One Nation One Election: The government today accepted the recommendations of the High Level Committee constituted for exploring the idea of One Nation, One Election, paving the way for simultaneous elections across the country. Briefing media in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a high-level committee constituted under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind held extensive deliberations with stakeholders, including political parties and experts.
He said it will be implemented in two phases. He said that in the first phase, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held simultaneously, while local bodies’s elections like panchayats and municipalities will be conducted within 100 days of general elections.
The Minister informed us that the government has approved the Chandrayaan-4 Mission and the Venus Orbiter Mission to give a boost to the country’s science and technology sector. He said the cabinet has approved the mission to the moon, named Chandrayaan-4, to develop and demonstrate the technologies to come back to Earth after successfully landing on the moon. He also announced that the Cabinet has approved a mission to Venus, named the Venus Orbiter Mission, for scientific exploration and for better understanding of Venus atmosphere.
Mr. Vaishnaw also announced that the government has approved nutrient-based subsidy rates for Rabi Season 2024-2025 on phosphotic and potassium fertilizers. The minister said the financial implication would be over 24 thousand crore rupees. He said the government has also approved the continuation of schemes of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan to provide remunerative prices to farmers and to control price volatility of essential commodities for consumers.
The Union Minister informed that the government has approved Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gramme Abhiyan with a total outlay of 79 thousand 156 crore rupees. He said this scheme will improve the socio-economic condition of tribal communities by developing enabling infrastructure, ensuring economic empowerment, and providing access to quality education and health.
The Minister also said that the cabinet has given its nod for the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality. He said the government has also approved a Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development scheme with a new component, namely Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry.
