New Delhi, Oct 3 : The Union Cabinet today paved the way for the formal entry of Afghanistan into the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for ratification of the Protocol of Accession, which will accelerate Afghanistan''s formal joining of the SAFTA.

It will also help in the full implementation of the SAFTA by putting pressure on Pakistan to adhere to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) norms for the Sensitive List and give transit to Afghanistan.

New Delhi, Oct 3 : The Union Cabinet on Friday gave its approval for revising the income criteria for “creamy layer” from the present Rs. 2.5 lakhs per annum to Rs. 4.5 lakhs per annum.

The revision of income criteria was done to exclude socially advanced persons or sections (creamy layer) from the list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)

This action of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government gains momentum in the wake of upcoming elections in various States later this year.

NEW DELHI, 3 October 2008 – International cricket sensation Sachin Tendulkar has joined forces with UNICEF to get Indian children to wash their hands for better health and hygiene as part of the first ever Global Handwashing Day 15 October.

Tendulkar is featured in a public service announcement that will broadcast this month in 14 languages on television channels across the country to drum up support for the campaign targeting students in more than six million schools across India.

New Delhi, Oct 1 : The Union Cabinet today approved the Ministry of Defence''s proposal for effecting the upgradation of 1,896 posts in the services.

The move is a major step to improve career mobility, to fulfill aspirations and to achieve combat effectiveness by bringing down the age profile of commanding officers.

Popularly known as Phase-II of the Ajay Vikram Singh Committee (AVSC), report the proposals approved today would reduce stagnation.