Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress government in Rajasthan, saying it is denying the small farmers the benefit of the direct cash transfer scheme of his government by not providing a list of those eligible. There should not be politics on such an issue, he said at a public rally. "Rajasthan has not provided list of farmers for the scheme launched by the Centre. Welfare of poor and farmers is the priority of our government but it is sad that schemes meant for them are subjected to politics," he said. "You should not worry. We are after them and will make sure that they submit the list and the benefits reach the farmers," the prime minister said referring to the recently launched PM Kisan Samman Yojna. "The first instalment of Rs 2,000 was transferred to the bank accounts of more than one crore farmers of the country under the PM Kisan Sammna Nidhi Yojna launched from Gorakhpur of Uttar Pradesh. We are going to give this benefit to more than 12 crore small farmers'' families and more than 50 lakhs farmers from Rajasthan," he said. PM Modi said there is not a single farmer from Rajasthan among those benefited because the state government has not provided a list of beneficiaries to the Centre. He added that states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have already provided their lists to the Centre. PM Modi said Rs 7.5 lakh crore would be transferred to the bank accounts of small farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme. In the interim Budget 2019-20, the central government had announced the PM-Kisan scheme under which Rs 6,000 per year will be given in three instalments to 12 crore small and marginal farmers holding cultivable land up to two hectares. Referring to the Ayushmaan Bharat scheme, the PM said more than 13 lakh people in the country have received free treatment under the drive but not a single person from Rajasthan was among them as the Congress government has showed no seriousness to associate with the programme. The prime minister said the country was moving ahead with the sentiment of ''Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Jai Vigyan'' and his government was working on the ''Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'' model. "We are trying to achieve such targets which no one could think of achieving before," he said, highlighting the number of affordable houses constructed for the poor in the last four years. PM Modi said the GST council recently decided to slash the GST rate on affordable housing and hence, middle class families were now able to realise the dream of owning a house. He said while the interest rate on home loans was more than 10 per cent during the previous government, it has now come down to 8-9 per cent. Along with this, he said the definition of affordable houses has been revised and now, houses with carpet area of up to 60 square metres in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata will be considered as affordable houses and houses of up to 90 square metres carpet area in non-metro cities will be considered as affordable houses.<doc-sep>IAF Strike in Balakot, Pakistan: The pilot was in a Mig 21 that crashed after a skirmish (File) The government today said that an Indian pilot was "missing in action" after an Indian Air Force aircraft shot down a Pakistani jet targeting military installations. Later, the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned this afternoon by the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge a strong protest at the "unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan against India earlier today". The government has also strongly objected to Pakistan's "vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force" in violation of all norms of the Geneva Convention. This was after Pakistan claimed in a statement that strikes across Line of Control are "from within Pakistani airspace." The allegations reflect the escalation of hostilities a day after the Indian fighter jets went within Pakistan and destroyed a terror training camp. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with top officials including Advisor Ajit Doval, the Defence and Foreign Secretaries and intelligence officials. A Pakistani F-16 aircraft crashed on its own territory, in the Lam Valley area along the Indian air space in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri sectors. Amid increasing tension, the entire airspace north of Delhi has been vacated, official sources said, according to news agency Press Trust of India. Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a visit to China, said India wants to avoid any "further escalation of the situation" and will "continue to act with responsibility and restraint". The US asked Pakistan to take "meaningful action" against terror groups, with the Donald Trump administration calling for India and Pakistan to "exercise restraint" amid heightened tension between the two. Here are the Updates on Indian Air Force's (IAF) strike on Jaish terror camp in Pakistan Feb 27, 2019 22:58 (IST) Security was stepped up at the sensitive Paradip Port on Wednesday following escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, officials told the news agency PTI . "We are keeping a constant vigil on the crew members of ships landing at the port here. The crew members who want to go outside