The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the National Urban Health Mission to reduce rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality and for universal access to reproductive health care. Finance Minister Mr P Chidambaram briefed newsmen on the Cabinet decisions.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to a bill which provides for confiscating property illegally acquired by corrupt public servants. The sweeping changes to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 were approved by the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday. Mr. Chidambaram said, a timeframe has also been set for getting sanction of the competent authority to prosecute serving and retired bureaucrats and reasons will have to be specified for giving the nod or refusing it.
The Union Cabinet also approved the Empowered Group of Minister's (EGoM)’s decision to conduct auction of 839 channels of FM radio stations in 294 cities through e-auction. Mr. Chidambaram said, the decision is part of the amendments in the Policy Guidelines for Phase III expansion of FM Radio broadcasting services through private agencies.

Mr. Chidambaram also said that the government has approved amendments to a bill that seeks to eradicate manual scavenging. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012 includes provisions for mandatory inclusion of women in vigilance committees at the district, state and national level and a survey to identify manual scavengers.
The Union Cabinet also referred the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill to a Group of Ministers. The law deals with a woman's right to marital property in case of a divorce.