Jute policy approved

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved a Comprehensive National Jute Policy 2005, to ensure remunerative prices to jute growers, enhance quality of jute fibre and increase India's share in the commodity in the global market.

A Rs 159-crore Rubber Plantation Development Scheme (RPDS) to be undertaken by the Rubber Board during the Tenth Plan period was also cleared.

The CECA approved the minimum buffer stocking norms for grains for each quarter of the remaining period of the Tenth Plan.

The buffer stock norm for rice during the first quarter starting April 1, has been pegged at 122 lakh tonnes compared to 118 lakh tonnes during the Ninth period.

The CCEA also approved an increase in the authorised and paid up share capital of the Indian Medical Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Uttaranchal, to Rs 7 crore and sanctioned an investment of Rs 5 crore in equity of the company to implement the second phase of modernisation.

The setting up of the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities in Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs 61.90 crore, was also approved.