IN A bid to reduce the pendency of rape and child sexual offence cases, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO courts, for another five years till March 31, 2031, with a total financial outlay of Rs 3,788.04 crore. The scheme aims to ensure speedy trials of pending cases relating to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, while reducing the pendency of such cases across the country. The total financial outlay of Rs 3,788.04 crore includes a central share of Rs 2,353.15 crore and a State/Union Territory share of Rs 1,434.89 crore. The central share will be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund. Under the extended scheme, the Government plans to increase the number of functional FTSCs from the existing 779 to 850 across participating States and Union Territories, with additional districts to be identified on the basis of the pendency of rape and POCSO cases. Rs 2,814 cr scheme to promote critical mineral processing The Government on Wednesday approved a Rs 2,814 crore scheme to promote processing of critical minerals such as lithium and nickel.

 

PM MODI HAILS CABINET APPROVALS: IN A major push toward self-reliance in the energy transition and advanced manufacturing sectors, the Union Cabinet has approved the ‘Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing’ with a total financial outlay of Rs 2,814 crore over five years. Addressing the strategic necessity of domestic infrastructure in a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that India cannot afford to depend on foreign nations for the refined materials that power the nation’s future. “Do you feel India should depend on other countries for processing the critical minerals that power our future? I certainly don’t! Rs 14,500 crore scheme for 92 GWh battery energy storage systems The Union Cabinet approved Rs 14,500 crore in viability gap funding for 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage systems between FY27 and FY31. This development is significant given India’s ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. The scheme is aimed at supporting the development of 92 GWh storage capacity across three technologies -- Battery Energy Storage System (30 GWh), Pumped Storage Projects (60 GWh) and Emerging Storage Technologies (2GW), Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a media briefing here.