New Delhi: A new emergency response package worth Rs 23,123 crore to tackle the coronavirus pandemic was announced by the central government on Thursday, following the first meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's revamped cabinet on Thursday.
Announcing the relief aid, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said of the Rs 23,123 crore, Rs 15,000 crore will be given by the Centre while the remaining Rs 8,000 will be the states' contribution. This is aimed at preventing a shortage of medicines, and essential items and will be implemented in nine months. The aid will be used to create a buffer stock of medicines, the minister said.
A day after the major reboot, a number of newly appointed ministers took charge of their assignments, including Mansukh Mandaviya - the new Health Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw - the new Railways and IT minister, and Anurag Thakur - the new Information and Broadcasting minister.
PM Modi unveiled a new council of ministers on Wednesday with unexpected high-profile exits and expected bump-ups for politically meaningful sections in a huge push to revive his government's flagging popularity before key polls.
A number of key portfolios - including health, law, information and technology and railways - have gone to new ministers and junior ministers who were elevated in PM Modi's Council of Ministers that underwent a reboot. The total strength of the Council of Ministers is now 78, including the Prime Minister.
The current reshuffle has boosted the number of cabinet ministers from 21 to 30 and the number of junior ministers from 23 to 45. There are fewer junior ministers with Independent Charge - the figure has dropped from nine to two.
Here are the highlights on PM Modi's Cabinet Reshuffle:
Jul 08, 2021 22:33 (IST)
There Should Be No Space For Complacency: PM Modi At Council Of Ministers Meet
At the Council of Ministers meeting, PM Modi said that over the past few days, pictures and videos of crowded places and people roaming about without masks or social distancing have emerged. This is not a pleasant sight and it should instil a sense of fear in all, sources told NDTV.
"Powered by our Covid warriors and frontline workers, India's fight against the global pandemic is underway with full vigour. We are steadily vaccinating substantial numbers of our nation's population. Testing is also consistently high," he said, sources added.
He added that in such a time, there should be no space for carelessness or complacency. A single mistake will have far-reaching impacts and weaken the fight against Covid.
Jul 08, 2021 21:34 (IST)
New Package Of Over Rs 23,000 Crore Approved To Strengthen Fight Against Covid: PM Modi
"To further strengthen the fight against coronavirus, a new package of over Rs 23,000 crore has been approved. Under this, necessary arrangements like pediatric care units to ICU beds, oxygen storage, ambulances and medicines will be made available in all the districts of the country," PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.
Jul 08, 2021 21:33 (IST)
Important Decisions Taken On Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare: PM Modi
"Important decisions regarding agriculture and farmers' welfare have been taken in the cabinet meeting today. In order to empower the mandis, arrangements have also been made for the use of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund as well as interest subvention on loans," PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.
Jul 08, 2021 19:09 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
We have always respected farmers and dealt with them with patience. We will welcome any proposals from them apart from repealing the law. APMCs will not be dismantled, they will remain. We have told farmers that we are ready to talk and we appeal the farmer leaders to end their agitation: Narendra Tomar
Jul 08, 2021 18:57 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
The package to help prevent a shortage of medicines, and essential items. There is a provision to make paediatric units in 736 districts of the country. Provisions have been made for 20,000 ICU beds, 20% of which will be for children. The package will be implemented in nine months and will be used to create a buffer stock of medicines: Mansukh Mandaviya
Jul 08, 2021 18:56 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
We gave the first Covid package of Rs 15,000 crore in April 2020. The second package has been brought in of over Rs 23,000 crore. This will be given to the state governments - Rs 15,000 crore from the Centre and Rs 8,000 crore from states: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
Jul 08, 2021 18:56 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
APMC's will be able to use Rs 1 lakh crore fund announced in the Union Budget. State governments, cooperative federations will also be considered in the eligibility list for the APMCs. If a person is working on more than 1 project (but not more than 25), he will be given a loan for it: Narendra Tomar
Jul 08, 2021 18:47 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
APMCs will not be dismantled. It will remain even after the three new farm laws are put in effect: Narendra Tomar
Jul 08, 2021 18:46 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
We will amend the Coconut Development Board to increase the productivity of coconut farmers. The Board chief will be a non-administrative person from the field. For executive powers, there will be a CEO. There are two types of members - one from the state and one from the Centre. The number of members from the Centre will be increased to six: Narendra Tomar
Jul 08, 2021 18:40 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
Rs 1 lakh crore Infrastructure Fund was announced last year. This will be distributed through APMCs. Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar will speak on this. Amendments will be made to the Coconut Development Board - a CEO and non-executive Chairman will be appointed. We have taken a big decision on Covid health package. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will speak on this: Anurag Thakur
Jul 08, 2021 18:38 (IST)
Cabinet Briefing
Cabinet has approved proposal to bring APMCs under the ambit of the Agriculture Investment Fund: Anurag Singh Thakur
Jul 08, 2021 18:35 (IST)
Cabinet Overhaul: Three Cabinet Ministers To Address Cabinet Briefing Shortly
New Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and new Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will address the Cabinet briefing today. The briefing will begin shortly.
Jul 08, 2021 16:43 (IST)
Cabinet Overhaul: Anurag Thakur Takes Charge As Information And Broadcasting Minister
Anurag Singh Thakur takes charge as Minister of Information and Broadcasting and as Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
"I am thankful to PM Modi for giving me this responsibility. With the support of Associations, Federations, I will put in my best efforts to take Indian Sports ahead," Mr Thakur told news agency ANI.
Jul 08, 2021 16:09 (IST)
I Am The Real Political Heir Of Ram Vilas Paswan: Pashupati Paras
"I am the real political heir of Ram Vilas Paswan, not Chirag Paswan. According to the law, Chirag Paswan only has right over his father's property. He has gone to court. What will come of that? Being an uncle, I reiterate that Chirag Paswan must introspect and figure out his weakness. I have some qualities of Ram Vilas Paswan," Pashupati Paras said after taking charge as the Food Processing Minister. He is embroiled in a fight with his nephew Chirag Paswan who has been sidelined in the Lok Janshakti Party - founded by Chirag Paswan's father Ram Vilas Paswan - following a coup led by Mr Paras.
