The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved continuation of the nine sub-schemes of the umbrella scheme "Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)" during 2017-2020 at an estimated cost of Rs 1,450 crore. The Cabinet also approved a proposal making jute packaging mandatory for all food grains.
The scheme will provide improved weather, climate and ocean forecast and services, thereby ensuring transfer of commensurate benefits to the various services like Public weather service, disaster management, Agro-meteorological Services, Aviation services, Environmental monitoring services, Hydro-meteorological services, climate services, tourism, pilgrimage, power generation, water management, Sports and adventure.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through its institutes namely India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service(INCOIS).
In an official statement, the Government said the scheme will generate employment opportunities. "A sizable number of scientific and technical staff alongwith requisite administrative support, thereby generating employment. To ensure last-mile connectivity of the weather based services to the end -user, a large number of agencies like the Krishi Vigyana Kendras of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, universities and local municipalities are roped in thus generating employment opportunities to many people," the statement said.
The Cabinet also approved establishment of National Facility for Airborne Research (NFAR) with a financial commitment of Rs 130 crore during 2020-21 and beyond.
On the making jute packaging mandatory, the government said that the CCEA approved that 100 per cent of the food grains and 20 per cent of the sugar shall be mandatorily packed in diversified jute bags. Earlier, it was compulsory to pack 90 per cent of the food grains and 20 per cent of the sugar in jute bags.
"Initially, 10 per cent of the indents of jute bags for packing food grains would be placed through reverse auction on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal. This will gradually usher in a regime of price discovery," it said.