The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA, today approved continuation of Scheme for Special Infrastructure in Left Wing Extremism affected states during the 12th Plan period. Of the total cost of 373 crore rupees, 280 crore rupees is the Central Government share and 93 crore rupees as state government.

The proposal includes an added objective of upgradation and critical gap filling of training infrastructure, residential infrastructure, weaponry, vehicles and other related items pertaining to Special Forces of the affected states.

The CCEA has also approved the Minimum Support Price of raw jute at 2300 rupees per quintal for 2013-14 season. This is 100 rupees per quintal higher over the MSP of the last season.

The increase is expected to encourage farmers to step up investment in jute cultivation, production and productivity of jute in the country.

The CCEA has given its approval for the four laning of the Numaligarh-Jorhat section, Jorhat-Demow section and Demow-Bogibil junction section of National Highway-37 in Assam under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North Eastern Region.

The total estimated cost for the projects would be around 1932 crore rupees excluding land acquisition and other pre-construction activities.

The project related to extension of the existing container terminal at Visakhapatnam port for 30 years at an estimated cost of over 633 crore rupees was also approved by the CCEA. The project will be completed within 24 months from the date of award of the concession.

The CCEA also approved the four laning of the Jabalpur-Bhopal section of National Highway-12 in Madhya Predesh under the National Highways Development Project.

The estimated cost for the project will be around 2687 crore rupees.