The State Cabinet on Monday approved a total of 14 proposals, including striking out of the ‘three-house’ exclusion criterion for NSFA beneficiaries, higher study loan to poor and middleclass students at 1-per cent interest rate and allowing the OMC to export iron ore.
The proposal to relax the norms for issue of NFSA ration cards to beneficiaries covered under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) was approved.
“Two amendments to NFSA Order were approved today. As per the first amendment, beneficiaries who have been covered under IAY, BPGY and PMAY are now exempted from the exclusion criteria under the NFSA, and as per the second amendment, the return time limit for ineligible ration cardholders was extended up to September 30,” said Chief Secretary AP Padhi after the Cabinet meeting held under chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.
The Cabinet allowed the State-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to export iron in order to achieve revised ore production target for the current year.
The proposal for amendment in the long-term ore linkage policy through OMC to clear its supply glut through other mechanisms was also approved.
“As per existing rules, the OMC can enter into an agreement for long term supply of ore to end-user companies or go through e-auction. Now it has been decided that the State PSU can dispose of ore through other mechanisms and resort to export,” said Padhi.
Besides, the Cabinet has given a nod to the State government’s proposal for long term supply of ore from OMC to industrial units in the State facing a shortage of iron ore.
Besides, the Cabinet accorded in-principle approval to the implementation of Kalinga Siksha Sathi Yojana to provide education loan to students for higher studies at a nominal 1 percent interest.
“The Government has introduced the Kalinga Siksha Sathi Yojana, a modified version of the Odisha State Interest Subvention Scheme. Under this new scheme, students of middle class and poor families willing to pursue higher studies within India can avail a maximum loan up to Rs 10 lakh from the banks at only 1 percent rate of interest,” said the Chef Secretary.
He said students, whose parental income is Rs 6 lakh per annum, can avail the loan with 1 percent interest.
Students would not have to pay the interest during period of studies. But after the moratorium period is over and they get the job, they would pay 1 per cent interest.
The other proposals, which were approved, include amendments to the Orissa Gram Panchayat Act, 1964, the Orissa Prosecution Service Rules and Odisha Electricity (Duty) Act, 1961 and setting up of Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation (OMEC).
The Cabinet also approved a proposal to amend the Odisha Grama Panchayats Act to rotate the reservation of offices of the Sarpanches in every general election.
As per the existing provision of the Act, reservation of Sarpanch seats is rotated after every two terms of general elections while in case of Ward, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad members, the rotation of reservation is done in every such election.
The Cabinet too approved a proposal to amend the Odisha State Prosecution Service Rules, 1997 to give scope to persons with disabilities (PWDs) to compete for the posts of Prosecutors of different ranks. With this amendment, equal opportunities would be extended to this category of candidates, said Chief Secretary AP Padhi.
A proposal to frame necessary rules for implementation of the Odisha language Act 1954 was also approved by the Cabinet. For this, an Ordinance under the name of Odisha Official language (Amendment) Act, 2016 has already been promulgated by the Governor.
Similarly, a new provision was made under the Industrial Policy Resolution 2015 to charge fee for Registration of Deed of Agreement between Collector and Idco and lease deed between the Idco and entrepreneur. Besides, the food processing sector was included in the IPR to facilitate investment in the sector.
Besides, the Cabinet approved a proposal of the Tourism Department to waive Rs 77,92,800 for the State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir towards incidental charges, annual ground rent, cess and interest.