News Analysis India

Tag: Rajnath Singh

  • Rajnath directs defence departments to help states in pandemic handling

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Amidst the rising number of Covid-19 cases across the country, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to review the preparedness of Ministry of Defence and the armed forces.

    The defence minister has also advised the army establishments to aid state governments in dealing with the pandemic.

    Rajnath Singh was briefed about the measures taken by Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and other departments of the Ministry of Defence such as National Cadet Corps (NCC) in providing aid to the civil administration.

    Meanwhile, Army Chief General MM Naravane issued instructions to the army establishments in various states to assist the states in dealing with the pandemic.

    At a virtual meeting with top defence brass, Singh also announced granting emergency financial powers to the three services and other defence agencies to make necessary procurement to enhance medical infrastructure in view of the pandemic, officials said.

    They said the three forces and other agencies have been asked to identify their requirement to deal with the situation and told that approvals will be given for the procurement.

    The meeting was attended by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Surgeon Vice Admiral Rajat Datta and DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy.

    Following an earlier communication between Singh and Gen Naravane, it was decided that the Army would offer treatment to civilians in its medical facilities, wherever possible and the force would even get in touch with top leadership of the states to understand their requirements.

    Officials said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has already shared with private industry its oxygen generation technology that was developed for use on board Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.

    India has witnessed a massive spike in coronavirus infections with the country recording over two lakh COVID-19 cases daily in the last five days.

    In view of rapid surge in infections, India is facing an acute shortage of hospital beds, oxygen, essential drugs.

    “Singh was also informed that based on the on-board oxygen generation technology developed for LCA Tejas, a 1000 litre/minute capacity oxygen generation plants technology has been given to the industry,” the defence ministry said.

    It said the Uttar Pradesh government has already placed order of five such plants with the industry.

    The ministry said DRDO chairman Reddy said in the meeting that more oxygen producing plants can be supplied by the industry to cater to the requirements of the hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

    He further said that SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) based supplemental oxygen delivery system developed for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas can be used for COVID patients.

    “The product, he said, will be available soon in the market from the industry as per technology provided by DRDO,” the ministry said in a statement.

    The ministry said Singh asked the armed forces to be in close contact with the civil administrations across the country and to provide any required assistance.

    Following a separate review of the coronavirus situation by the defence secretary, the ministry instructed 67 hospitals run by cantonment boards across the country to ensure medical services to cantonment residents as well as those from outside.

    Giving details about Singh’s meeting, the ministry said work is going on to set up a 450-bed hospital in Lucknow, 750-bed hospital in Varanasi and 900-bed hospital in Ahmedabad.

    In the meeting, the defence minister also discussed ways to contain the spread of COVID-19 among the Armed forces personnel and the officers and staff working in ministry.

    He focused on COVID appropriate behaviour at the workplace, stressing on the need to strictly follow all the COVID protocols such as wearing masks at all times and maintaining physical distancing.

    The Indian Army on Tuesday said it is converting its base hospital in Delhi to an exclusive COVID-19 facility for armed forces personnel as well as veterans.

    This facility will be available for COVID-19 patients from Thursday, it said on Twitter.

    The Army said on Twitter, “Base Hospital Delhi Cantt BHDC is being converted into an exclusive COVID-19 facility for Indian armed forces and veterans with effect from April 22, 2021.”

    “All OPDs (out patient department) will shift and function at Army Hospital Research and Referral (AHRR) with effect from April 22,” it added.

    Moreover, the Army said an online tri-service teleconsultation service called “SeHAT OPD” is functional right now for veterans, armed forces personnel as well as their dependents.

    “For ailments and prescriptions for continuation of medications log in to http:ehatopd.in,” it added.

    India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,53,21,089 with 2,59,170 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, while active cases surpassed the 20-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

    The death toll increased to 1,80,530 with a record 1,761 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • PM Narendra Modi’s address was reassuring for people: Union ministers and BJP leaders

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Top Union Ministers and senior BJP leaders on Tuesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on the coronavirus situation as reassuring for the public while highlighting his appeal for maintaining discipline and using lockdown as the last resort.

    Amid a second wave of the pandemic, Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday and appealed to people to follow right discipline to safeguard everyone against the novel coronavirus. Modi in his speech has emphasised on discipline and patience, senior BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, adding that with the participation of public, the country will overcome this challenge.

    प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi ने आज राष्ट्र के नाम अपने संबोधन में मर्यादाओं का पालन करने, अनुशासन एवं धैर्य रखने का आवाहन किया है।जन-भागीदारी से चुनौती पर विजय प्राप्त होगी।व्यवस्थाओं को मज़बूत करने का पूरा प्रयास जारी है।प्रधानमंत्रीजी की अपील का सभी देशवासी अवश्य पालन करें।
    — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 20, 2021

    Singh further said efforts are being also made to strengthen the system. Hailing the prime minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said he assured the country that the government will improve the health of the economy of the country as well as that of its people.

