Youth affairs & sports

• 
  A pilot scheme for repair, renovation and restoration of water bodies directly linked to agriculture approved with an outlay of Rs. 300 crores.
  

• 
  A scheme for Flood Control in Brahmaputra and Barak Valley of Assam with an estimated cost of Rs. 150 crores approved, and works taken up in Assam, Tripura and Mizoram.
  

• 
  Schemes for Rain Water Harvesting & Ground Water Recharge formed.
  

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  Support provided for improvements in irrigation system through 133 Command Area Development Schemes.
  

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  Support to State Governments for completion of irrigation projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme.
  

• 
  Schemes and feasibility reports on Interlinking of Rivers prepared.
  

• 
  The Committee of environmentalists, social scientists and other experts on Interlinking of Rivers constituted to address environmental, social and ecological consensus while preparing the Detailed Project Reports on Interlinking of Rivers.
  

* * *

17

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  The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (FPI) increased its interactions with the State Governments for developing the FPI sector as the State Nodal Agencies (SNAs).
  

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  A conference of State Ministers of Food Processing held to discuss the need to frame an integrated Food Law, National Food Processing Policy and lowering of sales tax and other taxes on food products.
  

• 
  The Draft National Policy of Food Processing and Vision prepared for a speedy development of the food processing sector.
  

• 
  To rationalise the multiplicity of food laws, a Group of Ministers (GoM) set up to suggest legislative and other changes to formulate a modern and integrated food law.
  

• 
  A Draft Integrated Food Law (IFL) cleared by the GoM.
  

• 
  A National Institute of Food Technology and Management (NEFTEM) to be set up to develop world-class food technologists and train entrepreneurs and managers in the food industry.
  

• 
  Investors’ meets in the FPI sector for the North Eastern Region and J&K held to deliberate on ways and means for promoting food processing industries in the region.
  

• 
  An International Investment Conference to be organised in August, 2005.
  

• 
  The Government to support the establishment of one modern food processing industry/food park in each Parliamentary constituency besides, 10 mega food parks in the country.
  

• 
  The Government allowed under Income Tax Act, a deduction of 100 per cent of profit for five years and 25 per cent of profits for the next five years in case of new agro processing industries.
  

• 
  Excise duty on dairy machinery reduced to zero and on meat, poultry and fish reduced from 16 per cent to 8 per cent.
  

• 
  For making value addition in palm oil sector, customs duty on refined palm oil fixed at 75 per cent.
  

• 
  Paddy Processing Research Centre at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu to be upgraded and modernized and have institutional tie-ups with Jadavpur University, West Bengal.
  

• 
  A Fishery Development Council (FDC) and Meat Development Board (MDB) to be constituted.
  

*****

MINISTRY OF PLANNING

• 
  Additional funds provided to both centre and state governments for implementing NCMP based objectives- SSA, employment guarantee scheme, rural health, ICDS and road network in north-eastern region given greater attention.
  
• 
  Strategy evolved to expedite implementation of cross-sectoral NCMP are - reports of inter-ministerial task groups set up for the purpose sent to Prime Minister.
  
• 
  Special Purpose Vehicle being set up to finance infrastructure in specified sectors- roads, ports, airports and tourism to benefit most.
  
• 
  Task force constituted to promote trade and investment opportunities in north- eastern region.
  
• 
  Standing committee working to address inter-sectoral issues related to tribal development.
  
• 
  Backward regions grant fund set up- rs.5,000 crore provided this year.
  
• 
  Committee under chairmanship of Prime Minister is working to finalize roadmap for creating world class infrastructure delivering services. recommendations on civil aviation and national highway sector finalized.
  
• 
  Another committee under chairmanship of Prime Minister working to initiate policies aimed at developing quality infrastructure in rural areas.
  
• 
  Intensive dairy development project being launched to ensure remunerative prices for milk.
  
• 
  Marine fishing policy formulated to promote integrated development of marine fisheries.
  
• 
  More funds for elementary education to meet UPA Government commitment to universalization of access to basic education.
  
• 
  To generate supplementary wage employment &food security national food for work programme launched in 150 most backward states.
  
• 
  Efforts are on to secure atleast 100 days of work to one adult member of every poor household- national rural employment guarantee bill tabled.
  
• 
  More funds provided for education and economic development of minorities.
  
• 
  Pilot project launched in 25 states to repair, renovate and restore water bodies linked to agriculture. Rs. 300 crore provided this year.
  
• 
  National harvesting scheme for SC and ST farmers announced. One lakh irrigation units to be covered,
  
• 
  Rs. 150 crore schemes for critical anti-erosion works in Brahmaputra-Barak basin approved. Nine states will benefit from the scheme.
  
• 
  National urban renewal mission for fast track planned development of 60 selected cities being launched.
  
• 
  Jute Technology Mission being proposed to further develop and mordernise jute industry.