The Hindu : National : Union Cabinet nod for schools of architecture in Bhopal, Vijayawada

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Union Cabinet nod for schools of architecture in Bhopal, Vijayawada

Special Correspondent

It also adopts policy on cruise shipping to promote the sector

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval for setting up two schools of planning and architecture at Bhopal and Vijayawada at a total cost of Rs.348.5 crore. The two institutes would be ready by 2012-13.

Announcing this, Union Minister and Cabinet spokesperson Prithviraj Chavan said the institutes would integrate graduate, post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral education in architecture and town planning. They would also foster quality research.

Chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet also adopted a policy on cruise shipping in the country, with a view to promoting the sector, which is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing components of the leisure industry worldwide. Growing at a rate of 12 per cent a year globally, the sector has been witnessing some activity in recent times. The policy is expected to give a boost to this.

Huge scope

Detailing the potential of the sector, Mr. Chavan noted that the industry annually generated $14 billion worldwide, enjoying a passenger base of over 10 million, which is expected to almost double by 2009. India’s share in this was at present only 2 per cent. There was a huge scope for increasing this, considering that India, with its vast and beautiful coastline, virgin forests and idyllic islands, could be a fabulous destination for cruise tourists.

The Cabinet also approved the moving of official amendments to the Seeds Bills on the basis of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, which had vetted the legislation introduced in Parliament in 2004.

Incentives for girl students

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also met on Thursday and approved a scheme of incentives for girl students to pursue secondary education, at a cost of Rs.1,500 crore during the 11th Plan period. The scheme would cover all girls who pass class VIII from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidhyalayas and who enrol for class IX and all SC/ ST girls, who clear class VIII and enrol for class IX irrespective of the school they were studying in.

The scheme would not, however, be applicable for married girls and those above the age of 16.

Under the scheme, Rs.3,000 would be deposited in a public sector bank or a post office in the name of each girl student under term deposit or fixed deposit. When the student attained the age of 18, on the production of 10th class pass certificate or a certificate from the principal of her school that she had continued her study for at least two years after enrolment in class IX, the amount along with the interest would be transferred to a savings bank account in the name of the girl.

Hostels for ST girls, boys

The CCEA also approved revision in the Centrally-sponsored scheme of hostels for ST girls and boys. Under the modified scheme, 100 per cent Central assistance would be provided to State governments and Union Territories and Central and other universities for construction or extension of hostels for ST girls.

For construction or extension of hostels for ST boys, the State governments would be eligible to receive on 50:50 matching basis, with a relaxation for naxal affected States, where the assistance would be 100 per cent.

Further, the CCEA approved certain revisions in the Central sector scheme for development and strengthening of agricultural marketing infrastructure, grading and standardisation and the scheme of capital investment subsidy for construction and renovation of rural godowns.

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