Page 57 - NIS English 1-15 Oct, 2026
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Union Cabinet Decisions
n These multi-tracking proposals will streamline
DECISION: Approval for three multi-track- operations and reduce congestion.
ing projects covering 14 districts across n The proposed multi-tracking projects will provide
West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya better connectivity to approximately 4,790 villages
Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. with a combined population of around 56 lakh.
IMPACT: The Indian Railways network will n The proposed capacity enhancement will improve
expand by approximately 656 kilometres. The rail connectivity to several major tourist destinations
total estimated cost of these projects is ₹10,783 across the country.
crore. They are planned to be completed by These projects include:
2029-30.
n Increased line capacity will significantly improve 1. Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th line
mobility, resulting in enhanced operational 2. Katni-Pendra Road, 4th line
efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. 3. Bilaspur (Uslapur) - Pendra Road 3rd line
More than 51 lakh employees will benefit
DECISION: Cabinet approves enhancement n Over 51 lakh employees are expected to come
of EPFO wage ceiling from Rs.15,000 to under the ambit of mandatory EPFO coverage.
Rs.25,000 per month n The annual Government outgo is estimated at
IMPACT: This decision boosts the formal about Rs.11,339 crore, against the existing annual
economy and advances India’s long-term vision budgetary support of about Rs.10,250 crore.
for social security. This approval marks another n The estimated expenditure over five years is
important step towards building an inclusive, approximately ₹56,696 crore.
resilient and future-ready social security archi- n This approval will enable more employees to
tecture, ensuring that social protection advanc- avail benefits such as Provident Fund savings,
es alongside economic growth, rising wages and pensions under the Employees’ Pension Scheme
expanding formal employment as India moves (EPS), and insurance coverage.
towards Viksit Bharat@2047.
n It will also enable the statutory contribution and
pensionable-wage framework to better reflect
n The decision came into effect on September 17, prevailing wage levels.
2026, coinciding with Vishwakarma Diwas and
Seva Diwas. n The EPFO wage ceiling remained unchanged
n Employees will benefit from provident fund during the decade from 2004 to 2014; it was
savings, pension, and insurance protection. raised to ₹15,000 in September 2014. n
n This is a major step towards providing social
security to all employees under the Labour Scan the QR code to watch
Codes. the press briefing on the
n It will promote the formalisation of employment Cabinet’s decisions
alongside social security coverage.
Oct 1-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 55
