Flurry of decisions likely as polls near

Cabinet to clear several proposals before election code kicks in

- Subhash Narayan, Rituraj Baruah, Gireesh Chandra Prasad & Puja Das

Central ministries are racing to finalize Cabinet notes for key projects under their remit, before the impending announcement of national polls ties the government's hands in making key announcements.

The Election Commission is expected to announce elections to the Lok Sabha shortly, bringing in the model code of conduct that prevents the government from making announcements that may influence voting. The cabinet is expected to clear a flurry of proposals before the announcement, multiple people aware of the matter said.

Digitization of civic services in municipalities, a new interest subsidy scheme for urban housing for the poor and the middle class announced in the budget, a ₹43,700 crore trans-shipment terminal at Great Nicobar island, and digitally connecting agencies in the debt resolution ecosystem are among key proposals awaiting cabinet nod.

Major decisions are expected in the areas of infrastructure and public service. The proposal for the International Container Transshipment Terminal in Great Nicobar Island that the cabinet will consider is under the public-private partnership model, one of the persons quoted above said on condition of anonymity. The aim is to get this project off the ground and invite bids in the first quarter of the next fiscal year after the cabinet approval, the person said.