NEWS

When PM Modi attended a virtual ceremony on Thursday to lay the foundation stone of four medical colleges in Rajasthan, CM Ashok Gehlot put forward a list of development works he wanted for the state. “This shows he trusts me, despite our different political ideologies,” said Modi, calling Gehlot a “good friend”.

“Rajasthan CM, while speaking, put forward a list of works. I thank him for the trust he has reposed in me. We follow different political ideologies. Yet he spoke about it open-heartedly because he trusts me. This friendship, and the trust and faith, are the biggest strength of a democracy,” said Modi. He laid the foundation stones in Dausa, Hanumangarh, Banswara and Sirohi and inaugurated the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology in Jaipur.

Giving a fillip to the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Wednesday approved the procurement of military hardware worth Rs 13,165 crore, including 25 indigenously-developed ALH Mark-III helicopters and rocket ammunition. “The Defence Ministry has approved the procurement of military hardware worth Rs 13,165 crore. The procurement of military hardware approved by the ministry includes 25 advanced light helicopters and rocket ammunition,” officials were quoted as saying by a news agency.

he cost of acquiring the helicopters has been estimated at Rs 3,850 crore, while a batch of rocket ammunition will be procured for Rs 4,962 crore, the defence ministry said.

As the Congress grapples to stabilize its Punjab unit and prepare for the upcoming polls, the G23 leaders launched a fresh salvo on Wednesday. Party veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad wrote to interim president Sonia Gandhi seeking a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting to discuss the Punjab and Goa situation as well as the “mass exodus” in the organization.

Another old warhorse, Kapil Sibal, demanded “open dialogue” and introspection, questioning the lack of clarity in the decision-making process.

Sibal, a key participant of the G23 or the group that wrote to Sonia in 2019 seeking sweeping changes, reminded the party, “we are G23 but not ‘ji huzoor 23’”.

Stressing upon the critical role of Covid-19 vaccines in protection against death, health ministry data show that in the first seven weeks of the second wave of the pandemic, the 60-plus age group reported about 121 weekly deaths per million among the non-vaccinated, 2.6 weekly deaths per million among those who had received their first dose, and 1.76 weekly deaths per million among those who were fully vaccinated.

The data, being collated for a vaccine tracker which is to be launched soon, is significant, especially in the backdrop of public health experts expressing concern over a possible surge in cases following the festival season in October. Moreover, about 24 per cent of the estimated 60-plus population, identified as the most vulnerable group, are still unvaccinated.

According to the latest data, 10.09 crore persons in the 60 years and above category have got their first dose, and 5.58 crore are fully vaccinated.