Important decisions taken in the cabinet meeting before the budget session

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) signed between the Central Drugs standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of Medicines Evaluation Board, Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, Central Committee on research Involving Human Subjects “on cooperation in the field of Medical products Regulation”.  The MoI was signed on 7^th November, 2023.

The MoI seeks to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation and exchange of information between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of Medicines Evaluation Board, Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects in matters relating to Medical products regulation in line with their International responsibilities.

The MoI between the regulatory authorities of the two countries will facilitate better understanding of medical products regulation with regard to pharmaceuticals including raw materials for pharmaceutical use, biological products, medical devices and cosmetic products.

Convergence in the regulatory practices could help in increasing export of medicines from India and consequentially help in better employment opportunities for educated professionals in the Pharmaceutical sector.

The MoI will facilitate export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings. This would be a step towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Central Drugs standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, The Republic of India and Directorate General for Medicine, Foods and Sanitary Products Organizations of Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistant of Dominican Republic on cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation.  The MoU was signed on 4th October, 2023.

The MoU will promote exchange of information and cooperation in areas pertinent to medical products and relevant administrative and regulatory matters within the jurisdiction of the parties. In order to tackle issues of substandard, falsified medicines moving in the international markets, interaction amongst regulatory agencies is facilitated through signing of MoU.

Convergence in the regulatory practices could helping increasing export of medicines from India and consequentially help in better employment opportunities for educated professionals in the Pharmaceutical sector.

The MoU will facilitate export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings.  This would be a step towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 5th December, 2023 between the Government of the Republic of India through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Government of the Republic of Kenya through the Ministry of Information, Communications and digital Economy on cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.

Details:

The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences and digital technologies-based solutions in the implementation of digital transformational initiatives of both the country.

Implementation strategy and targets:

The MoU shall come into effect from the date of signature of the Parties and shall be remain in force for a period of 3 years.

Impact:

Both G2G and B2G bilateral Cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) will be enhanced.

No. of beneficiaries:

MoU envisages improved collaboration leading to employment opportunities in the field of IT.

Background:

MeitY is collaborating with number of countries and multilateral agencies for fostering bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the ICT domain.  Over the period, MeitY has entered into MoUs/MoCs/Agreements with its counterpart oranizations/agencies from various countries to promote cooperation and exchange of information in the ICT domain.  This is in consonance with the various initiatives taken by Government of India such as Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India etc. to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.  In this changing paradigm, there is an imminent need for exploring business opportunities, sharing of best practices and attracting investments in the digital sector with the objective of enhancing mutual cooperation.

Over the last few years, India has demonstrated its leadership in implementation of Digital Public infrastructure (DP) and has successfully provided delivery of services to public even during COVID pandemic.  As a result, many countries have evinced interest in learning from India’s experiences and entering into MoUs with India.

India Stack Solutions are a DPIs developed and implemented by India at population scale to provide access and delivery of public services.  It aims to enhance connectivity, promote digital inclusion, and enable seamless access to public service.  These are built on open technologies, are interoperable and are designed to harness industry and community participation which fosters innovative and inclusive solutions.  However, each country has unique needs and challenges in building DPI, although the basic functionality is similar, allowing for global cooperation.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 07^th November 2023 between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and Agencia Nacional de Regulaction, Control Y Vigilancia Sanitria – ARCSA, Doctor Leopoldo Izquieta Perez, The Republic of Ecuador on cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation.

Benefit:

The Memorandum of Understanding would facilitate better understanding of the regulatory aspects between the two sides and would help in increased cooperation in the field of medical products regulation and better coordination in international fora.

Employment Generation Potential:

Convergence in the regulatory practices due to the MoU could help in increasing export of medicines from India and consequentially help in better employment opportunities for educated professionals in the Pharmaceutical sector.

Atmanirbhar Bharat:

The MoU will facilitate export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings.  This would be a step towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Background:

The CDSCO is a Subordinate Office of the Directorate General of Health Services, which is an attached office of the Department of Health and Family Welfare.  CDSCO is the National Regulatory Authority for drugs, medical devices and cosmetics in India.  Agencia Nacional de Regulaction, Control Y Vigilancia Sanitria – ARCSA, Doctor Leopoldo Izquieta Perez is the Regulatory Agency regulating these products in Republic of Ecuador.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 21^st November, 2023 between the Government of Republic of India and the European Commission on Working Arrangements on Semiconductors Ecosystems, its supply chain and innovation under the framework of EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC).

