Cabinet Clears ‘One Nation, One Poll’ and Major Agriculture-Space Proposals

The Union Cabinet has approved several key proposals with a total outlay exceeding ₹60,000 crore, covering areas from agriculture to space exploration. The much-anticipated ‘One Nation, One Poll’ policy, enabling simultaneous elections across India, also received approval. Additionally, the PM-AASHA scheme was revamped with a ₹35,000 crore budget to ensure Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farmers. The Cabinet also sanctioned a ₹24,474.53 crore subsidy on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the 2024-25 rabi season.

Space Missions

The Chandrayaan-4 mission, with a budget of ₹2,104.06 crore, aims to develop technologies for astronaut landings on the moon and their safe return. The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), allocated ₹1,236 crore, was approved for scientific exploration of Venus.

One Nation, One Poll Implementation

A group will be formed to implement the recommendations of the Ram Nath Kovind panel regarding ‘One Nation, One Poll’. This initiative is seen as a significant move towards enhancing democratic participation. There is no clarity yet on whether a bill will be introduced in the upcoming winter Parliament session.

PM-AASHA Reforms

The scope of PM-AASHA was expanded by merging the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), Price Support Scheme (PSS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) with the existing Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS). The Centre has also enhanced government guarantees to ₹45,000 crore for MSP-based procurement. Notably, the coverage for oilseeds under PDPS will increase from 25% to 40% of state production, while procurement for tur, urad, and masur will see 100% coverage for the 2024-25 season.