MSP scheme to benefit tribals
Once the decision on Minimum Support Price (MSP) is taken, tribals and forest-dwellers, who are currently forced to sell items such as tamarind for `8 per kg, as compared to the market price of `100-120 per kg, will get a higher selling price.
The new mechanism, which will be considered by the Union Cabinet, has the approval of the Planning Commission. As per the new mechanism, state government agencies will be buying the produce directly from tribals at the MSP and then selling it to end-produce manufacturers. The tribals, however, will have the choice of selling the produce to private agencies, provided they pay more than the MSP.
A Central Price Fixation Commission will be set up by the tribal affairs ministry to fix the MSP on an annual basis. The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India will enforce it across the states, sources said.
In 2010, the panchayati raj ministry had constituted a committee under T. Haque to recommend a mechanism for determining the minimum support price for minor forest products. A year later, the panel submitted its recommendation for a Central MSP.
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Info impacting security, foreign ties kept out
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, July 24
As part of its official amendment to the anti-corruption Whistleblowers Bill 2011, the government is likely to keep out of the proposed law’s ambit the information that could compromise strategic and economic interests and impact foreign relations. The Bill seeks to protect whistleblowers from harassment.
Sources said, the meeting of the Union Cabinet, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is likely to consider “official amendments to the Whistleblowers Protection Bill tomorrow”.
Though the official amendments were moved in the Rajya Sabha in 2012, the bill could not come up for proper discussion and passage. It came up for consideration on August 14, 2012 but the House was adjourned due to the demise of Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. Now the ministry of personnel is seeking the Union Cabinet’s post facto approval to the official amendments.
The bill seeks to set up a regular mechanism to encourage people to disclose information on corruption or wilful misuse of power by public servants, including ministers. One of the key amendments is “clear prohibition” of disclosures prejudicially affecting the sovereignty and integrity of the country. It also bars disclosure of information, which could compromise strategic, scientific and economic interests of the country and affect foreign relations.
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