The Union Cabinet has approved the development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, including the construction of a new terminal building, apron extension, runway extension, parallel taxi track, and other related works. The project, spearheaded by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), aims to increase the airport's passenger handling capacity from the current 3.9 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 9.9 MPPA.

The estimated cost of the project is ₹2869.65 crore. The new terminal building, spanning 75,000 square meters, will be designed to handle 6 MPPA and 5000 peak hour passengers. It will feature a design that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Varanasi.

The project also includes extending the runway to 4075m x 45m and constructing a new apron to accommodate 20 aircraft. The airport will be developed as a "green airport", prioritizing environmental sustainability through measures like energy optimization, waste recycling, carbon footprint reduction, solar energy utilization, and natural daylighting.

The Union Cabinet has approved the "National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme" (NFIES) with a total financial outlay of ₹2254.43 crore. This scheme will be implemented over a period of five years, from 2024-25 to 2028-29. The scheme aims to strengthen the national forensic infrastructure by establishing new campuses for the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), setting up new Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) across the country, and enhancing the existing infrastructure of the NFSU's Delhi Campus.

The NFIES recognizes the importance of robust forensic infrastructure in bolstering the criminal justice system. The scheme addresses the growing need for trained forensic professionals to ensure timely and scientifically accurate examination of evidence, particularly in the context of the new criminal laws that mandate forensic investigations for serious offenses. The expansion of forensic infrastructure aims to alleviate the workload of existing laboratories, reduce case backlog, and contribute to the Government of India's goal of achieving a higher conviction rate.

The Union Cabinet has approved a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for the development of offshore wind energy projects in India. This scheme aims to establish the country's first offshore wind energy projects, tapping into the vast potential of wind energy resources available in India's exclusive economic zone.

The VGF scheme will provide financial support to private developers for the installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects, split equally between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The scheme will also allocate funds for upgrading two ports to accommodate the logistical requirements of offshore wind projects. The power infrastructure, including offshore substations, will be constructed by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).

This decision signifies a significant step towards realizing the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, introduced in 2015. The VGF support will make offshore wind projects financially viable, making them more attractive for investment and ultimately reducing the cost of electricity generated from these sources. The scheme is expected to boost economic growth, create employment opportunities, and accelerate India's energy transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the establishment of a new major port at Vadhavan, near Dahanu in Maharashtra. The port, to be developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), will be an all-weather, deep-draft port.

The project, estimated to cost ₹76,220 crore, will include the development of core infrastructure, terminals, and commercial facilities through public-private partnerships (PPP). The government will also ensure road and rail connectivity to the port.

The Vadhavan Port is designed to have nine container terminals, four multipurpose berths, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. Upon completion, the port will have a capacity of 298 million metric tons (MMT) per annum, including a container handling capacity of 23.2 million TEUs.

The port is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of India's maritime sector and facilitate trade along the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC).

The project is anticipated to create approximately 10 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities, boosting the local economy.

The Union Cabinet has approved the increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Kharif Crops for the Marketing Season 2024-25. The decision aims to ensure remunerative prices for farmers' produce.

The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for oilseeds and pulses, with Nigerseed seeing an increase of Rs. 983 per quintal, followed by Sesamum at Rs. 632 per quintal and Tur/Arhar at Rs. 550 per quintal.

The government aims to provide a minimum margin of 50% over the cost of production for most crops, with higher margins for Bajra (77%), Tur (59%), Maize (54%) and Urad (52%). This decision aligns with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost of production.

In recent years, the government has been promoting the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and Nutri-cereals/Shree Anna by offering higher MSPs. The government's efforts to ensure fair pricing for agricultural produce are expected to benefit farmers across the country.

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of an additional 3 crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme. The decision aims to meet the growing demand for affordable housing in both rural and urban areas. This move will provide housing assistance to eligible families across the country.

The PMAY scheme, launched in 2015-16, has already successfully completed the construction of 4.21 crore houses for eligible families. All these houses are equipped with basic amenities like toilets, LPG connection, electricity, and water connections through the convergence of various central and state government schemes.