THE HEADLINES:
- Union Cabinet approves continuation of subsidy for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana consumers for the year 2025-26 with estimated cost of over 12 thousand crore rupees.
- Government approves special development package for Assam and Tripura with an outlay of four thousand 250 crore rupees.
- About 275 government and government-aided technical institutions in the country to get budgetary support with an outlay of four thousand 200 crore rupees to improve quality in technical education.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin; Both leaders review progress in bilateral agenda and reaffirm commitment to further deepen India-Russia Special Strategic Partnership.
- And, relief and rescue operations continue on a war footing in disaster affected Dharali area of Uttarakhand; More than 600 people airlifted to safer places so far.
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The government has approved the continuation of targeted subsidies for the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana consumers for the year 2025-26 with the estimated cost of over 12 thousand crore rupees. Briefing media in New Delhi today about the Cabinet decision taken under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, over 10 crore 33 lakh households have been benefited under the scheme.
The Minister said that the government has also approved compensation amounting to 30 thousand crore rupees to the three Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies.
Mr. Vaishnaw also informed that the government has given its nod for the budgetary support for the Multidisciplinary Education and Research improvement in Technical Education scheme with an outlay of four thousand 200 crore rupees. He said, the objective of the scheme is to improve the quality, equity and governance in technical education. An estimated 275 government and government-aided technical institutions are expected to be selected and supported under the scheme.
The government also approved four new components under the existing central sector scheme of special development packages for Assam and Tripura with a total outlay of four thousand 250 crore rupees.
Construction of four lane Marakkanam to Puducherry highways in Tamilnadu, has also been approved with a total cost of two thousand 157 crore rupees.
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Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah today strongly criticised RJD Chief Lalu Prasad and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Roll in Bihar. Addressing a public meeting at Punauradham in Sitamarhi this afternoon, Mr. Shah alleged that by opposing the SIR, these opposition leaders are favouring intruders for vote bank politics. He said that the SIR held by the Election Commission of India is a corrective measure for healthy democracy.
Earlier Mr. Shah laid the foundation stone and performed Bhumi Pujan for the new Mata Janki Temple at Punauradham in Sitamarhi in Bihar which will be completed at a cost of more than 883 crore rupees in a sprawling area of 67 acres.
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Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament today were disturbed by the opposition parties’ protest over the issue of the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar, leading to the adjournment of the House for the day.
In the Lok Sabha, when the House reassembled at 3 in the afternoon, opposition parties’ MPs trooped into the well, raising slogans over the SIR issue. The Presiding Officer urged the protesting members to vacate the well and go back to their seats.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the motion to withdraw the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 which was approved by the House. Amid pandemonium, the Chair adjourned the House for the day.
Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes. The Presiding Officer tried to run the Question Hour, but the opposition members continued with their sloganeering. Amid noisy scenes, the Chair adjourned the House for the day.
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The Election Commission today dismissed the news circulating on various social media platforms, claiming that the poll body had removed the e-voter rolls of many states from its website overnight. The Commission said that this news is fake. It added that anyone can download the electoral rolls for any of the 36 States and Union Territories through the website voters.eci.gov.in.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a detailed conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin briefed him on the latest developments concerning Ukraine. While thanking President Putin for his detailed assessment, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position for the peaceful resolution of the conflict. Both leaders also reviewed the progress in the bilateral agenda and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Mr Modi invited President Putin to India later this year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
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China has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the summit will be a gathering of solidarity and friendship, with participation from over 20 countries.
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The Defence Ministry today rejected the news reports claiming that India paused the talks related to defence purchases with the United States. In a statement, the Ministry said, these reports are false and fabricated. It further clarified that the various cases of procurement are being progressed as per the extant procedures.
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Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi today said the Prasar Bharati is working towards minimising possible entry barrier to the audience and ensuring the widest possible access to information, education and entertainment. He said this on the launch of magazine store on Waves OTT Platform in New Delhi today. Mr Dwivedi said that users can subscribe this service at 99 rupees per month or 999 rupees per year.
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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a notice to the makers of the Marathi film ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’ after receiving multiple complaints over its portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Some organisations in Maharashtra have objected to the film, calling it historically distorted, and have demanded a ban. The Ministry issued a notice to the makers yesterday, asking them to provide evidence supporting the story, citing multiple complaints received.
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In Uttarakhand, relief and rescue operations are continuing on a war footing in the disaster-affected Dharali area of Uttarkashi district today.Central and state government agencies are engaged in providing relief to the affected and searching for the missing people as well as restoring basic facilities. So far, more than 600 people have been airlifted to Uttarkashi and Dehradun. Our correspondent reports that over 250 people were sent from Harsil to Matli today.
“Relief operations continued for the fourth day today in disaster-hit Dharali. Teams from the central and state governments are actively involved in the mission. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been staying in Uttarkashi for the past three days to oversee the rescue operation. Today, he visited the Dharali area and met with the stranded people. The Chief Minister stated that the state government is fully committed to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
Meanwhile, power supply has been restored in the affected area. With communication networks also being restored, the local people have received some much-needed relief. In addition, efforts are underway at a war footing to repair damaged roads in several locations. Relief materials, drinking water, medicines and food grains are being delivered to the affected area by helicopters. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Dehradun.”
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A spell of rainfall has occurred in most parts of Himachal Pradesh, including the state capital Shimla, and the monsoon is expected to intensify in the coming days. The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has issued yellow and orange alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the state until August 14.
“Since this afternoon, several areas including Shimla have been receiving rainfall. The Meteorological Centre Shimla has issued a warning for heavy rainfall at isolated places in nine districts, Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan of the state over the next few hours. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, one national highway and 357 connectivity roads across the state are currently closed to traffic. Additionally, 599 power transformers and 177 drinking water supply schemes have been affected. As per reports, the death toll due to rain-related incidents during this monsoon season has risen to 208, while 37 people are still reported missing. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.”
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The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh tomorrow. Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is also expected over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry tomorrow.
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In China, seven people have died following a rain-induced landslide in Dayuan Village, Baiyun District of Guangzhou. Local authorities reported that 14 residents were trapped and several homes were damaged. The incident comes amid warnings of multiple typhoons and flood risks across China in August, raising concerns about the growing impact of extreme weather.
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In Ladakh, under the theme “Har Ghar Tiranga – Har Ghar Swachhta: Swatantrata ka Utsav, Swachhta ke Sang”, a special cleanliness and awareness campaign was launched in Zanskar today. The programme was flagged off by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Zanskar, Mohammad Hassan. Officers and officials of the subdivision, along with members of the Merchant Association, Contractor Association, Buddhist Association and others actively took part in it.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- Union Cabinet approves continuation of subsidy for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana consumers for the year 2025-26 with estimated cost of over 12 thousand crore rupees.
- Government approves special development package for Assam and Tripura with an outlay of four thousand 250 crore rupees.
- About 275 government and government-aided technical institutions in the country to get budgetary support with an outlay of four thousand 200 crore rupees to improve quality in technical education.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin; Both leaders review progress in bilateral agenda and reaffirm commitment to further deepen India-Russia Special Strategic Partnership.
- And, relief and rescue operations continue on a war footing in disaster affected Dharali area of Uttarakhand; More than 600 people airlifted to safer places so far.
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