envisaging therein an outlay of Rs. 5,500 crore.
Eligible borrowers for ex-gratia payment:
i. MSME loans up to Rs. 2 crore
ii. Education loans up to Rs. 2 crore
iii. Housing loans up to Rs. 2 crore
iv. Consumer durable loans up to Rs. 2 crore
v. Credit card dues up to Rs. 2 crore
vi. Auto loans up to Rs. 2 crore
vii. Personal loans to professionals up to Rs. 2 crore
viii. Consumption loans up to Rs. 2 crore
Budget allocation of Rs. 5,500 crore was made for the scheme in FY 2020-2021. Whole amount of Rs. 5,500 crore, as approved by the Cabinet, has been disbursed to SBI, the nodal agency under the scheme, for consequent reimbursement to lending institutions.