A Centrally sponsored cyclone risk mitigation scheme will be implemented in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa to minimise the vulnerability to cyclones.

It will also make people and infrastructure disaster resilient. The first phase of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), which will be implemented at an estimated cost of over 1496 crore rupees, was approved by the Cabinet on Thursday.

The project is expected to benefit over eleven lakh people in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The NCRMP will be implemented in all 13 cyclone prone states and union territories in three phases.

In another decision the Cabinet approved setting up of power generation schemes with a target of one lakh Megawatt for the 12th Five Year plan. Proposal for a new policy for allocation of power to be generated by upcoming state-run thermal power plants earmarking 50 per cent to the home states was also approved by the Cabinet.

The proposal pertains to 14 power projects of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) coming up during 12th and 13th Plan and all thermal plants of central public sector undertakings.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to the proposal of power ministry to amend the Power Tariff policy. This provides for non conventional sources of Energy generation including co generation.