the port area are being thoroughly checked," said immigration officer at the port, Manas Ranjan Das. Feb 27, 2019 22:41 (IST) Mr. Jaitley, It's BJP & its leadership who require real introspection. Entire opposition stood as one backing the armed forces & the Govt. Still, Amit Shah & entire BJP resorted to credit seeking for the sacrifice of our martyrs & indulged in blaming the Congress provocatively https://t.co/BlOLgX1gwE - Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 27, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 22:26 (IST) IAF air strike Pakistan: European Union Warns Over India-Pak Tension The European Union has said that the rising tension between India and Pakistan has the potential to lead to "dangerous consequences" for the two countries and the wider region and called for utmost restraint. European Union Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini said in a statement, "Following the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama, tensions along the ''Line of Control'' between India and Pakistan have escalated militarily during the last days. This has the potential to lead to serious and dangerous consequences for the two countries and the wider region." Feb 27, 2019 22:20 (IST) IAF Air Strike Balakot: "Let The Country Speak In One Voice": Arun Jaitley To Opposition "The Cross Border terror attack in Pulwama was a reality. The Balakot Operation was India's Anti- Terror preemptive strike to defend its Sovereignty. The whole nation has spoken in one voice. Why, then is India's opposition alleging that the Government is politicising our Anti-Terror Operations. My appeal to India's opposition - "Let the country speak in one voice". Please introspect - 'Your ill advised statement is being used by Pakistan to bolster its case'," Arun Jaitley in a series of tweets. Feb 27, 2019 22:15 (IST) Due to the closure of Pakistani airspace by its government, Air Canada has temporarily suspended service to India. One flight en route to Delhi today has turned back over the Atlantic Ocean and is returning to Toronto, while a second flight from Vancouver to Delhi today has been cancelled. Feb 27, 2019 21:33 (IST) We have not yet received any instructions from the authorities about any change to the current running of the Samjhauta Express, we will follow whatever directions are received in this regard: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal quotes as saying by news agency ANI Feb 27, 2019 21:09 (IST) I hope saner counsels will prevail between leadership of India, Pakistan: Ex-prime minister Manmohan Singh Feb 27, 2019 20:11 (IST) Air Strike in Pakistan: Sri Lanka Releases Statement "As a country that has suffered from the scourge of terrorism for nearly three decades, Sri Lanka has unequivocally condemned this terrorist attack in Pulwama and stands firmly by the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Sri Lanka strongly supports peace and stability in the South Asia region and all endeavours towards the diffusion of tensions, including the resolution of bilateral problems through dialogue and building confidence": Sri Lanka Feb 27, 2019 20:04 (IST) Army personnel deployed at sensitive locations in Mumbai along with local police in view of increased tensions on the India-Pakistan border: Sources told news agency PTI Feb 27, 2019 19:32 (IST) IAF Air Strike: HD Kumaraswamy Says Nation Stands In Solidarity With Armed Forces Deeply pained to hear that one of our #IAF pilots is missing. I pray for his safe and speedy return. The nation stands in solidarity with our armed forces.#IndianAirForce - H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) February 27, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 19:30 (IST) UK is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urgently calls for restraint on both sides to avoid further escalation. We're in regular contact with both countries, urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability: UK Prime Minister Theresa May Feb 27, 2019 19:09 (IST) PM Modi Chairs High Level Meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chaired a high level meeting in Delhi. He has met the three services chiefs, along with National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. Feb 27, 2019 19:04 (IST) In the air strike, neither the Pakistani civilians were hurt nor the Pakistan Army was targeted. Our Air Force soldiers carried out the strike with caution. Despite this, Pakistan has been trying to defame India: Home Minister Rajnath Singh quoted as saying by PTI Feb 27, 2019 18:59 (IST) Here is the Ministry Of External Affairs Statement "The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned this afternoon by MEA to lodge a strong protest at the unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan against India earlier today, including by violation of the Indian air space by Pakistan Air Force and targeting of Indian military posts. This is in contrast to the India's non-military anti-terror pre-emptive strike at a JeM terrorist camp in Balakot on 26 February 2019. It is unfortunate that instead of fulfilling its international obligation and bilateral commitment to take credible action against terrorist entities and individuals operating from its soil, Pakistan has acted with aggression against India. It was clearly conveyed that India reserves the right to take firm and decisive action to protect its national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity against any act of aggression or cross-border terrorism. India also strongly objected to Pakistan's vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return. Regret was expressed at continuing denial by Pakistan's political and and military leadership at the presence of terrorist infrastructure in territories under its control. A dossier was handed over to Pakistan side with specific details of JeM complicity in Pulwama terror attack and the presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in Pakistan. It was conveyed that India expects Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorism emanating from territories under its control."