The Union cabinet chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its ex-post facto approval for Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and various countries for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
The MoUs will help in the nature of capacity building, knowledge exchange through visits of scientists and technicians, exchange of genetic resources that aid in development of appropriate technologies and farm practices for enhancing agriculture productivity at farmers' field. Expertise and technology so developed is applied all over the country as per felt needs.
Expenditure incurred on implementation of such MoU is managed within the "financial allocation made for the department.”
Under Transaction of Business Rules, 1961, cases involving negotiations with foreign countries on treaties, agreements and other important matters need to be brought before the cabinet for approval.
Earlier, prior approval under Rule 12 of the above rules was obtained in certain cases and subsequent cabinet approval could not be obtained. Therefore, ex-post-facto approval in respect of MoUs signed with 13 countries namely, the Netherlands, Nepal, Cyprus,Israel,Bangladesh, Cambodia, Tanzania, Surinam, Zambia, Syria, Bhutan, Chile and Mauritius is being obtained.
