Cabinet approves inclusion of Parivara & Talawara communities in list of STs in Karnataka

Union Cabinet has given in principle approval to the inclusion of two communities in Karnataka in the list of Scheduled Tribes. Parivara and Talawara will be synonyms of "Nayaka" in the list of STs in Karnataka. 

An official statement said, the decision will fulfill a long-term demand of the Parivara and Talawara communities for Scheduled Tribe status in Karnataka.Cabinet also approved the second and final extension of the term of the Commission constituted to examine the issue of Sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes in the Central List, beyond 27th of March this year for a period of twelve weeks to 20th June. 

Keeping in view the voluminous data obtained by the Commission from all quarters and the time required for a scientific analysis of the data to prepare a comprehensive report, it has sought extension of its term.

Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Health Mission (NHM) with effect from 1st April 2017 to 31st of March 2020 with a budgetary support of over 85 thousand crore rupees as Central Share over this period. 

It will boost the health infrastructure. The NHM will continue to strengthen the public health systems, particularly in high priority districts that include aspirational districts. 

Cabinet approved moving of official amendments in the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016. The bill, proposes to regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in the States and Union Territories. 

The proposed legislation ensures effective regulation of surrogacy, prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian infertile couples. 

Cabinet also approved continuation of the Prime Minister’s Development Package for Jammu and Kashmir 2015 - “Stepping up of support under creation of Infrastructure in District Hospitals, Sub-district Hospitals and Primary Health Centers over 5 years with budgetary support of over 625 crore rupees. It will be effective from 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2020. 

Cabinet approved the North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) 2017 with financial outlay of 3,000 crore rupees upto March, 2020. 

Government will provide necessary allocations for remaining period of scheme after assessment before March



2020. 

NEIDS is a combination of the incentives covered under the earlier two schemes with a much larger outlay. 

In order to promote employment in the North East States, Government is incentivising primarily the MSME Sector through this scheme and is also providing specific incentive through it to generate employment. 

Cabinet also approved revision of double taxation avoidance agreement between India and Qatar. 

The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Qatar was signed on April 7, 1999, and came into force on January 15, 2000. 

The revised DTAA updates the provisions for exchange of information to latest standard, includes Limitation of Benefits provision to prevent treaty shopping and aligns other provisions with India's recent treaties.

Cabinet also approved the opening of 18 new Indian Missions in Africa over a four year period from 2018 to 2021.The decision will enhance India's diplomatic outreach in the African continent and allow India to engage with Indian diaspora in African countries. 

With this, the number of Resident Indian Missions in Africa will go up from 29 to 47. 

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a scheme called Integrated Scheme for Development of

Silk Industry from 2017-18 to 2019-20 at a cost of over 2,161 crore rupees. 

The scheme has four major components which includes Research and Development, Seed Organizations and farmers extension centres, Coordination and Market Development for seed, yarn and silk products. 

The scheme will be implemented by Ministry of Textiles through the Central Silk Board. The scheme will promote Women Empowerment and livelihood opportunities to SC, ST and other weaker sections of the society. 

The CCEA also gave its approval for continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) from 1st of April 2017 to 31st of March 2020. 

The Abhiyan seeks to increase the gross enrollment ratio of the country to 30 per cent by 2020. It also seeks to increase the spending on higher education by the State governments. 

The scheme, in its 2nd phase, aims at creating 70 new model degree colleges and 8 new professional colleges.