NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared a proposal to create 7,051 posts in various cadres in the Income Tax Department to overcome the shortage of manpower consequent to the Government order of 2001, which had curbed the filling of vacant posts.

Announcing the decision, Union Finance Minister and Cabinet spokesperson, P. Chidambaram, said the additional posts were needed to meet the acute shortage of manpower faced by the department on account of the exponential increase in workload due to various legislative measures brought into force in recent years.

The extra posts will add an expenditure of Rs.150 crores per annum to the exchequer. But, the cost of revenue collection in the country would still remain the lowest in the world. ``At present, the cost came to 0.62 per cent to 0.65 per cent. The additional expenditure will increase it only marginally. It will remain the lowest in the world,'' he said.

Chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet also gave its nod for enhancing the age of superannuation for specialists in the Central Health Service Officers cadre from 60 to 62, again on the ground that there was an acute shortage of the officers. The hike will be applicable to both teaching and non-teaching officers. There is not likely to be any additional financial burden because of the move, Mr. Chidambaram said.

It also approved a total provision of Rs.150 crore for commemoration of a series of events associated with freedom struggle: 150th anniversary of the first War of Independence (May 2007 to May 2008), 60th anniversary of Indian Independence (August 2007 to August 2008), centenary celebration of adoption of Vande Mataram as national song (September 2005 to September 2006) and the birth centenary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and the 75th anniversary of his martyrdom (2006 to 2008).

The Cabinet also gave its ex post facto approval for amalgamation of the United Western Bank Limited with the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI).

The Union Cabinet's Committee on Economic Affairs, which also met here on Thursday, approved construction of 1,000 km of expressways under phase VI of the National Highway Development Programme at a cost of Rs.16,680 crores through public-private partnership on build, operate and transfer basis. The private sector would contribute Rs. 9,000 crores and the Government the balance.

Besides, the CCEA gave its approval for a new component in the Centrally sponsored National Highway Mission for funding of modern terminal market projects for fruits, vegetables and other commodities in public-private partnership mode.

The Central and State Governments would participate in the projects by way of a share in equity up to 49 per cent. An outlay of Rs. 148 crores would be provided for the scheme during the current financial year for equity participation.

The terminal markets would operate on a hub and spoke format, where they would be the hub linked to a number of collection centres as the spokes.

While establishing backward linkages to farmers through the collection centres, they will establish forward linkages through wholesalers, distribution centres, retail cash and carry stores, processing units and exports.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail