12 islands of Andaman and Nicobar selected for high impact projects: PM Modi

High-speed broadband connectivity to aid people of Andaman and Nicobar: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 09 said that high-speed broadband connectivity which will be launched will aid people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. "I am sure that high-speed broadband connectivity that will be launched tomorrow will help people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to have a virtual connect with other parts of the country. Everyone will be able to avail the benefits of all kinds of online services, amid pandemic," said Modi.

PM Modi interacts with BJP workers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 09 virtually interacted with BJP workers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. BJP president JP Nadda also joined the interactive session. Addressing the gathering Prime Minister said, "Be it pandemic or any other problems, we all have to work together and stay connected with the people. We have to provide assistance to all."

Import ban on defence items indicates India's manufacturing capability: Ex-DRDO DG

NITI Aayog member and former Director-General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Vijay Kumar Saraswat on August 09 hailed the step taken by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to impose import embargo on 101 defence items. "It is a very major initiative of GOI and particularly the Ministry of Defence in line with the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the country self reliant under Aatmanirbhar Bharat," said VK Saraswat. He added that the list of 101 equipments which have been given today will indicate the capability of the country to manufacture, design and develop. "The initiative taken by the Centre certainly goes a long way in promoting the development, production and indigenizing of the capability which exist in the country today."

Rs 1 lakh crore: To counter Covid slowdown, PM Modi launches agri infra fund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an Agriculture Infrastructure Fund worth Rs 1 lakh crore to boost services related to the primary sector. The launch was done amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic slowdown exacerbated due to the lockdown. Although commentators say that the agriculture sector doesn't seem to have suffered as much as some of the others, reverse migration to villages has increased employment worries. PM Modi said that the fund would help boost infrastructure like cold storage chains which would also provide employment. He also released the sixth instalment of the Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Samman Nidhi. Rs 17,000 crore was transferred to 8.5 crore farmer families 'in the blink of an eye', as per the Prime Minister. The scheme was announced in the February 2019 Budget and launched retrospectively from December 2018 to provide direct monetary help to farmers. Its scope was expanded after Narendra Modi returned to power in May 2019. The PM said that Rs 22,000 crore was released under the PM-KISAN scheme even during the lockdown necessitated due to the Covid pandemic. Watch the full video for more.

'Tampered PM Modi photo' charge at Congress leader, FIR over BJP complaint

An Indian National Congress party leader was booked by Madhya Pradesh police over a complaint by a Bharatiya Janata Party leader. Jitu Patwari was booked for allegedly posting a 'tampered' photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The post contained an image of the Prime Minister conducting 'bhumi pujan' or ground-breaking at the Ram temple site in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya on August 5. Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) over a complaint by BJP's Gaurav Randive. He accused Patwari of igniting public passions and tampering photographs. The police mentioned Indian Penal Code Sections 464 and 181 which refer to making a false document and statement. Watch the full video for more.

50,000 ventilators available, 20,000 in pipeline under PM CARES Fund: JP Nadda

BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda on August 09 informed that 50,000 ventilators are available in India and 20,000 ventilators are in pipeline under PM CARES Fund. "Today, we have 1400 COVID-19 hospitals across the country. There are around 50,000 ventilators available, while 20,000 ventilators under PM CARES Fund are in pipeline," said Nadda during virtual meeting with BJP workers.