The Cabinet today approved the construction of 69 bridges including approach roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar at a cost of over 371 crore rupees. This will impart all weather usability to the TKK road section, which is also part of the route for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service. It will improve connectivity between India and Myanmar and facilitate movement of goods and traffic. <br/><br/>The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, among BRICS countries on BRICS Network University. The negotiations were held during the 3rd BRICS Education Ministers meeting and Senior Officials meeting in November this year at Moscow. The MoU will help in developing pro-active cooperation among the BRICS nations for the purpose of enhancement of scientific research, higher education, information exchange, and mobility of students, researchers and educators. <br/><br/>The Cabinet also gave its nod to the signing and ratification of agreement for exchange of information between India and Maldives with respect to taxes. The Agreement will stimulate effective exchange of information between the two countries which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance. It has approved the signing of a Protocol amending the Convention between India and Slovenia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income. <br/><br/>The Cabinet also cleared the formation of Joint Venture Companies with various state governments to mobilize resources for undertaking various rail infrastructure projects in the states. The initial paid up capital of Ministry of Railways would be limited to 50 crore rupees for each State. Joint Venture Companies would be formed with equity participation of Ministry of Railways and concerned State governments. <br/><br/>Each Joint Venture would have an initial paid up Capital of 100 crore rupees based on the quantum of projects to be undertaken. This would ensure greater participation of State Governments in implementation of railway projects both in terms of financial participation as well as decision making process. <br/><br/>Government has given its nod to signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SINTEF, Norway and Central Public Works Department, CPWD for cooperation in the development of human resource capacity building and scientific research in the field of Recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste in India. <br/><br/>It also approved signing of MoU between the Urban Development Ministry and Bloomberg Philanthropies (BP), New York to support the development of Smart Cities. The proposal entails Bloomberg Philanthropies to work as Knowledge Partner and support the development and execution of a Cities Challenge under the Smart Cities Mission. The proposal under the Smart Cities Mission seeks to facilitate creation of quality urban infrastructure which will lead to improvement in the quality of urban life. <br/><br/>Cabinet also gave its approval for renewal of MoU between India and Canada for cooperation in Higher Education. The MoU will help to intensify existing partnerships between India and Canada in the field of Higher Education. It also took note of the administrative arrangements for implementing the India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement that came into force on 13th of November this year. The fuel supply arrangements with Australia will bolster energy security by supporting the expansion of nuclear power in India.