Page 9 - NIS English 16-31 Aug, 2026

UNION CABINET DECISIONS

across the country, including Ballari Fort and the Sri
Kumaraswamy Temple.
DECISION: Approval granted for the ‘Pradhan n It will save approximately 13.2 million litres of fuel
Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)’—a annually. The project will reduce carbon dioxide
scheme for developing floating solar photovol- emissions by 66.7 million kilograms, an amount
taic projects, including energy storage systems. equivalent to planting 2.7 million trees.
IMPACT: Floating solar photovoltaic projects with a
capacity of 5,000 MW will be developed under this
scheme. DECISION: Approval for the revised Khelo India
Scheme and enhanced support for National
n The scheme will contribute to increasing renewable Sports Federations (NSFs).
energy capacity and support the achievement of IMPACT: A budget allocation of ₹36,441 crore for the
national energy and climate objectives.
period 2026-27 to 2030-31. The approved allocation
n It will facilitate the optimal use of water resources is approximately eight times that of the previous
while advancing the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ Khelo India Scheme.
(Developed India).
n This new initiative will strengthen sports
n The scheme will benefit all states and Union infrastructure. Under this, the assistance provided to
Territories and generate large-scale employment. National Sports Federations will be increased.
The total budget allocation is ₹5,070 crore.
n Funding will be arranged for capacity building, and
the expertise of foreign specialists will be utilized to
DECISION: Approval granted for the project to lay enable athletes to reach new heights and prove their
third and fourth railway lines on the Ballari-Guntakal mettle on the global stage.
rail section across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
IMPACT: The estimated cost of the project is ₹1,264 DECISION: Approval for ‘Samudra Manthan’ – the
crore. The project is targeted for completion by the National Offshore Exploration Scheme.
year 2028–29. Increased line capacity will ensure IMPACT: ‘Samudra Manthan’ is a transformative
smoother rail operations and significantly improve national initiative designed to harness the country’s
Indian Railways’ operational efficiency and service offshore energy resources, strengthen long-term
reliability. This multi-tracking project will play a energy security, enhance technical capabilities,
crucial role in streamlining rail operations and re- and create sustainable value for the economy and
ducing congestion. future generations.

n It will add approximately 46 kilometres to the n This scheme will significantly boost offshore
existing Indian Railways network. exploration activities. It will promote domestic

n It will provide an additional freight-carrying capacity oil and gas production and generate large-scale
of 16 million tonnes per annum, resulting in annual employment.
savings of approximately ₹149 crore in logistics costs. n Simultaneously, domestic manufacturing will
n Rail connectivity for around 99 villages will improve, be strengthened under the ‘Make in India’ and
benefiting seven lakh people. ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiatives.
n Enhanced rail route capacity will improve n An outlay of ₹84,084 crore has been approved for
connectivity to several major tourist destinations the scheme up to the financial year 2030-31.

We are committed to the empowerment and prosperity of our farmer
brothers and sisters across the country. In this direction, approval has
been granted to extend the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
Yojana until 2030-31. This not only helps our farmers meet their needs
regarding seeds, fertilizers, and farming operations but also improves
their economic condition. – Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Aug 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 7