Lok Sabha Election 2024, Phase 1: Voting on 102 seats underway
In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024, as many as 102 constituencies spanning across 21 states and Union Territories will elect their new MPs.
The Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cleared the proposal for an MoU between India and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on the return of illegal migrants.
It will facilitate the visa free agreement for holders of diplomatic passports as well as liberalisation of UK visa regime for those who are travelling to the UK legally, after the conclusion of the MoU.
It will ensure the return of persons who have no lawful basis to be in the territory of the other party after verification of nationality to its satisfaction.
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It will also help in streamlining the procedure of return of nationals who are caught to be staying illegally in a specified time-frame.
Pay hike for LGs: The Cabinet also approved the revision of pay and allowances of lieutenant governors of Union Territories. It will bring the pay and allowances of LGs at par with that of the secretary to the Government of India.
The increase in pay and allowances of lieutenant governors of Union Territories will be with effect from 1 January 2016 from Rs.80,000 per month plus dearness allowance, sumptuary allowance at the rate of Rs 4,000 per month and local allowances to Rs 2,25,000 plus dearness allowance, sumptuary allowance at the rate of Rs.4,000 per month and local allowances at the same rate as applicable to the officers of the rank of secretary to the government.
It will be subject to the condition that the total emoluments (excluding sumptuary allowance and local allowances) shall not exceed the total emoluments drawn by the Governor of a state.
The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for entering into headquarters (host country) agreement between India and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and authorising the Ministry of External Affairs to sign the headquarters agreement. The agreement was signed on 26 March.
Ministers allowed to award oil blocks: The Cabinet also approved delegation of powers to minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and minister of Finance to approve the award of blocks and contract areas to successful bidders under HELP and OALP after international competitive bidding (ICB).
This is in line with the government initiative of ease of doing business. This delegation of powers will expedite the decision-making process in awarding blocks.
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