Details:

The MoU intends to strengthen cooperation between India and EU towards enhancement of semiconductor for the advancement of Industries and digital technologies.

Implementation strategy and targets:

The MoU shall come into effect from the date of signature and may continue until both sides confirm that the objectives of this instrument have been achieved or until one side discontinues its participation in this instrument.

Impact:

Both G2G and B2B bilateral Cooperation to boost the resilience of the semiconductor supply chains and leverage complementary strengths to promote collaboration in the field of semiconductors.

Background:

MeitY has been actively working to create a conducive environment for electronics manufacturing.  Programme for Development of Semiconductor and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was introduced with a view to ensure the development of a robust and sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystem in India.  The said program aims to extend fiscal support for establishment of Semiconductor Fabs, Display Fabs, Fabs for Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/Sensors/Discrete Semiconductors and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP)/Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities.  Further, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has been established under Digital India Corporation (DIC) to drive India’s strategies for development of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

MeitY has also been mandated to promote international cooperation in the emerging and frontier areas of Electronics and Information Technology under bilateral and regional frameworks.  With this objective, MeitY has entered into MoUs/MoCs/Agreements with counterpart organizations/agencies of various countries to promote bilateral cooperation and exchange of information and also to ensure supply chain resilience enabling India emerge as trusted partner.  Enhancing bilateral collaboration to boost the semiconductor supply chains and leverage complementary strengths to promote collaboration in the field of semiconductors, India and EU signed this MoU which is another step towards mutually beneficial semiconductor related business opportunities and partnerships between India & EU.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the creation of three posts at the level of Joint Secretary i.e. two posts of Joint Secretary and one post of Economic Adviser for the 16^th Finance Commission, which was constituted in pursuance of Article 280 of the Constitution vide Notification dated 31st December, 2023.

The newly created posts are required to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions. All other posts in the Commission have already been created as per the delegated powers.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved proposal for equity investment by (i) South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) for setting-up 1×660 MW Thermal Power Plant through JV of SECL and MPPGCL; and (ii) Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) for setting-up 2×800 MW Thermal Power Plant through Mahanadi Basin Powe Ltd (MBPL – a subsidiary of MCL).

The CCEA has approved the proposal of equity investments by SECL, MCL and CIL as follows:

(a)    Equity Capital of Rs.823 Crore (± 20%) by SECL considering a Debt-Equity Ratio of 70:30 and 49% Equity Investment in JV Company with an estimated Project Capex of Rs.5,600 Crore (accuracy of ±20%) for the proposed 1×660 MW Supercritical Thermal Power Plant through JV of SECL and MPPGCL at Amarkantak Thermal Power Station in Village Chachai, Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh.

(b)    Equity Capital of Rs.4,784 Crore (± 20%) by MCL for the proposed 2×800 MW Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant in Sundargarh District, Odisha with an estimated Project Capex of Rs.15,947 Crore (accuracy of ±20%) through MBPL.

(c)     Approval to MBPL, an SPV of MCL to set up the 2×800 MW Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant.

(d)    Equity Investment by CIL beyond 30% of its net worth in the JV of SECL-MPPGCL (Rs.823 Crore ± 20%) as at (a) above, and in MBPL, a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of MCL (Rs.4,784 Crore ± 20%) as at point (b) above.

 

Coal India Limited (CIL), the largest coal mining company in the world, will set up following two Pithead Thermal Power Plants, through its subsidiaries, with a view to provide cheaper power to the country –

 

1. 1×660 MW Supercritical Coal-Based Thermal Power Plant (TPP) at Amarkantak Thermal Power Station in Village Chachai, Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh, through JV between SECL and Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Co Ltd (MPPGCL);
2. 2×800 MW Supercritical Thermal Power Plant, in Sundergarh District, Odisha, through ‘Mahanadi Basin Power Ltd’ (MBPL), a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of MCL.