The cabinet has approved an additional 71.28 crore rupees for Bhopal Gas victims. The recommendations of the GOM on Bhopal Gas disaster cleared by the cabinet include payment of ex-gratia to additional 1703 cases of permanent disability at the rate of five lakh and allocation of one lakh rupees for over 1780 cases of temporary disability after adjustment of compensation amount already received by these victims. The approval today of over 71 crore rupees is in addition to 669 crore rupees already provided for payment to specified categories of Bhpal gas victims. The GOM was constituted in May this year to examine all issues relating to Bhopal Gas leak disaster and suggest remedial measures for relief and rehabilitation of victims.Government has decided to set up an Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) in the Planning Commission to assess the impact of government's flagship programmes. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Union Cabinet held in New Delhi this evening. This office will undertake impartial and objective assessment of the various public programmes to improve their effectiveness. The IEO will be under a Governing Board chaired by the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission. It will be funded by the Planning Commission and will have full functional autonomy.The Cabinet has also decided to wind up the National Fund for Rural Development and transfer the residual funds to council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Rural Development.The Cabinet also approve modifications in the Centrally Integrated Watershed Management Programme.