Cabinet approval for world’s largest grain storage plan & office of UPU

An Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) would be constituted for facilitation of the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector”.

The Union Cabinet approved the constitution and empowerment of an Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) for facilitation of the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector”. It would be possible by converging various schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ministry of Cooperation will implement a pilot project in at least 10 selected districts of different states in the country in order to ensure time bound and uniform implementation of the Plan in a professional manner. The pilot would provide valuable insights into the various regional requirements of the project, the learnings from which will be suitably incorporated for the country-wide implementation of the Plan.

The IMC will be constituted under the Chairmanship of Minister of Cooperation with Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Minister of Food Processing Industries and Secretaries concerned as members to modify guidelines and implementation methodologies.

Regional Office of UPU
The Union Cabinet also approved to establish a regional office of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in New Delhi, India to undertake UPU’s development cooperation and technical assistance activities in the region by entering into an agreement with UPU.

The approval enables India to play active role at multilateral organizations in postal sector with emphasis on South-South and Triangular cooperation. India will provide a Field Project Expert, staff and office set up for UPU’s regional office. Projects on capacity building and trainings, improving efficiency and quality of postal services, enhancement of Postal technology, e-commerce and trade promotion etc will be prepared and implemented for the region by this office in coordination with UPU.

The initiative would help expanding India’s diplomatic footprint and strengthen relations with other countries, specially in Asia-Pacific region and will enhance India’s presence at the global postal forums.