    He also urged states to let lockdown be the last resort and to instead focus in micro-containment zones to handle the pandemic. “These words of Modiji while making us aware of the tough battle that we have to fight together, have also reassured us that we are in this together. That we as a nation are doing whatever it takes to ensure #IndiaFightsCorona successfully,” Shekhawat said in a series of tweets.

    PM @narendramodi ji assured the country that we will improve the health of the economy of the country as well as that of our people.He urged states to let #Lockdown be the last resort and to instead focus in Micro-containment zones to handle Covid.
    — Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) April 20, 2021

    BJP’s organisational secretary BL Santhosh said that Modi has requested everybody to follow safety protocols to avoid lockdown.

    Awareness …. Discipline …. Confidence …. three things emphasised by PM @narendramodi I his address .
    — B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) April 20, 2021

    Amid a staggering surge in COVID-19 cases, PM Modi on Tuesday said a lockdown should be the “last resort” to deal with the raging pandemic and asked states to convince migrant workers to stay put at their places of work with a guarantee for their lives and livelihood.

  • Rajnath Singh reviews preparedness of armed forces to deal with COVID spike

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Amidst the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country, Defence Miinister Rajnath Singh held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to review the preparedness of Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces to deal with it. The minister has also advised the army establishments to aid the state governments in dealing with COVID pandemic.

    Rajnath Singh was briefed about the measures taken by Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and other departments of Ministry of Defence such as National Cadet Corps (NCC) in providing aid to the civil administration in this hour of crisis.

    Bharat Bhushan, Spokesperson Ministry of Defence said, “DRDO Chairman briefed that a COVID-19 facility, developed by DRDO, has again been made functional in New Delhi and efforts are being made to soon increase the number of beds from 250 to 500. Employees State Insurance Hospital Patna has started functioning with 500 beds as a COVID hospital.”

    Dr G Satheesh Reddy added that work is on war footing to set up a 450-bed hospital in Lucknow, 750-bed hospital in Varanasi and 900-bed hospital in Ahmedabad.

    Meanwhile, Army Chief General MM Naravane issued instructions to the Army establishments in various states, as asked by the Defence Minister, to assist the state governments in dealing with the spike in COVID Cases. Sources informed, “The senior most Army officer in every state have been asked to meet the Chief Minister to understand the requirements and to extend treatment to patients wherever it is possible.”

    “The officers of the Air Force and Navy have also been asked to be prepared to deal with any requirement.” told a source.

    The 67 hospitals run by the Cantonment Boards spread across the country have also been primed to actively handle the cases of people in Board area and also those from outside.

    Defence Minister, during the review meeting also has suggested to utilise the services of vaccinated retired Armed Forces personnel to assist the civil administration/state governments to deal with the current situation.

    Important input regarding the supply of Oxygen also came up during the meeting that a 1000 litre/minute capacity oxygen generation plants technology has been given to the industry and the Uttar Pradesh government has placed order of five such plants with the industry. This technology is based on the On-Board Oxygen Generation Technology developed for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.

    DRDO Chairman Dr Reddy added that more plants can be supplied by the industry to cater to the hospital requirements. He further said SpO2 (Blood Oxygen Saturation) based supplemental oxygen delivery system developed for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas can be used for COVID patients as their conditions become similar. The product, he said, will be available soon in the market from the industry as per technology provided by DRDO.

    Rajnath Singh urged the DPSUs, OFB and DRDO to work on war footing to provide oxygen cylinders and extra beds to civil administration/state governments at the earliest. Rajnath Singh also delegated the emergency powers of procurement so that critical needs are procured. The review meeting was attended by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, CDS General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, Army Chief General M M Naravane, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Surg Vice Admiral Rajat Datta, Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar, DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy and other senior civil & military officers attended the meeting.

    During the meeting, Rajnath Singh also discussed ways to contain the spread of COVID-19 among the Armed Forces personnel and the officers/staff working in Ministry of Defence.  

  • COVID-19: Army may consider treating civilians in its hospitals, say sources

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: As India reels under a massive spike in coronavirus cases, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the Army to extend assistance to state administrations to deal with the pandemic, including by offering help in creation of additional capacities to treat COVID-19 patients.

    Sources in the security establishment said following Singh’s communication to Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, it was decided that the Army would consider offering treatment to civilians in its medical facilities, wherever possible, besides extending other assistance to civil administrations.

