The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA, has approved an additional allocation of five million tonnes of foodgrains to families below the poverty line, BPL. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in New Delhi last evening. The extra foodgrain allocation would be adjusted in states where the new Food Security programme will be implemented. Delhi, Uttarkhand and Haryana have announced implementation of the new food law, which aims to provide legal right over subsidised foodgrains.

The CCEA gave its approval for continuation of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme with a total outlay of 55,200 crore rupees to create an additional irrigation potential of 8.7 million hectare.

Information and Broadcating Minister Manish Tewari said, the Cabinet approved Second Vehicle Assembly Building at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It would provide enhanced launch frequency of PSLV and GSLV by facilitating parallel integration operations.

The Cabinet gave its nod to enhance the authorised share capital of National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation from 700 crore to 1500 crore rupees. It will also help more number of persons belonging to the OBCs in getting loans and financial support.

The government also approved a proposal to invest 4.3 billion dollars in World Bank bonds which will help the country secure additional funding from the multilateral agency for infrastructure projects.