Women to be given 33% reservation in state government jobs, says Home Minister Shah

Picture credit: ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (March 21) addressed a public rally in West Bengal's Bankura. The rally was held in Tilabedya Maidan near Bankura University in the poll-bound state. The BJP leader is going to address four rallies in the poll-bound state in the next 10 days.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also unveiled its election manifesto on Sunday. The manifesto was revealed by party leader Amit Shah, who will also be addressing a rally in the state today. 

In other developments, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee addressed three rallies, as a part of the upcoming assembly elections campaign, in West Bengal today. 

Additionally, India in the past 24 hours recorded 43,846 new COVID-19 cases, according to the official data of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The sudden recent surge in coronavirus cases has taken the country's active count to more than 3 lakh. There were also 22,956 COVID-19 recoveries and 197 deaths on Saturday.

As per the official data, India has witnessed a total of 1,15,99,130 infections, of which, 3,09,087 are still active. More than 1.1 crore people have recovered, whereas, over 1.59 have succumbed to the virus. The fresh surge is reportedly the highest in 112 days. 

22 March 2021

00:04 IST

Tamil Nadu: Two officers deputed on election duties in Virudhunagar district have tested positive for COVID-19, says the district collector

20:57 IST

NCP top brass meeting underway in Delhi in backdrop of Param Bir Singh's letter.

19:31 IST

Mansukh Hiren's death case has been solved, says DIG Maharashtra ATS Shivdeep Lande. 

Suspended Mumbai Police constable Vinayak Shinde and Naresh Dhare, a bookie were arrested in connection with the death earlier today.

19:07 IST

We will establish a Sonar Bangla fund worth Rs 11,000 crores which will promote art, literature and other such sectors: Union Home Minister

19:06 IST

We will work with the Central Government to ensure efforts are made at the international level to make Bengali one of the official languages in the United Nations: Home Minister in Kolkata

19:05 IST

We will constitute an SIT to investigate cases of political killings & take strict action against those responsible. We'll provide upto Rs 25 lakhs as a rehabilitation package to each of the victims of political violence in West Bengal: HM Amit Shah

18:50 IST

We will constitute the following separate Task Forces to curb the problem of arms racketeering, unchecked narcotics trade, land grabbing, fake currency circulation and cattle smuggling: HM Shah in Kolkata.

18:42 IST

We will start Common Eligibility Test for all state government jobs to keep a check on corruption: Home Minister.

18:39 IST

Three new AIIMS hospitals will be built in North Bengal, Jangalmahal and Sundarban so that locals don't have to travel to Kolkata to avail healthcare facilities: Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah.

18:38 IST

We have decided that no infiltrators to be allowed in Bengal and border fencing will be strengthened: HM Amit Shah.

18:29 IST

Continuing PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Rs 18,000, which Mamata didi didn't give to farmers since 3 years, would be transferred to 75 lakh farmers' bank accounts without any cut: Home Minister Amit Shah.

18:28 IST

Women to be given 33% reservation in state government jobs: Home Minister.

18:17 IST

We have decided to call our manifesto a 'Sankalp Patra'. It is not just a manifesto but a resolution letter for West Bengal by the country's largest party: Home Minister Amit Shah.

18:15 IST

Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah releases BJP's manifesto for West Bengal Election 2021.

17:47 IST

"BJP party means Bharatiya Joghonno (bad) Party. I was Lok Sabha MP seven times and I have seen many prime ministers. But I have never seen such a ruthless, cruel PM. BJP is a party of monsters, demons, Ravana, Duryodhana, Dushasana, unrest & terror," West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Nandakumar.

17:23 IST

Visitors entering Rajasthan from March 25 will have to carry a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours. Primary schools to remain closed till further order.

17:23 IST

Markets to remain closed after 10 pm from March 22 in areas under all city municipal corporations. Night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am to be imposed in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Sagwara and Kushalgarh: Rajasthan Government

17:08 IST

PM Modi thanked the people for their warm welcome in Bankura

Thank you Bankura for the affection. Watch my speech at the rally. https://t.co/ltblZ18srN

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2021

16:44 IST

"Didi is already asking questions on EVM. It's the same EVM that kept her in power for 10 years. She is already witnessing her defeat in the upcoming elections. Every person in Bengal must exercise their power to vote without any fear," said Prime Minister Modi.

