The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the following:

• First extension of Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS), launched in 2015-16, to support Indian Entities bidding for strategically important infrastructure projects abroad. It is proposed to extend the Scheme for another five years from 2018 to 2023.
• Raising funds up to Rs.15,000 crore as Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) (Gol Fully Serviced Bonds) for Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [SBM(G)] during the financial year 2018-19 through NABARD.
• Expansion of the scope of work of the Society named International Centre for Drinking Water Quality to authorise it for receiving EBR funds for SBM(G), disbursement of the same to the Sates/UTs implementing agencies, and its repayment.
  • Change the name of the Society to “National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality” in place of “International Centre for Drinking Water Quality”.
• Restructuring of Agricultural Scientists’ Recruitment Board (ASRB) that will now be a 4 Member body instead of 3 Members and have a Chairperson and 3 Members.
  • ASRB would be for a period of three years or till attainment of 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.
  • For the purpose of autonomy, secrecy, accountability and efficient functioning ASRB shall be delinked from ICAR and to be attached with Deptt. of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Policy to permit exploration and exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons such as Shale oil/gas, Coal Bed Methane (CBM) etc to be carried out under the existing Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), CBM contracts and Nomination fields to encourage the existing Contractors in the licensed/leased area to unlock the potential of unconventional hydrocarbons in the existing acreages.
• Opening of 13 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in seven States and a second Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Alot, District Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh.
  • These 13 schools are in Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Washim (Maharashtra), Chakpikarong (Manipur), Parbhani (Maharashtra), Nawada (Bihar), Mirjapur (Uttar Pradesh), Bhadohi (“Uttar Pradesh), Palamau (Jharkhand), Siddipet (Telangana), Kudamalakunte, (Karnataka), CISF Surajpur (Uttar Pradesh), Devkund (Bihar) and Baoli (Uttar Pradesh).The CCEA also approved the establishment of an additional Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) at Alot, Ratlam District, Madhya Pradesh.
• Grant of Interest Free Loan (IFL) equivalent to the interest during construction (IDC) component of Rs.422.28 crore, 415.77 crore and 419.77 crore for Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni projects respectively to Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited (HURL) fertilizer projects. The total value of the IFL will be Rs.1257.82 crore.
• Issue of fresh 13,87,82,700 equity shares to the extent of 15% of paid up equity capital efface value of Rs. 5/- each by Hindustan Copper Limited(HCL) through the Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP) route as per SEBI and other applicable guidelines. As a result, Gol shareholding in HCL will come down from 76.05% to 66.13%. Further, the paid-up share capital of HCL will increase from the present Rs. 462.61 crore to Rs. 532 crore.