Union Cabinet greenlights Ujjwala scheme, eCourts expansions

The Union Cabinet, in its Wednesday meeting, took critical decisions that will have far-reaching effects on the Ujjwala scheme, the judiciary’s digital infrastructure, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Under the PM Ujjwala scheme, 75 lakh more beneficiaries will receive LPG connections over the next three years, a project costing Rs 1,650 crore, revealed Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur. Beneficiaries will also receive a free first refill and stove. This comes on the heels of a substantial Rs 200 price cut on LPG cylinders, which sees the effective price for Ujjwala beneficiaries in Delhi drop to Rs 703 per cylinder.
Turning to the judiciary, the third phase of the eCourts program will launch with a financial outlay of Rs 7,210 crore. The initiative promises a unified technology platform creating a paperless interface between courts, litigants, and stakeholders, facilitating virtual court proceedings to minimise travel expenses for all involved. The eSewa Kendras will ensure access to judicial services for those lacking technology at home, working towards reducing the digital divide.
In the pharmaceutical sector, a significant foreign direct investment (FDI) from Cyprus-based Berhyanda Limited in Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited was greenlit. The approval allows the acquisition of up to 76.1% of equity shares, potentially increasing to 90.1%. This move followed the detailed examination and approval from several regulatory bodies including SEBI, RBI, and CCI, as per the existing FDI policy.
All these developments reflect the government’s concerted efforts to promote welfare, enhance judicial efficiency through technological integration, and foster economic growth through international collaborations. It remains to be seen how these decisions will shape the respective sectors in the forthcoming years.