Cabinet approves the new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan — The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved an Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan . The bilateral trade relations between India and Bhutan are governed by the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between the Government of India and Bhutan . The Agreement provides for a free trade regime between two countries. The Agreement also provides for duty free transit of Bhutanese merchandise for trade with third countries.
The Agreement was renewed on 29th July 2006 for a period of ten years. The validity of this Agreement was extended, with effect from 29th July 2016, for a period of one year or till the new agreement comes into force, through exchange of Diplomatic notes. The traditionally unique bilateral relations characterized by trust and understanding between India and Bhutan have matured over the years and would be further strengthened by execution of the proposed Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit Agreement.
Cabinet approves establishment of National Academic Depository –The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has accorded its approval for establishment and operationalisation of a National Academic Depository (NAD). The decision aims at bringing another dimension and enhancement of the vision of Digital India. The NAD would be established and operationalised within the next three months and would be rolled out throughout the country in 2017-18.
Cabinet approves New Productivity Linked Reward Scheme for all Major Port Trusts and Dock Labour Board employees/workers for the years 2015-16 to 2017-18 — The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to New Productivity Linked Reward Scheme for all Major Port Trusts and Dock Labour Board employees/workers for the years 2015-16 to 2017-18. The new PLR scheme applicable from 2015-2016 to 2017-2018 will benefit about 37870 Port and Dock workers/employees in all the Major Port Trusts and the yearly outgo will be Rs. 49.58 crore.
Ministry of Shipping has formulated a New Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) Scheme for all Major Port Trusts and Dock Labour Board employees/workers for the years 2015-16 to 2017-18. PLR will be calculated on the enhanced wage ceiling for calculation of Bonus at Rs. 7000/- per month. PLR shall be paid annually on the basis of 50% weightage given to all India Performance and 50% weightage given to the individual Port Performance. The arrear payments of PLR for the year 2014-15 to the employees/workers by the Major Port Trusts and Dock Labour Board will be calculated on the enhanced wage ceiling of Rs.7000/- per month for calculation of Bonus instead of Rs.3500/- per month on the existing methodology of combined All India Port Performance.
Cabinet approves exchanging of land between Airports Authority of India and Government of Odisha for widening of road at Biju Patnaiak Airport, Bhubaneshwar — The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the exchanging of Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) land measuring 1.6 acres with an equivalent land area of 1.6 acres offered by Odisha Government. The State Government has offered 1.6 acres of land in lieu of 1.6 acres land of AAI and agreed to undertake and relocate all the existing infrastructure of AAI on the subject land on its own cost. Further, the land offered by the State Government is contiguous to existing airport and it will be used by AAI for construction of Parallel Taxi Track. The exchange of land is not only beneficial to the State Government & AAI but also to the people.
Cabinet approves one time relaxation in the cost norms and guidelines of MIDH –The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for one time relaxation of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) cost norms for implementation of PM’s Special package for Jammu & Kashmir towards restoration of damaged horticulture areas and development of horticulture in State. CCEA approved the following:

a. Import of planting material at the maximum rate of Rs.460 per plant for 329 hectares of new apple orchards and restoration of 3900 hectares of old damaged apple orchards. The rate of financial assistance shall be 90% i.e 90% shall be borne by the Government and 10% by the beneficiary farmer.
b. Import of 4 wire trellis system at the rate of Rs.9.8 lakh per ha for 329 ha of new apple orchards. The rate of financial assistance shall be 50% i.e. 50% shall be borne by the Government and 50% by the beneficiary farmer.
c. Applicability of MIDH cost norms for the interventions approved for implementation of PM’s Package in J&K till financial year 2018-19.
d. Additional fund requirement of Rs. 111.89 crore, Rs. 171.66 crore, and 166.48 crore amounting to Rs. 450 crore in FY 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively as 90% Government of India share in the overall package of Rs.500 crore.