Cabinet briefing highlights: Government approves in-principle merger for BSNL and MTNL says Ravi Shankar Prasad

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BSNL, MTNL get Rs 14,000-cr revival plan with in-principal merger

State-run telecom companies Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telecom Nigam (MTNL) will receive a Rs 14,000-crore revival package, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar has said.... Read More

The governmenthas approved changes to the fuel retailing policy in India, Union Minister Prakash Javdekar announced on October 23. Marketing and transportation of fuel will now be open to new players. A company will need to have aminimum net worth of Rs 250 crore to obtainpermissionfor fuel retail outlet, with 5 percent of the fuel retail outlets will have to be set up in remote areas within two years of a company receiving authorisation.

HardeepSingh Puri: Those unauthorised colonies that will be not be covered under scheme will not include affluent colonies or those built on forest area.

Hardeep Singh Puri: Ownership rights will be conferred to those living on private land or government land on the basis of basic documentation. Most of these inhabitants belong to lower income group. Rate charged will be nominal.

Hardeep Singh Puri: It has been requested from time to time, as a result of robust autonomous urbanisation, to formalise these unauthorised colonies.

In a historic decision,the Cabinet has decided to give ownership rights to 40 lakhpeople living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi, union minister Prakash Javadekar has said.

Ravi Shankar Prasad: The GST on spectrum will be adjusted by the Government of India.

If a BSNL/MTNL employee is 53.5 year, if he opts for VRS, until the age of 60 years, the computed salary/pension/gratuity will be 125 percent.

Rs 38,000 crore worth of assets of BSNL and MTNL will monetised in the coming four years.

Rs 15,000 crore of sovereign bonds will be raised for the operations of BSNL and MTNL.

BSNL and MTNL are strategic assets of the country and they will not be sold, divested or hived off.

The government has increased the minimum support price for rabi crops and all edible oils, says Prakash Javadekar.