CM Bommai announces scholarship scheme for farmers’ children, hike in pension for senior citizens
Bengaluru, Jul 28: Newly appointed Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday announced a scholarship programme for farmers children and increase in pension for senior citizens, widows and disabled, under social security schemes.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a single member cabinet meeting, after taking office, Bommai said his government is committed to working for the farmers and poorer sections of society."...decisions taken at my first cabinet meeting, is a first step in this direction."
"We are preparing a programme for farmer's children, and have also taken the decision to help the poorer sections with the social security schemes," Bommai said.
Aimed at encouraging higher education among farmers' children and to see to it that they are not deprived of education, a new scholarship programme is being introduced, he said, adding, "it was not there earlier.
"This will cost Rs 1,000 crore, a detailed programme will be drawn for this."
The chief minister has raised the monthly pension for citizens above 65 years from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 under the Sandhya Suraksha scheme, a move that will further increase the governments expenditure by Rs 863.52 crore, and will help 35.98 lakh beneficiaries.
Also widow pension has been increased from Rs 600 to Rs 800, and this will additionally cost Rs 414 crore for the government, and will benefit 17.25 lakh beneficiaries, he said.
Further, under the pension for the disabled, Rs 600 is being given to those with 40-75 per cent disability and it will be increased to Rs 800. This will additionally cost the government Rs 90 crore, and will benefit 3,66,000 beneficiaries, he added.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
