Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated to the country multiple infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 4900 crore in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. He also released benefits under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) and other schemes during the programme.

The instalment amount of over Rs 21000 crore under the PM-KISAN was released through direct benefits transfer to beneficiaries. A press release said with this release, an amount of more than 3 lakh crore, has been transferred to more than 11crore farmers’ families.

The Prime Minister also disburse 2^nd and 3^rd instalments of Namo Shetkari MahaSanman Nidhi, worth about Rs 3,800 crore. The scheme provides an additional amount of Rs 6000 per year to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri  Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana in Maharashtra.

The press release said Rs 825 crore of Revolving Fund was released for 5.5 lakh women Self Help Groups (SHGs) across Maharashtra. This amount is additional to the Revolving fund provided by the government of India under National Rural livelihood Mission (NRLM).

The prime minister also distributed 1 crore Ayushman cards and launched the Modi Awaas Gharkul Yojana for the OBC. Rail projects launched by PM Modi included New Ashti Amalner broads gauge line (part of Ahmednagar-Beed-Parli new broad gauge line project) and Wardha-Kalamb broad gauge line (part of Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded new broad gauge line project).

The Prime Minister to virtually flagged off two train service during the programme. This included train services connecting Kalamb and Wardha; and train service connecting Amalner and New Ashti. The new train service will help improve connectivity and benefit students, traders and daily commuters of the region.

Addressing the people of Yavatmal, the prime minister said he bowed down to the land of Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj. He said he also bowed down to Baba Saheb Ambedkar. He said he had received their blessings when he had come for Chai pe Charcha 10 years ago.

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, her daughters and businessman Hridyanand Chaudhary in connection with the alleged Lands for Jobs scam. Earlier on February 9, the Delhi Court had granted interim bail to Chaudhary, Rabri Devi and her daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav in connection with the Land-for-jobs scam case till February 28.

The Delhi court granted bail on a bond of Rs 1 lakh and a Surety Bond in the same amount. All the four accused had given regular bail applications on February 9, after they had appeared before the court responding to the summons sent to them.

The investigation had been started by Enforcement directorate (ED) against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family in the case based on an FIR registered by CBI which alleged that Yadav who was the Railway minister at the time was involved in corruption while appointing Group D substitutes in Indian Railways during 2004-2009.

Lalu has been accused of obtaining land in the name of family members in exchange of jobs in Group D posts in various railway zones. According to ED, a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court had earlier issued notices against Hridyanand Chaudhary, Rabri Devi, Amit Katyal, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav to appear for further trial in the alleged land-for-jobs scam on February 9.

Lalu’s kin along with Amit Katyal ( a businessman with alleged ties to Lalu’s family members) and Hridyanand Chaudhary (former employee at Rabri Devi’s Gaushala) had been accused of acquiring property from one of the candidates.

According to the ED, AK Infocom, a company formed by Amit Katyal, allegedly bought many land plots, one of which was found in connection to the land for job offence. Fresh summons were issued by ED to Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejaswi Yadav on January 19.

The founder and Chairperson of Bharti Airtel Limited, Sunil Bharti Mittal was awarded the honorary knighthood by King Charles III in the United Kingdom. Sunil Bhati Mittal is the first Indian to receive a Knighthood from King Charles. 

He was awarded the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Notably, KBE is among the highest honours conferred by the British Sovereign to civilians, foreign nationals.

Reacting to the win, Sunil Bharti Mittal expressed that he is deeply humbled by this gracious recognition from King Charles. He added that the UK and India have historical relations, which are now entering a new era of increased cooperation and collaboration. 

He said that he remains committed to working towards strengthening the economic and bilateral trade relationships between the two great nations. Sunil Bharti Mittal further expressed gratitude to the Government of the UK, whose support and keen attention to the needs of business has been critical in making the country an attractive investment destination.

Bharti Enterprises founder, Sunil Bharti Mittal was conferred with Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour, in 2007. Notably, he also served as Chair of the B20 India Action Council on African Economic Integration during India’s G20 Presidency. In addition, Sunil Bharti Mittal is also a serving Commissioner at the International Telecommunication Union/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. 

Reportedly, Knighthood, the Knight Commander (KBE), is conferred for a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity, usually, but not exclusively, at the national level, or in a capacity recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally and demonstrates sustained commitment.

Ratan Tata, Ravi Shankar and Jamshed Irani are also the recipients of the Honorary KBE. Ratan Tata was bestowed with the honour in 2009, Ravi Shankar and Jamshed Irani was awarded in 2001 and 1997 respectively.