<doc-sep>There is mounting pressure on Mr Modi - who will face an election by the end of May - to say something about the current situation. Many have compared his silence to Prime Minister Imran Khan, who addressed the nation on Wednesday and called for dialogue with India.<doc-sep>
Image Source : CISF/TWITTER India-Pakistan standoff Live: Red alert sounded across Delhi Metro network 09:44 pm: Security increased in national capital Security has been bolstered across the national capital amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan, police said. At a meeting chaired by Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik on Tuesday, all police officers were instructed to increase vigil in their respective districts. Patrolling and surveillance have been enhanced in sensitive areas, including railways stations, bus terminals, shopping malls, government institutions and at the national capital's borders, a senior police officer said. Vehicles entering the national capital from the neighbouring states are being checked, the officer said. People have also been sensitised about threats in high footfall areas and are requested to contact police if they come across anything suspicious, police said. 09:35 pm: Air Canada: Due the closure of Pakistani airspace by its government, Air Canada has temporarily suspended service to India. 08:30 pm: Red alert sounded across Delhi Metro network A red alert was sounded for the entire Delhi Metro network on Wednesday by the DMRC, in view of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. "As advised by security agencies, a red alert has been imposed on the entire DMRC network from 6 pm onwards," a senior DMRC official said. The Delhi Metro's current operational span is 327 km with 236 stations, in Delhi and neighbouring cities. "After a red alert is sounded, all station controllers are required to inspect entire station premises for any suspicious items or activity, including in parking lots, and report to the control centre every two hours," he said. The move comes in the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. 08:00 pm: 3 defence chiefs meet PM Modi, brief him about security scenario Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with three defence chiefs has ended. During the meeting, held at PM residence in New Delhi, the IAF, Army and Navy chiefs briefed PM Modi about the developments in the security scenario. Earlier in the day, top security and intelligence officials went into a huddle at the prime minister's office in the wake of fresh developments that followed India's airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, senior officials of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force and other officers had met to discuss the current security situation, they said. Top defence and security officials had later briefed the prime minister on the latest developments, including aerial confrontation in which one Pakistani jet and an IAF MiG 21 were shot down. 07:00 pm: Ratan Tata congratulates PM, IAF for air strikes on terror camps "We congratulate the PM and the IAF for the successful air strikes on the terrorist training camps which Pakistan has claimed never existed! India is proud of the firm action taken in retaliation to the suicide attack on our soldiers a few days ago. @narendramodi," Ratan Tata said in a tweet. 06:24 pm: Army chief Bipin Rawat reaches 7 Lok Manya Tilak Marg to meet PM Modi 06:20 pm: Pakistan army once again violates ceasefire along the line of control in the Mankote area in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district. Indian side is retaliating effectively. Heavy firing on. 06:50 pm: India expects immediate and safe return of IAF pilot, MEA tells Pak envoy The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned this afternoon by MEA to lodge a strong protest at the unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan against India earlier today, including by violation of the Indian air space by Pakistan Air Force and targeting of Indian military posts. India also strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return, the statement said. 06:31 pm: Pak Army retracts; says there is only one Indian pilot under its custody In yet another U-turn, Pakistan army has retracted its claim that it had two Indian pilots in its custody. In a fresh statement, Pak Army has now claimed that it has detained only one Indian pilot. "There is only one pilot under Pakistan Army’s custody. Wing Comd is being treated as per norms of military ethics," Pak army spokesperson Major Asif Ghafor said in a tweet.