Page 164 - Narendra Modi

2013 Patna blasts: HC commutes death sentences of 4 to 30 years in jail

The Patna High Court on Wednesday commuted the death sentences of four persons convicted for the 2013 serial blasts in Patna that targeted the inaugural rally of Narendra Modi, who was then the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, in Bihar. A division bench comprising Justices Ashutosh Kumar and Jitendra Kumar disposed of the Death Reference moved by state government on the order of a special NIA court, and ruled that the four convicts shall serve "30 years in prison". In October 2021, the trial court convicted nine persons in total, sentencing two to life imprisonment, two others to 10 years in jail each, and one to seven years in prison, while acquitting one of the accused. In a 63-page order, the High Court said for Imtiyaz Alam, Haider Ali, Numan Ansari, and Mujibullah Ansari, a 30-year prison sentence "would suffice and would meet the ends of justice." Incidentally, Alam, Ali and Mujibullah Ansari are also serving life sentence in Bodh Gaya serial blasts of July, 2013. The court

Govt gives nod to Ayushman health insurance to all citizens aged 70, above

In a move that will benefit 4.5 crore families, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The coverage aims to benefit six crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families with Rs five lakh free health insurance cover. Eligible beneficiaries will be issued a new distinct card under the scheme, the government said.

Govt approves Rs 10,900 cr PM E-DRIVE scheme to push electric mobility

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the PM E-Drive Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for two years to boost adoption of electric vehicles in India, replacing the flagship FAME programme that ran for nine years till March. The decision on PM Electric Drive Revolution In Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme was taken at the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters here. The scheme will support 24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers, 3.16 lakh e-three wheelers, and 14,028 e-buses. The PM E-DRIVE will also support 88,500 charging sites, Vaishnaw said. The new scheme offers subsidies/demand incentives worth Rs 3,679 crore to incentivise adoption of electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging elecric vehicles (EVs). A sum of Rs 4,391 crore has also been provided for procurement of 14,028 e-buses by state transport undertaking

PM Modi at Semicon India 2024, Er Rashid gets bail, Pannun backs Rahul Gandhi & other

Hindenburg Research criticised Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch for silence over emerging issues after Congress accused her of holding a 99% stake in consultancy firm Agora Advisory.

PM expresses gratitude in letter to retired Sreejesh, backs him as jr coach

Retired Indian hockey star P R Sreejesh has shared a letter that he received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently in which the leader has lauded the former goalkeeper for his service to the game and expressed confidence in his ability to be "impactful" as the new national junior coach. Sreejesh called time on his illustrious 15-year career after India's bronze-winning Paris Olympic campaign, which was the his and the team's second successive Games medal after the bronze in Tokyo. Known as 'The Wall' for his impeccable skills in front of the goalpost, Sreejesh was instrumental in guiding the team through remarkable successes, including two Asian Games gold medals, and two Champions Trophy silver medals. Following his retirement, Hockey India appointed Sreejesh as the head coach of the junior men's team and he vowed to make India a "powerhouse in hockey". Confident of Sreejesh's impact as junior team coach, PM Modi wrote: "I am sure your work in the new role will be as impactfu

NXP Semiconductors to invest over $1 bn in India as it boosts R&D efforts

Chipmaking is still at nascent stage in India, but is crucial element of its economic strategy, with $10 bn incentive package allocated to bolster efforts to rival global chipmakers like Taiwan

Watch: PM Modi attends inauguration of SEMICON India 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited an exhibition at Semicon India 2024 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Govt to get Semicon 2.0 policy in place in 3-4 months: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The government has started working on the second phase of the semiconductor policy, Semicon 2.0, which is expected to be in place in 3-4 months, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. Speaking at SEMICON India 2024, the minister said 3-4 states have attracted semiconductor investments, and one unit will soon come up in Uttar Pradesh. "We are now at a stage when first stage of semicon project is completed. Now we are formulating Semicon 2.0 which will be an expanded form of Semicon 1.0. It will take us 3-4 months to put it in place," Vaishnaw said.

Dream to have an Indian-made chip in every device in the world: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said resilience of supply chains is critical for the economy as he made a pitch to boost investments in domestic manufacturing of semiconductors -- the foundation of everything from smartphone to EV and AI. Speaking at the SEMICON 2024 conference on the outskirts of the national capital, the Prime Minister said the Covid pandemic showed the importance of the supply chain and underscored the need to act to ward off any disruption. "Resilience of the supply chain is very important," he said. "India is working to create the same in different sectors of the economy." The world witnessed supply shocks during Covid-19, as stringent measures to control the spread of pandemic in China affected the industries and sectors dependent on imports from that country. One of the sectors impacted was chips that form a critical part of every electronic device. Prime Minister showcased India's reformist regime, stable policies and a market that has tasted ...

