Govt approves scheme for capacity building in textile sector

Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the 'scheme for capacity building in textile sector', entailing skill development with an outlay of Rs 1,300 crore, for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20. 

The scheme will also have national skill qualification framework (NSQF) compliant training courses with funding norms as per the common norms notified by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

According to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the objectives of the scheme are to provide demand driven, placement oriented skilling programme to incentivize the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors.

The scheme will also promote skilling and skill up-gradation in the traditional sectors through respective Sectoral Divisions/organizations of Ministry of Textiles; besides providing livelihood to all sections of the society across the country.

First National Rail, Transportation University at Vadodara  

The Cabinet has also approved the Ministry of Railways' transformative initiative to set up the first ever National Rail and Transport University (NRTU) in Vadodara to skill its human resources and build capability. 

The University will be set up as a Deemed to Be University under de novo category as per the UGC [Institutions Deemed to be Universities] Regulations, 2016. Government is working towards completing all approvals by April 2018 and to launch the first academic program in July 2018.

Cadre Review of Group A Executive Officers of SSB 

The Cabinet has approved conferment of Central Group 'A' Service and Cadre Review of Group 'A' Executive Officers of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) with net creation of 19 posts of various ranks from Assistant Commandant to Inspector General ranks to enhance the operational and administrative capabilities of SSB.

Increase of existing structure of Group ‘A’ posts from 1253 to 1272 posts are as follows:

Increase of 2 posts of Inspector General (SAG level).  

Net increase of 11 posts of DIG /Commandant (JAG level)

Increase of 2 posts of DC (STS level).           

Increase of 4 posts of AC (JTS level).    

Panel on sub-categorization of OBCs gets extension

The Cabinet has approved the extension of term of the commission to examine the issue of sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes, by twelve weeks i.e. upto 2nd April, 2018. The extension of tenure will enable the Commission to submit a comprehensive report on the issue of sub-categorization of OBCs, after consultation with various stakeholders.
 
The commission was constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution with the approval of President on 2nd October, 2017 and it was stipulated that it would submit its report within twelve weeks from the assumption of charge by the chairperson.

The Cabinet also gave its ex-post-facto approval for a emorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Cuba on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.