The union government gave nod to an integrated energy policy to ensure the energy security and adequate economic growth in a recent meeting of the union cabinet. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Union home minister, Mr P Chidambaram said that the policy is designed on the basis of suggestion of experts to achieve the desired growth targets. The government would set up a monitoring committee to implement the integrated energy policy under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary. Mr. Chidambaram added that the country needs to sustain the growth rate of 9 per cent to eradicate poverty and overall development of the nation.

The cabinet also approved an amount of Rs 6,000 crore to revamp about 23,000 water bodies in the country over the 11th five year Plan (2007-2112). The water body's restoration scheme would be implemented with the help of the World Bank. It is aimed to provide irrigation facilities to an additional 7.50 lakh hectares.

The government would also set up a National Meat and Poultry Processing Board in Delhi which would be registered under the ministry of food processing industries. Cabinet also approved the restructuring of the Defense Estates Organization to create more posts in Group A and Group B and abolish 674 posts in Group C and D. The restructuring is aimed to satisfy the functional needs of the army, besides re-organizing the territorial jurisdiction of Army Commands.