National   

Bodo language to be included in VIII Schedule

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI July 31. The Union Cabinet today decided to include Bodo language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution. It would be the 19 th language to be included in the Schedule.

Announcing the decision, the Government spokesperson said a Bill for the purpose would be brought before Parliament during the current session itself.

The Cabinet, which met here this evening, also decided to set up national and regional environment authorities and consequently wind up the various authorities and committees that have been set up from time to time to deal with different subjects on environment and forestry.

The national authority would be headed by a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court who would be assisted by a Vice-Chairman, two members and a Secretary.

The regional authorities would be set up in Bangalore (for the southern region), Bhopal (central region), Bhubaneswar (eastern region), Shillong (north-eastern region) and Chandigarh (north-western region).The national and regional authorities would have a broad mandate, covering all aspects of environmental protection, conservation and forest management. The national authority would be vested with appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals against orders by the regional authorities.Chaired by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Cabinet meeting also approved a Bill to give effect to the recent announcement of the Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, to allow NABARD (National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development) to directly provide loans to district cooperative banks, with a view to reducing the interest rates on crop loans.

At present, NABARD provides loans to State-level cooperative credit system at an interest rate ranging from 5.5 to seven per cent and these in turn lend to the district units at a rate ranging from 6.25 per cent to 9.5 per cent and they then give loans to primary cooperative societies at a rate of 12 to 15 per cent.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Talks with Pak. on air links on Aug. 27-28
• Advani wants debate on secularism
• BJP, Samata threaten counter-boycott
• Row over CBI tapes on Ayodhya
• Arunachal crisis: BJP denies Cong. charge
• TRAI allows SMS in WLL phones
• Funds to NE States: Centre to contribute more
• Troops leave for Congo
• U.K. addresses India's concerns on acquisition of AJTs
• The VHP had unflinching faith in the Paramhans
• Sinha leaves for Syria, Turkey
• India concerned over outside interventions in Nepal
• Award for Frontline journalist
• Bodo language to be included in VIII Schedule
• Vajpayee, Advani pay tributes to Paramhans

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu