The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA today approved revised cost estimate of North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project for six States for strengthening of the Intra-State Transmission and Distribution Systems.
Briefing media in New Delhi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said, main objective of the project is Government’s commitment for the total economic development of North Eastern Region and to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure in the Region.
He said, implementation of the scheme will create a reliable power grid and improve North Eastern States’ connectivity to the upcoming load centers and thus extend the benefits of grid connected power to all categories of consumers in North Eastern Region.
Mr Javadekar said, CCEA has also approved assistance of Rs. 3,500 crore for sugarcane farmers.
He said, Cabinet has taken the decision to help farmers directly by depositing money of subsidy into their accounts.
The subsidy will be given on 60 lakh tonnes of sugar exports at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per tonne.
It will benefit five crore farmers and five lakh workers.
The Cabinet also approved auction of spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz frequency bands, for validity period of 20 years.
Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that a total of 2,251.25 MHz is being offered with total valuation of Rs. 3,92,332.70 crore at reserve price.
The Cabinet has given its approval for Memorandum of Understanding between Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), India and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), United States of America (USA) for exchange of information and experiences in areas of mutual interest to both in the electricity sectors.