Page 42 - NIS - English, 01-15 January 2023

CABINET DECISIONS

HISTORIC DECISIONS OF THE CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT IN THE INTEREST OF

SOLDIERS AND FARMERS

Two pillars of the country - our soldiers and farmers. Showing sensitivity and
commitment towards the welfare of both, the Union Cabinet under the leadership of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken important decisions, aimed at the welfare of
poor sections of the country and soldiers

Decision: Cabinet approves free food grains for that in future the pension would be re-fixed every
81.35 crore beneficiaries. five years. About Rs 57,000 crore has been spent
Impact: A historic decision has been taken by the in the implementation of OROP at the rate of Rs
Central Government that the food security provided 7,123 crore per year in eight years. The benefit of
to the poor under the Food Security Act will now approval of amendment in One Rank One Pension
be made available to the people completely free will also be given to family pensioners including
of cost. Till now the foodgrain which was available widows of martyred soldiers and disabled
on subsidy, will now be made available for free. pensioners. With this decision, the youth will be
The welfare of the poor of the country is more attracted to join the armed forces and serve
paramount. With this aim, to ensure food the country.
security to them, the Central Government has Family pensioners including Veer Naris and
decided to provide free food grains till December Divyang pensioners will be benefitted.
2023 under the National Food Security Act. More than 25 lakh (including more than 4.52
The central government will spend about Rs 2 lakh new beneficiaries) pensioners of the
lakh crore on this from its budget. That means armed forces will be benefitted.
the poor will no longer have to pay any money Will be effective from 1 July 2019.
for food security. The central government will Rs 23,638 crore will be paid as arrears from
bear 100 percent of the expenditure on this. July 2019 to June 2020. This will result in an
additional annual expenditure of Rs.8450 crore.
Decision: Approval of revised pension under One
Rank One Pension. Decision: Approval of Minimum Support Price for
Impact: The Central Government took a historic Copra (Coconut) for 2023 season.
decision to implement One Rank One Pension Impact: MSP of fair average quality milling copra
(OROP) for Defence Forces Personnel/Family fixed at Rs 10,860 per quintal, while MSP of ball
Pensioners and a policy paper was issued on copra fixed at Rs 11,750 per quintal.
November 07, 2015 for revision of pension with Increase of Rs 270 per quintal for milling copra
effect from July 01, 2014. It was mentioned in it and Rs 750 per quintal for ball copra.

40 New India Samachar January 1-15, 2023