New Delhi, July 31 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for releasing a sum of Rs. 500 crore towards Social Security Fund maintained by LIC, to provide for 50 per cent share of premium equal to Rs. 100 per member per annum under Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY).

This decision will facilitate to provide life and permanent disability cover to members of all Women Self Help Groups credit-linked to Banks under the JBY.

LIC will cover 2.50 lakh Women SHGs under JBY by March 31, 2009.

New Delhi, July 31 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the revised budget for the ''Dulhasti Hydro Electric Project'' in Jammu and Kashmir.

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said, “The cost of the project will be 5228 crore rupees, an increase of over 16 crore rupees due to escalation of cost of inputs.”

The 390 MW Jammu and Kashmir hydro project has been constantly hit by delays and cost escalation problems. The project, built on River Chenab, was initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1983.

The project is seen as significant as on the one hand it will provide electricity at a cheaper rate while on the other, it will generate employment opportunities for locals.

New Delhi, July 31 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for the introduction of a New Pension Scheme of the Government of India to the employees of the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).

The scheme is admissible to all new recruits, as well as the existing employees of the NVS.

All regular NVS employees joining NVS after the date of notification are eligible for the New Pension Scheme. For those who are regular employees of NVS, they have the option to continue with the existing Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme or to join the New Pension Scheme.

New Delhi, July 31 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the rele

New Delhi, July 31: Union Minister for Human Resource and Development, Arjun Singh, who was admitted to Intensive Care Unit of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) following complaint of severe stomachache on Wednesday night, is in a stable condition.

Singh, 77, has been diagnosed with the acute Cholecysitis (stomach ailment), cardio-artery disease, breathing trouble and kidney problem as a result of diabetes, hospital sources said.

New Delhi, July 30 : The Centre will soon introduce a bill to protect the interests of the consumers in the areas of weights and measures.

Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday at the 24th meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council in New Delhi that the Comprehensive Legal Metrology Bill will replace the present weight and measure act.

“A National Consumer Protection Authority will also be set up to take suo-moto action against the hazardous consumer items and service providers,” the Minister said.