NEW DELHI: In a bid to recast the country’s urban landscape, the Centre on Wednesday gave nod to the Smart Cities Mission, and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), with outlays of Rs 48,000 crore and Rs 50,000 crore, respectively.
The meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Smart Cities Mission for development of 100 smart cities and AMRUT of 500 cities. Under the Smart Cities Mission, each state would shortlist a certain number of aspirants as per the norms to be indicated and they would prepare proposals for further evaluation for the Central support.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for introduction of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015, in the ongoing session of Parliament, which would allow disbursal of Rs 38,000 crore worth of funds lying unspent in government coffers for over a decade to the states for afforestation. It also seeks to provide safety, security and transparency in utilisation of the said money.
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension for pensioners under the Employees’ Pension Scheme beyond the financial year 2014-15. Currently, it is effective only up to March 2015. The Centre on Wednesday bolstered the strength of the national disaster combat force NDRF by sanctioning two new battalions comprising 2,000 personnel to it. A decision in this regard was cleared by the Cabinet meeting.
AMRUT Funding FOR JNNURM Projects
New Delhi: Cabinet also decided that JNNURM projects relating to urban development sanctioned during 2005-2012 and achieved progress of 50% availing similar amount of central assistance and those sanctioned during 2012-2014 would be supported till March 2017.