The government on Thursday decided to extend Ujjwala, the free cooking gas connections scheme for identified beneficiaries by one year till 31 March, 2025.

Besides the free connection, the scheme provides a rebate of Rs 300 per cylinder, up to 12 cylinders in a year.

The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Briefing newspersons, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the decision has been taken on the eve of the International Women’s Day. In Delhi, a 14.2 kg cylinder under the scheme will cost Rs 603 only.

As on March 1, 2024, there are more than 10.27 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries. The total expenditure on this will be Rs 12,000 crore for financial year 2024-25. The subsidy is credited directly to bank accounts of the eligible beneficiaries.

Mr Goyal said the scheme saves women from health hazards while using smoke chullahs, and its coverage has reached the saturation level, reaching all deserving population.

In a step to benefit government employees and pensioners, the Cabinet approved to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1 January, 2024, representing an increase of four per cent over the existing rate of 46 per cent of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate against price rise.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs 12,868.72 crore per annum. This will benefit about 49.18 lakh Central Government employees and 67.95 lakh pensioners.

This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission

Mr Goyal said all benefits of government employees have been increased up to 25 per cent. As a result of this, the HRA will also go up. The gratuity limit is now Rs 25 lakh, up from Rs 20 lakh. During 2024-25, the total burden on the government as a result of these decisions will be Rs 24,400 crore.

The Union Cabinet approved a proposal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade for the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme, 2024 (UNNATI – 2024) for a period of 10 years from the date of notification along with eight years for committed liabilities at a total cost of Rs 10,037 crore.

In another decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Raw Jute for 2024-25 season.

The MSP of Raw Jute (TDN-3 equivalent to earlier TD-5 grade) has been fixed at Rs 5,335/- per quintal for 2024-25 season. This would ensure a return of 64.8 percent over the all India weighted average cost of production.

The announced MSP of raw jute for 2024-25 season is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the Government in the Budget 2018-19.

The decision is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Forty lakh jute growers will benefit.

The MSP for 2024-25 season is an increase of Rs 285/-per quintal for Raw Jute over the previous season. In the last 10 years, the Government has increased MSP for Raw jute from Rs 2,400 per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs 5,335/- per quintal in 2024-25, registering a growth of 122 percent.

In furtherance to the vision of Making AI in India and Making AI Work for India, the Cabinet approved a comprehensive national-level IndiaAI mission with a budget outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore.

This mission will establish a comprehensive ecosystem catalyzing AI innovation through strategic programmes and partnerships across the public and private sectors.