The Hindu : National : Cabinet clears amendment Bill on OBC reservation

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Cabinet clears amendment Bill on OBC reservation

Aarti Dhar

“The legislation shall be introduced immediately”
Draft ‘Land Ports Authority of India Bill, 2008 approved

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday agreed to introduce a Bill in Parliament to overcome “practical difficulties” in implementing the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 that provides 27 per cent reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBC) in admissions to higher education institutions.

The Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the introduction of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Bill, 2008, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

“The legislation shall be introduced immediately,” he said, adding that the amended bill would facilitate overcoming the “practical difficulties in implementing the provisions of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006.”

The government also approved the draft legislation, for setting up a Central authority for construction and maintenance of land check-posts on borders.

The Cabinet cleared the draft ‘Land Ports Authority of India Bill, 2008’ that would now be introduced in Parliament. “The proposed Land Port Authority of India will have the mandate to construct, manage and maintain the integrated check-posts [ICPs] on the borders for regulation of trade and transit,” Mr. Dasmunsi said.

Some of the ICPs have already started working on borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Full-fledged customs and other services are provided at the ICPs to traders, enabling smooth flow of items.

Easing licensing norms

The Cabinet decided to relax licensing norms for location of industrial units in suburban limits of big cities. It was decided to delete rules governing locations under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951.

Earlier, industries other than non-polluting electronics, computer software and printing units were not allowed to be located within 25 km from the periphery of cities having a population of one million.

“Since grant of industrial licence is on the basis of recommendations of the State government and clearances from the State Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the existing procedure of granting licence can be dispensed with,” Mr. Dasmunsi said.

He said the location policy, which was notified in 1991 under the IDR Act, amounted to an unnecessary hurdle to setting up industries.

The government also approved providing a second helicopter by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited for the Lakshadweep administration’s emergency requirement, including maintenance of law and order and inter-island services, for five years with a provision of subsidy to the tune of Rs. 1,310.31 lakh annually.

“The helicopter will be stationed at Kavaratti and will be utilised for providing connectivity for emergency requirements during monsoon when there is no other mode of transport,” Mr. Dasmunsi said.

Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, a public service undertaking, has been providing service with one helicopter to the Lakshadweep administration on lease from February 1987. It is subsidised by the Home Ministry. Initially, the arrangement was for five years and has subsequently been extended after five years. The latest extension has been approved till March 31, 2012.

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