“The cabinet has approved the approach paper and it will be placed before the National Development Council next month,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told media after the cabinet meeting here.
She said Health, education and skill development, environment, natural resources and infrastructure development will be the focus areas during the plan.
The Approach Paper would be placed before the NDC for final approval on 15 or 16 of next month. The NDC, the highest policy-making body of the country, is headed by the Prime Minister and its members include Union Ministers, members of Planning Commission, and Chief Ministers of all states.
The cabinet also approved another installment of seven per cent DA from July this year. She said the pensioners will also get the same benefit.
In another decision, the cabinet approved the proposal of Finance Ministry to withdraw the reduced interest rate of 9 per cent with regard to National Small Saving Fund loans. The proposal also has the provision for State governments to revert to 9 per cent interest rate as and when it compiles with the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management targets.
The Union Cabinet also gave its nod for laying the Action taken Memorandum on the recommendations contained in the 16th Annual report of the National Commission for Minorities for the year 2008-09 in both the Houses of Parliament. The recommendations were examined in consultation with various Ministries and departments before finalising.
In another decision, cabinet approved the promulagation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Marine Fishing Amendment regulation 2011 by the President. The approval will strengthen the coastal security in the coastline of islands in an effective manner as registration of all fishing vessels will be streamlined.
The Cabinet also approved Amendments to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010. The Amendments are based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare. The Minister said that the salient features of the proposed amendments include the nomination of Institute’s President by Central government and provision of seven persons of whom one will be non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association.
The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 7lh December last year for declaring NIMHANS, Bangaluru as an institution of national importance.