Breaking News January 29 | Highlights

Vaccination for frontline workers will start from 1st week of February 2021: Government Official

Three militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Friday, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Mandoora in Tral area, following information about the presence of militants there, they said.

The encounter broke out after militants opened fire at the security forces, who retaliated, police said.

Three militants were killed in the swift retaliatory action by the security forces, they said, adding that the identity of the slain ultras was being ascertained.

An explosion took place near the Israel Embassy in Delhi on Friday evening. 

Beating Retreat Ceremony 2021 begins

A CRPF jawan killed, another injured after one of their colleagues opened fire at them at a camp of the paramilitary force in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district. The jawan who opened had shot himself, he is in critical condition. 

TMC leader Rajeeb Banerjee resigns from the post of Member of Legislative Assembly. He had resigned from his office as state Cabinet Minister on January 22. 

The Aero India show is scheduled from 3rd February till 5th February 2021 at Bengaluru. The event is unique in ways more than one and it is billed as the 'Runway to a Billion opportunities', said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The total number of persons infected with the UK variant of Coronavirus reaches 166, said Union Health Ministry.

Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain and AAP MLA Raghav Chadha arrived at the Singhu border where farmers are protesting against farm laws. 

"We're here to inspect the arrangement of water and toilets done by us. Police stopped movement of water tankers so that they can't reach here" says S Jain.

Rajasthan government reduces VAT (Value-added tax) on diesel and petrol by 2% each. Now 36% VAT applicable on petrol and 26% on diesel.

A fire broke out at a plastic toy making unit in Delhi's Indralok area. 15 fire tenders are at the spot. The fire has been brought under control. More details awaited.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media ahead of the Parliament's budget session. Here are some pointers from his address:

• Today commences the first Session of this decade. This decade is very important for the bright future of India. A golden opportunity has come before the nation to fulfill the dreams seen by the freedom fighters. 
• This decade should be fully utilised. Keeping this in mind, there should be discussions in this session focussing on the decade - this is expected by the nation. I believe that we will not lag behind in making our contribution for the fulfilment of people's aspirations.
• This is the Budget Session. For the first time in India's history, in a way, the Finance Minister had to present 4-5 mini budgets in 2020 in the form of different packages. So this Budget will be seen as a part of those 4-5 mini budgets, I believe this. 

President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the two Houses as the Budget Session commenced today. Here are the highlights from his address: 

• A joint session of Parliament amid the Corona pandemic is essential. It's a new year and a new decade and we're also entering into the 75th year of independence. Today all MPs are present here with a message and trust that however tough be the challenge neither we nor India will stop.
• In this fight against the pandemic, we lost many citizens. Former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away in this Corona period. Six MPs left us untimely due to COVID. I pay my tribute to all of them. 
• I am satisfied that the timely decision taken by my Government saved the lives of lakhs of citizens. Today the number of new COVID cases is going down rapidly. The number of recoveries is very high. 
• It is a matter of pride that India is running the biggest vaccination program in the world. Both vaccines of this program are made in India. In this crisis, India shouldered its responsibility towards mankind and provided lakhs of doses of vaccines to several nations. 
• The facilities of Ayushman Bharat Yojana can be availed in any of the 24,000 hospitals across the nation. The poor are getting medicines at very low costs at 7000 centers across the country, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. 
• The national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days. The Constitution that provides us Freedom of Expression, is the same Constitution that teaches us that law and rules have to be followed seriously.
• Small and marginal farmers are also a priority for my Govt. To support such farmers in their small expenses, around Rs 1,13,000 crores have been transferred directly to their accounts, under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi.
• My government would like to clarify that the rights and facilities that were available before the formation of the three Farm Laws have not been cut short, in fact with these new agricultural reforms the Govt has provided new facilities and rights to farmers.
• Last governments had made efforts for construction of a new Parliament building. It's a delightful coincidence that the nation started construction while moving towards the 75th year of independence. The building will provide more facilities to MPs in carrying out their duties.
• The nation is recovering from the damage that the economy suffered while saving the life of every Indian during the Corona period. Even in this difficult time, India has emerged as an attractive destination for global investors.
• Extremism in the northeast is heading towards its end, the incidents of violence are declining. The youth that had gone astray is returning to the mainstream of development and nation-building.
• The rehabilitation of Bru refugees is being carried out peacefully. The historic Bodo peace agreement was also signed and successfully implemented. Bodoland Territorial Council election took place successfully after the agreement.
• 20 jawans made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan valley in June 2020. Every citizen is grateful to these martyrs. My government is committed to the protection of the interests of the nation. Extra Forces have been deployed at LAC for the protection of India's sovereignty.
• Besides fulfilling the domestic requirements, India has provided necessary medicines to more than 150 countries. India is also committed to ensuring the availability of vaccines on a global scale.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia arrived at the Ghazipur border (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh) where farmers are protesting against farm laws.

India reported 18,855 new COVID-19 cases, 20,746 discharges, and 163 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry.

• Total cases: 1,07,20,048
• Active cases: 1,71,686  
• Total discharges: 1,03,94,352  
• Death toll: 1,54,010
• Total vaccinated: 29,28,053

Singhu, Auchandi, Mangesh, Saboli, Piau Maniyari borders closed. Lampur, Safiabad, Singhu school and Palla toll tax borders opened. Traffic diverted from NH44 near DSIDC Narela. Avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road, and NH 44, Delhi Traffic Police said.