A major decision regarding the energy sector was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. During the cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced that the government has approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PMSSY). He noted that India already ranks among the world’s leading countries in per capita solar energy capacity. This new scheme will utilize the surface of the country’s water bodies, or reservoirs, for solar energy production. This initiative will further accelerate the production of clean energy in the country and ensure better utilization of natural resources.
Farmers’ dependence on expensive loans will reduce
The Union Cabinet has extended the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana for another five years, from fiscal year 2026-27 to 2030-31. The government has allocated a budget of ₹3.15 lakh crore for this period. Under the scheme, eligible farmers will receive financial assistance of ₹6,000 annually in three installments of ₹2,000 each directly into their bank accounts. This timely assistance, based on the crop cycle, will enable farmers to easily purchase seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural inputs. This government decision will reduce farmers’ dependence on expensive loans and strengthen the financial position of small and marginal farmers, especially those with higher incomes.
29,000 crore for Khelo India scheme
Another important Cabinet decision relates to strengthening the country’s sports culture and infrastructure. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav informed that a budget of ₹29,000 crore has been allocated for the next five years, expanding the Khelo India scheme. He recalled that it is because of the decisions taken to promote sports over the past decade that India is winning numerous medals in the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. The primary objective of this substantial budget is to ensure world-class preparation of Indian athletes for the upcoming Olympics, Paralympics, and especially the Commonwealth Games to be hosted by India in 2030.
Samudra Manthan program approved
At the Union Cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the next major program approved today is Samudra Manthan. Samudra Manthan is a program for the exploration and production of oil and gas in India. It is a massive and ambitious program with a budget of ₹84,000 crore. India’s Exclusive Economic Zone is the area of the sea over which India has sovereign rights and privileges.
There are large reserves of hydrocarbons, including oil and natural gas. If these resources are properly explored, India could significantly increase its domestic production. To this end, a comprehensive program has been developed for both exploration and subsequent production. This program has been named Samudra Manthan.
safety of seafarers
These legislative and policy developments were preceded by a crucial meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in the Prime Minister’s Office. Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this high-level meeting discussed in detail the current tense situation in West Asia. The government maintained a firm stance, emphasizing that the safety of Indian sailors would not be compromised under any circumstances.
It was clarified in the meeting that any untoward incident or death of Indian sailors will be strongly raised by the Government of India at the international level and any such incident causing harm to citizens will not be tolerated by India.