Historic decisions are taken by Cabinet to boost infrastructure across sectors
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund set-up
Background :
- In pursuance of recently announced Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package, Cabinet today approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) amounting to Rs. 15000 crore.
- The government had earlier approved the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) worth Rs. 10,000 crores for incentivizing investment by the cooperative sector for the development of dairy infrastructure. However, the MSMEs and Private companies also need to be promoted and incentivized for their participation in processing and value addition infrastructure in the animal husbandry sector.
- The AHIDF approved today would incentive infrastructure investments in dairy, meat processing, and animal feed plants. The eligible beneficiaries under the Scheme would be Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), MSMEs, Section 8 Companies, Private Companies, and individual entrepreneurs with only a 10% margin money contribution by them. The balance 90% would be the loan component to be made available to them by scheduled banks.
- The government of India will provide a 3% interest subvention to eligible beneficiaries. There will be 2 years moratorium period for repayment of a loan with 6 years repayment period thereafter. The government of India would also set up a Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs. 750 crore to be managed by NABARD which would provide credit guarantee to the projects which are covered under the MSME defined ceilings. Guarantee Coverage would be upto 25% of the Credit facility of the borrower.
Benefits :
- There is huge potential waiting to be unlocked through private sector investment in the animal husbandry sector. The AHIDF with the interest subvention scheme for private investors will ensure the availability of capital to meet upfront investment required for these projects and also help enhance overall returns/ payback for investors. Such investments in processing and value addition infrastructure by eligible beneficiaries would also promote exports.
- Since almost 50-60% of the final value of dairy output in India flows back to farmers, the growth in this sector can have a significant direct impact on farmer’s income. The size of the dairy market and farmers’ realization from milk sales is closely linked with the development of organized off-take by cooperative and private dairies. Thus, investment of Rs. 15,000 crores through AHIDF would not only leverage several times more private investment but would also motivate farmers to invest more in inputs thereby driving higher productivity leading to an increase in farmers' income. The measures approved today through AHIDF would also help in direct and indirect livelihood creation for about 35 lakh persons.
Declaration of Kushinagar Airport in UP as International Airport
Background :
- Kushinagar is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It is regarded as a very sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center where Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world come for a pilgrimage. Kushinagar is dotted with several other Buddhist sites in the nearby surroundings like Sravasti (238 km), Kapilvastu (190 km), and Lumbini (195 km) that makes it an attraction for both followers and visitors alike. Kushinagar already serves as the presenting site for Buddhist circuit pilgrimage spanning across India and Nepal. Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to declare Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport.
Benefits :
- The Buddhist Circuit is a key pilgrimage destination for 530 million practicing Buddhists across the globe. Hence the declaration of Kushinagar Airport as an 'International Airport' will offer improved connectivity, a wider choice of services at competitive costs to the air-travelers resulting in boosting domestic/international tourism and economic development of the region.
- On any given day, around 200-300 devotees from Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Burma, etc are coming and offering their prayers at Kushinagar. However, this International tourist destination has no direct connectivity, which has been a long pending demand of the visitors.
- Direct international connectivity to Kushinagar would substantially increase the number of foreigners and domestic tourists visiting Kushinagar, which will also provide an impetus to the economic development of the region. The international airport is expected to boost the already growing tourism and hospitality ecosystem in the country.
Additional investment by OVL towards further development of Shwe oil & gas project in Myanmar approved
Background :
- ONGC Videsh (OVL) has been associated with the exploration and development of the Shwe gas project in Myanmar since 2002, as part of a consortium of companies from South Korea, India, and Myanmar. The Indian PSU, GAIL, is also a co-investor in this project. OVL has invested US$ 722 million (about Rs 3949 crores, as per the corresponding average annual exchange rate) till 31st March 2019 in this project. The first gas from Shwe Project was received in July 2013 and plateau production was reached in December 2014. The Project has been generating positive cash flows since FY 2014-15. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved an additional investment of US$ 121.27 million (about Rs 909 crores; 1 US$ = Rs 75) by ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) towards further development of Shwe oil & gas project in Myanmar.
Benefits :
- The participation of Indian PSUs in oil & gas exploration and development projects in neighboring countries is aligned with India’s Act East Policy, and also part of India’s strategy to develop Energy Bridges with its neighbors in addition to further strengthening India’s energy security needs.
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