The central government will release Rs 530.06 crore towards waiver of overdue interest of farmers in thirty-one districts across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.This has been announced today as a relief package for farmers whose crops have been affected.The government also announced that it will provide financial assistance to the private sector as incentive to employ disabled people. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today decided to allocate Rs 1800 crore for the purpose. This amount will be spent for the entire period of the 11th Five Year Plan.The government will spend this fund to reimburse the employer's contribution for the Employees Providend Fund in the case of disabled employees. It will also provide the ESI contribution for disabled employees for the first three years.The government hopes to help create 1 lakh jobs for the disabled in the private sector through this scheme.Other major government announcements include, a proposal under which ministers and high-ranking government officials of India and Egypt will soon be able to travel to each other's country without visas. The union cabinet today approved an agreement to be signed with Egypt seeking waiver of visa formalities for diplomatic and official passport holders.The cabinet also approved a treaty with Australia for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
