Cabinet Approves Setting Up of 12 Industrial Smart Cities

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the setting up of  12 industrial smart cities with a substantial investment of ₹28,500 crore. This ambitious project is expected to generate approximately 12 lakh man-days of employment, 12 lakh direct jobs, and 20 lakh indirect jobs, marking a significant boost to the Indian economy.

The planned industrial areas are strategically distributed across the country to leverage regional strengths and promote balanced economic development. The list of locations includes:

1. Khurpia in Uttarakhand

2. Rajpura, Patiala in Punjab

3. Agra in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on clean and environmentally friendly industrial practices

4. Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh

5. Gaya in Bihar, emphasizing agro, textile, and engineering sectors

6. Eighi Port Industrial Area in Maharashtra, geared towards port-led industrialisation

7. Jodhpur, Pali in Rajasthan

8. Koparthy in Andhra Pradesh

9. Orvakal in Andhra Pradesh

10. Zaheerabad in Telangana

11. Palakkad in Kerala

12. Jamshedpur-Purulia-Asansol in the eastern region

This development is set to enhance infrastructure, foster industrial growth, and drive sustainable economic progress throughout the country.

Cabinet approves rolling out private FM radio for 234 uncovered new cities

The Union Cabinet also approved a proposal to hold third batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 channels in 234 new cities under Private FM Radio Phase III Policy.

The estimated reserve price has been pegged at Rs 784.87 crore.Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here that the Cabinet also approved a proposal to charge an annual license fee (ALF) of FM channel as four per cent of gross revenue excluding GST. This will be applicable for 234 new cities / towns.

The private FM radio roll out in 234 new cities and towns will fulfil the unmet demand for FM radio in these areas which still remain uncovered by private FM radio broadcasting and bring new and local content in mother tongue, an official statement said. It will lead to creation of new employment opportunities, boost to local dialect and culture and ‘vocal for local’ initiatives, it underlined.

Many of the approved towns are in aspirational districts and Left Wing Affected areas.

Setting up of private FM radio in these areas will further strengthen government outreach in these areas, the statement said. 

Cabinet approves expansion of scope of AIF scheme

The government moreover expanded the scope of Rs 1 lakh crore-Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme to make it more attractive, as part of its objective to strengthen farm-related infrastructure facilities in the country.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the "progressive expansion in central sector scheme of financing facility under the AIF to make it more attractive, impactful and inclusive", an official statement said.

In a significant move to enhance and strengthen the agricultural infrastructure in the country and support the farming community, the government has announced a series of measures to expand the scope of the AIF scheme.

"These initiatives aim at expanding the scope of eligible projects and integrate additional supportive measures to foster a robust agricultural infrastructure ecosystem," it added.