Cabinet approves setting up of National Investment Board

The Union Cabinet has cleared way for setting up of National Investment Board (NIB). It has been renamed as Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) and will be chaired by prime minister and comprise members from various ministries. “The Cabinet has given an in-principle approval to the committee on December 13. It will take a week’s time to decide on its members and function. We will put up the details on our website by next week,” says K L Sharma, joint secretary in the Cabinet secretariat.

Centre launches bio-toilets to curb open defecation

In a major step meant to eliminate open defecation, the Central government has decided to build 100,000 bio-digester toilets in the country in the next two years. The initiative will be part of the Centre’s flagship programme, total sanitation mission. The target is to be achieved through collaboration between the department of drinking water and sanitation under Union ministry of rural development and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Can the National Water Policy do away with priorities?

M Dinesh Kumar executive director Institute for Resource Analysis and Policy (IRAP)

National Water Policy, 2012 silent on priorities

The Union Ministry of Water Resources recently uploaded the draft of the new national water policy on its website, inviting comments and objections from the public. Water resources minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the policy, under preparation since 2010, is being framed with a “participatory approach”.