Climate change imminent, focus on areas like Green Hydrogen needed: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stressed on the need to focus on new areas of energy transition like Green Hydrogen to deal with climate change saying it is not a matter of future rather it calls for an action now. Addressing through a video message the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen India 2024, Modi said, "There is a growing realisation that climate change is not just a matter of the future. The impact of climate change is being felt here and now. The time for action is also here and now." He was of the view that energy transition and sustainability have become central to global policy discourse. He noted that Green Hydrogen is emerging as a promising addition to the world's energy landscape and it can help in decarbonizing industries that are difficult to electrify. Refineries, fertilizers, steel, heavy-duty transportation -- many such sectors will benefit, he pointed out. Green Hydrogen can also act as a storage solution for surplus renewable energy, h

MP govt to organise cleanliness drive from Sept 17 to Oct 2: CM Yadav

The Madhya Pradesh government will launch its 'Swachhata Hi Sewa - 2024 Abhiyan', a cleanliness campaign, from September 17 to mark the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The campaign will continue till October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, state Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said during a meeting on Tuesday. "The campaign will be centered around the idea of 'Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata'. As part of the initiative, activities will be conducted at all levels with the aim of motivating people to imbibe cleanliness in their behaviour," he said. People will be encouraged to do 'shramdaan' (voluntary contribution in physical efforts) to keep their surroundings clean, the CM said. All the ministers should participate in the programmes to be held in their respective districts and make the campaign a success by innovating as per the situation at the local level, he said. Jan Aushadhi Kendras, the outlets that sell generic medicines at affordable prices, will als

India's bid to match rival China's factory heft gets a reality check

Indian Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran said it was inevitable India would need to plug itself into China's supply chains.

Indian democracy broken from last 10 years, now it is fighting back: Rahul

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has alleged that democracy in India for the last 10 years was broken, but now it is fighting back. Gandhi made these remarks on Tuesday while talking to reporters at a news conference here at the National Press Club. I can say to you that Indian democracy for the last 10 years was broken. It's fighting back, but it was broken, Gandhi said. I have seen the government of Maharashtra just being taken away from us. I've seen it with my own eyes. I've watched it, as our legislators have been bought in and hooked off and suddenly became BJP legislators. So Indian democracy has been under attack, has been very badly weakened, and now it's fighting back. And I'm confident that it'll fight back, Gandhi said. If you see the election results, does it give you more hope for a democracy in India? he was asked. Yeah, I mean, it does. But it's not good enough to say that the Indian voter is resilient and knowledgeable. Because the Indian voter is informed by a w

Congress in alignment with Modi govt on major foreign policy issues: Rahul

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has indicated that the Congress party is in alignment with the ruling BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on major foreign policy issues like the relationship with the US, no talks with Pakistan unless the flow of terrorism is stopped, concerns over extremist elements in Bangladesh and Israel. However, Gandhi, 54, was not in sync with Modi's policies on China, as he alleged that Chinese troops had taken control over Indian territory in Ladakh the size of Delhi. At a press conference held on Tuesday at the prestigious National Press Club here, Gandhi supported Modi's policies on Pakistan. Gandhi was on an unofficial four-day trip to the US that concluded Tuesday. Pakistan's instigation of terrorism in our country is holding the two countries back. We are not going to accept Pakistan carrying out terror acts in our country. We're just not going to accept it. And until they keep doing that, there's going to be problems between us, Gandhi said. He

100 days of Modi 3.0: Ministries gear up to share success stories

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the PM had promised the country that a "blueprint" for the first 100 days of the next government was ready

India capable to be trusted partner in semiconductor supply chain: PM Modi

Asserting that democracy and technology together can ensure the welfare of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India has the capability to become a trusted partner in a diversified semiconductor supply chain and assured that the government will follow a predictable and stable policy regime. Prime Minister Modi stated this while chairing the Semiconductor Executives' Roundtable at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. During the meeting, he said that their ideas will not only shape their business but also India's future, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said. Stressing that the coming time will be technology-driven, Modi said semiconductor is the basis of the digital age and the day is not far when the semiconductor industry will be the bedrock for even basic necessities. Prime Minister Modi emphasised that democracy and technology together can ensure the welfare of humanity and India is moving ahead on this path recognising its global responsibilit

News update: Mamata Banerjee invites agitating junior doctors for meeting over RG Kar issue

Latest news updates: Catch all the news developments from around the world here

PM Modi stresses removing hurdles in India's research and innovation

Emphasising the need to set big targets, PM Modi said that research should focus on finding new solutions to existing problems

PM Modi chairs first governing board meeting of newly formed ANRF

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired the first governing board meeting of the newly formed Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), officials said. The meeting of the foundation, which will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction towards scientific research in accordance with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), was attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Senior officials, including the government's principal scientific advisor Ajay Kumar Sood, also participated. The ANRF aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India's universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

Congress accuses PM Modi of allowing Manipur to 'go up in flames'

Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur, Congress Tuesday alleged he allowed the state to "go up in flames" and said he travels all over the globe engaging in "huglomacy" but cannot find time to visit the violence-hit state. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said democracy is a tall order and the rule of law itself has fallen apart in the state. "Here is the non-biological PM telling the people of Manipur that he will do in 15 months what the Congress couldn't do in 15 years," Ramesh said and shared a video of the prime minister speaking at a rally. "Indeed. Within 15 months of getting a decisive mandate from all sections of Manipur's society, he allowed the state to go up in flames," Ramesh said. "It is still burning with no respite in sight. The Supreme Court has declared that there is a breakdown of the constitutional machinery in the state. Yet Mr Narendra Modi is unmoved," he said in a post on X. The prime minister