Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for a serious of MoUs and agreements aimed at enhancing India’s capability in the fields of engineering, trade and education.
The Cabinet also approved the signing of the landmark Paris Agreement which was adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties held in Paris in December 2015. We take a look at some decisions that the PM-led Cabinet took today.
1) Paris Agreement: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on April 22, 2016 at the high level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of UN Ban Ki-moon.
The Paris Agreement on climate change is said to be a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention and recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.
The Paris Agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries. The Agreement recognizes the developing countries’ right to development and their efforts to harmonize development with environment, while protecting the interests of the most vulnerable.
India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the Convention. The Paris Agreement addresses all the important concerns and expectations of India, says the government.
2) MoU between India-Bhutan on infrastructure engineering: A go ahead was given for signing an MoU with Bhutan for on technical cooperation in the field of capacity building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure engineering.
The MoU will provide an umbrella for educational, scientific & technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003.
Through this MoU, the Central Public Works Department will stand to gain in terms of experience in hills road construction which is of paramount importance in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various states of North-East Region. The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan.
3) Expansion of India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement: India’s export basket with Chile is diversified and keeping in view the wide variety of tariff lines offered by Chile, the expanded PTA would immensely benefit India, says the government release.
Under the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1798 tariff lines with Margin of Preference (MoP) ranging from 30%-100% and India has offered concessions to Chile on 1031 tariff lines at 8-digit level with MoP ranging from 10%-100%. Under the proposed expanded PTA, 86% of India’s exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future.
4) Battalion HQ of BSF: Cabinet gave its nod for transfer of 58.81 acres of surplus land of Farakka Barrage Project under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to Border Security Force under Ministry of Home Affairs for establishment of 04-Battalion Head Quarters of BSF at Khejuriaghat in Mouza Jagannathpur of West Bengal.
According to the release, the Farakka Barrage Project will benefit from this new BSF headquarter as well by guarding crucial Indian frontiers with Bangladesh. Also, possibility of encroachments of FBP land and ensuing security concerns to FBP would be reduced due to presence of the BSF personnel in the area.
5) New Indian Institute of Science Education and Research: Approval has been given for operationalisation of new Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh from the Academic Year of 2015-16 from a transit / temporary campus, at an estimated cost of Rs 137.30 crore for the initial three years (2015-18).
