Cabinet Clears Simultaneous Polls, ₹1.8 Trillion Allocated for Welfare and Space Projects

Cabinet Clears Simultaneous Polls, ₹1.8 Trillion Allocated for Welfare and Space Project

The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a proposal for holding simultsaneous elections at the central, state, and local levels, marking a significant step toward streamlining the electoral process in India. The decision follows recommendations by a high-level panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The elections will be conducted in two stages, with central and state polls held first, followed by local body elections within 100 days of the national polls.

The Cabinet’s decision also includes the creation of a common electoral roll and the formation of an implementation group to oversee the execution. According to Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, widespread support for the proposal was noted after extensive consultations with political parties and experts.

However, the plan has faced resistance from opposition parties, notably the Congress. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a social media post, reiterated the party’s opposition to simultaneous polls. He shared a letter from party president Mallikarjun Kharge, which questioned the necessity of such a system, pointing out that the cost of holding the 2014 Lok Sabha election was just ₹3,870 crore, a figure that, according to the party, is a reasonable price for maintaining the democratic process.

In addition to the electoral reforms, the government has rolled out a ₹1.8 trillion package aimed at bolstering key sectors. These funds will be allocated to ensure subsidized fertilizers for farmers, support backward and tribal-majority regions through the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, and advance India’s space ambitions, including manned missions to the Moon and Venus.

A significant portion of the spending will also focus on developing a partially reusable launch vehicle, further cementing India’s growing role in the global space industry.