Union Cabinet Decisions: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved key announcements focusing on infrastructure, agricultural products, energy security, and the railway network.

The Cabinet decisions were announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav during a press conference. In a big development, the Centre has greenlighted a Rs 37,500 crore scheme of coal gasification.

Coal gasification project

The project aims to gasify around 75 million tonnes of coal and lignite and attract investments of up to Rs 3 lakh crore, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during a Cabinet briefing.

The project aims to cut India's dependence on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), urea, ammonia and methanol.

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MSP hike for kharif crops

In another major decision for farmers, the Centre has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for 14 kharif crops for Marketing Season 2026-27. The MSP is set at least 50 per cent above the cost of production.

  • Sunflower seed: Rs 8,343
  • Cotton: Rs 8,267
  • Nigerseed: Rs 10,052
  • Sesamum: Rs 10,346
  • Groundnut: Rs 7,517
  • Corn: Rs 2,410
  • Rice: Rs 2,441
  • Jowar: Rs 4,023
  • Bajra: Rs 2,900
  • Ragi: Rs 5,205
  • Maize: Rs 2,4410
  • Arhar: Rs 8,450
  • Moong: Rs 8,780
  • Urad: 8,200

Indigenous semi-high speed rail line

The CCEA also approved the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)-Dholera semi-high-speed double line railway project, the first of the Indian Railways planned with indigenously developed technology.

The semi-high-speed double rail line will be built at a cost of Rs 20,667.

The project section will provide faster connectivity between Ahmedabad, Dholera SIR, the upcoming Dholera Airport and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex (NHMC), a Cabinet statement said.

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Nagpur Airport modernisation

Centre has also approved the Extension of the lease period of the Airports Authority of India (AAI)'s land to MIL (MIHAN India Limited) beyond August 6, 2039.

Based on this, MIL will license GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited (GNIAL) for 30 years since Commercial Operation Date (COD). Vaishnaw said that approval has been given to the upgradation and modernisation of Nagpur International Airport under the PPP mode.