16:41 IST

To get corruption-free systems, it is important to bring BJP government. To give top priority to development, BJP government is necessary for Bengal: PM Narendra Modi

16:39 IST

"The more I question Didi, the angrier she gets. Now she says that she doesn't like my face. Didi, in democracy, it is the public service & not the face which is put to test," said PM Narendra Modi at Bankura.

16:31 IST

Didi, if you want you can put your foot on my head & kick me. But Didi, I will not let you kick Bengal's development and dreams of its people: PM Narendra Modi in Bankura.

16:23 IST

Didi's people are making graffiti in the streets of Bengal wherein she is hitting my head with her foot & playing football. Didi, why are you insulting Bengal's culture and traditions?: PM Modi in Bankura.

16:20 IST

Didi, you have only made hollow announcements in the last 10 years, where is the work you claim to have done? You keep saying 'Khela Hobe' while people of West Bengal have decided 'Khela Shesh Hobe' (the game will end): Prime Minister Modi

16:19 IST

"I think that you people have decided to compete with Brigade Ground. As far as I can see, I can only see people...," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

16:18 IST

The picture of Bankura today is witness that people of Bengal have decided on May 2, 'didi jacche ashol poriborton ashche, ashol poriborton anche...': PM Narendra Modi in Bankura.

16:08 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Bankura, will address a rally shortly.

13:44 IST

We are giving a solid fight, we are very confident. Our effort is to talk about development, needs of the people of Assam and preserving and strengthing their culture and identity: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in Jorhat, on upcoming Assam assembly elections

13:34 IST

Has the PM ever visited a tea garden, met women workers there? Doesn't the PM feel their pain as his promise of giving Rs 350 per day as a daily wage to tea garden workers has not been fulfilled yet?: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in Jorhat, Assam

Has the PM ever visited a tea garden, met women workers there? Doesn't the PM feel their pain as his promise of giving Rs 350 per day as a daily wage to tea garden workers has not been fulfilled yet?: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in Jorhat, Assam pic.twitter.com/cz68RZFpjE

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2021

13:00 IST

"Save Bengal from atrocities, we are with you, our family is with you. Jai Siya Ram, Jai Bharat," says BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's father, Sisir Adhikari, at Home Minister Amit Shah's rally at Egra, West Bengal.

12:58 IST

Our 130 cadres were killed. Goons of TMC shouldn't think that they will be spared. We will take action when our government comes to power in West Bengal on May 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a rally in Egra, West Bengal

Our 130 cadres were killed. Goons of TMC shouldn't think that they will be spared. We will take action when our government comes to power in West Bengal on May 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a rally in Egra, West Bengal pic.twitter.com/BN08wYpAD5

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2021

12:45 IST

Fishermen will also receive an yearly help of Rs 6,000 from a BJP govt. We will also work on skill development in the region full of gold makers. We will also ensure a health cover of Rs 5 lakh for everyone under Ayushman Bharat. The govt employees of West Bengal have not received the 7th Pay Commission. We will implement it as soon as we form the govt. We will also increase salaries of the teachers: Amit Shah in West Bengal

12:43 IST

Today I have come to tell you on this land of Egra in this corner of Bengal, for 37 years you elected the government of the Communists and then you chose the government of Didi. But it did not benefit Bengal: Amit Shah in West Bengal

@AmitShah #BanglayAscheBJP

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 21, 2021

12:42 IST

TMC leader Sisir Adhikari is present at Amit Shah’s public meeting in West Bengal.

12:36 IST

Union Home Minister and BJP leader AmitShah addresses public meeting in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal.

HM Shri @AmitShah addresses public meeting in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. #BanglayAscheBJP https://t.co/V0B01rI22V

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 21, 2021

12:26 IST

When Congress was in power at the Centre and in Assam, there was double negligence and double corruption. You have to remember that Congress means instability, corruption. They have no vision or intention to do any good: PM Modi at Bokakhat, Assam

12:25 IST

PM Narendra Modi at Bokakhat: The NDA govt has put the rhino hunters in jails. We're working on both safety of animals as well as facilities for the people of Assam.

12:25 IST

PM Modi: In the last 5 years, Assam has witnessed a growth in forest cover. It increases the opportunities for tourism and economic activities. We want India to be included in one of the leading nations in natural, spiritual, cultural and heritage tourisms, and Assam has all of this.

12:15 IST

PM Narendra Modi at a public rally in Bokakhat, Assam: 'Doosri baar, BJP sarkar.'

@narendramodi pic.twitter.com/i5LiVP4Jdu

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 21, 2021

PM's comments came ahead of the Assam Assembly polls, where the Bharatiya Janata Party will seek its second tenure.

12:14 IST

PM Modi: During Congress' reign, the main question was to save the loot of Assam from Congress. Under the NDA, Assam is heading to touch new highs.

12:12 IST

PM Modi highlights NDA's double-engine government's works in Assam, attacks Congress.

12:08 IST

PM Narendra Modi starts his address at Assam's Bokakhat.

"Overwhelming support for NDA," he expressed.

Speaking in Bokakhat. Overwhelming support for NDA! https://t.co/iP7tgplDXM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2021

12:05 IST

Health Sect Rajesh Bhushan has written to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary strongly highlighting the concerns raised by the high-level central team in its visit to Uttarakhand and about the need for stringent measures to control the spread of COVID19 during Kumbh Mela: Govt of India

12:05 IST

Health Secretary also noted that as per the report of the Central Team, 10-20 pilgrims and 10-20 locals are being reported positive every day. The State has been informed that daily testing numbers reported in Haridwar are not enough: Government of India

12:03 IST

PM Narendra Modi to address a rally in Assam's Bokakhat shortly.

Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a public rally at Bokakhat, shortly pic.twitter.com/kSuGGUksMB

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2021

11:07 IST

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee will address three rallies, as a part of the upcoming assembly elections campaign, in West Bengal today. 

TMC leader is likely to address rallies in Kanthi Uttar, Kanthi Dakshin and Nandakumar at 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 pm respectively. 

11:06 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (March 21) will address a public rally in West Bengal's Bankura. The rally is going to be held in Tilabedya Maidan near Bankura University in the poll-bound state. The BJP leader is going to address four rallies in the poll-bound state in the next 10 days.

11:05 IST

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also scheduled to unveil its election manifesto at around 5:30 pm on Sunday. The manifesto will be revealed by party leader Amit Shah, who will also be addressing a rally in the state today.

10:50 IST

Nagpur: Bharatiya Janata Party holds protest against Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh

Nagpur: Bharatiya Janata Party holds protest against Maharashtra Minister Anil Deshmukh

COVID19 restrictions have been imposed in the city amid rising cases. pic.twitter.com/jcHRm3rnkc

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2021

10:49 IST

4.2 magnitude earthquake hit 77km southeast of Mokokchung, Nagaland at 1006 hours: National Center for Seismology

10:49 IST

The planned target of operationalising 70,000 Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres by 31st March 2021 has been realised ahead of time. About 41.35 crore people have accessed primary healthcare services at these centres: Government of India

10:48 IST

Siliguri: A team of Special Task Force seized 7 kgs of Cocaine, valued around Rs 7 crores and 20,000 Yuba tablets in the Pradhan Nagar area yesterday; Two persons arrested

10:47 IST

Madhya Pradesh: One-day lockdown imposed in Jabalpur, due to COVID19 surge

The State government has announced that lockdown will be imposed every Sunday in Indore, Bhopal & Jabalpur until further orders pic.twitter.com/7q0IfcBfEv

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2021

10:46 IST

India reports 43,846 new COVID19 cases, 22,956 recoveries and 197 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 1,15,99,130

Total recoveries: 1,11,30,288

Active cases: 3,09,087

Death toll: 1,59,755

Total vaccination: 4,46,03,841