    Singh has conveyed to Gen MM Naravane that the Army units in various states can get in touch with state administrations to understand their requirement like creation of additional capacities to deal with increasing volume of patients.

    Subsequently, it was decided that the senior-most Army officer in a state would get in touch with the chief minister to understand the requirement and take forward the process, including offering to treat civilians wherever possible, they said.

    The sources said the defence minister has been in touch with the top brass of his ministry and the three forces on how the civilian administration across the country could be assisted in battling the coronavirus situation.

    The sources said it was also communicated to the leadership of the Indian Air Force and the Navy to gear up their preparedness in dealing with the situation.

    Separately, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar reviewed the possible areas where the armed forces can extend assistance to the civilian authorities.

    Following his review, the Defence Ministry instructed 67 hospitals run by Cantonment Boards across the country to ensure medical services to cantonment residents as well as those from outside.

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has already been told to extend all possible assistance it can extend to civil administrations across the country.

    The DRDO has already reopened a medical facility near the Delhi airport for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

    The facility has been made operational with 250 beds and their number is being increased to 1,000.

    The premier organisation is coming up with a similar facility in Lucknow.

    India has witnessed a massive spike in coronavirus infections as the country recorded over two lakh cases daily in the last five days.

    In view of the rapid surge in infections, India is facing an acute shortage of hospital beds, oxygen, essential drugs.

  • Army hospitals in Madhya Pradesh to treat civilians amid Covid-19 pandemic: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI
    BHOPAL: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday assured the Madhya Pradesh government that services at Army hospitals in the state will be made available to civilians during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister’s Office said.

    Singh’s assurance came after Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke to him over phone about opening the Army hospitals in the state for the general public, an official in the CMO said.

    Senior Army officials will meet the chief minister in this connection, he said.

    On Sunday, Madhya Pradesh reported 12,248 new cases of coronavirus, the state’s highest single-day spike so far, taking the caseload to4,08,080.

    The state also recorded 66 more deaths due to the viral infection, pushing the toll to 4,557.

    This month, the state has so far reported 1,12,569 new cases of COVID-19 and 571 deaths due to the disease, as per official data.

    ALSO WATCH:

  • Rajnath Singh directs DRDO team to prepare two COVID-19 hospitals in Lucknow as cases increase

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: A team from the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) will reach Lucknow on Friday to prepare two COVID-19 hospitals with 500-600 bed capacity in light of the rising coronavirus cases being reported in the state.

    The team is headed to Lucknow as per directions by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow.

    COVID-19 cases across the country have been increasing at an alarming rate, especially in Uttar Pradesh, which reported 14,404 new COVID-19 cases, 3,474 discharges, and 85 deaths on Thursday.

    With this, the number of recoveries reached 6,18,293 in the state. Currently, there are 95,980 active cases in the state.

    As per the health ministry, Uttar Pradesh has reported a growth rate of 19.25 per cent in daily new cases. 46 districts in Uttar Pradesh have crossed their reported highest cases in the last 30 days.

    A night curfew was imposed from 7 pm to 8 am in ten districts of the state in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases, and classes for 1 to 12 have been suspended till May 15.

  • ‘Why do you blame PM for everything?’: Rajnath Singh says Didi’s conduct unbecoming of a CM

    By ANI
    NORTH 24 PARGANAS (West Bengal): Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) senior leader and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing a public rally in West Bengal’s Swarupnagar on Tuesday lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying her conduct is unbecoming of a CM.

    “You talk nonsense about our PM. Why do you blame him for everything? I have also been a Chief Minister, I know how a CM should behave,” Rajnath said.

    The Union Defence Minister also slammed Banerjee for speaking and protesting against the Election Commission after the agency on Monday put a ban on her preventing her from campaigning.

    “EC has banned her for 24 hours citing MCC violation. She’s now against the EC. Didi, can you spare anyone?” Singh asked.

    The BJP leader also alleged that bombs were being made to attack opponents in the state.

    “I saw on TV that there’s a bomb factory here. I thought it was a government factory, but bombs were made to attack opponents. How was it possible to make bombs under the CM’s leadership? If BJP government is formed, there will be either bombs or us,” the minister further said.

    The fifth and sixth phases of the ongoing Assembly elections in the state will take place on April 17 and April 22. Counting of votes will take place on May 2. 

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Talks To UP CM Yogi Adityanath Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday held a discussion with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the rising tension of Covid-19 cases. As Uttar Pradesh is recording an increasing number of cases, union minister Rajnath Singh who is also keeping a close watch on the situation called UP CM and urged him to increase the healthcare facility of the state. Several parts of Uttar Pradesh including Lucknow, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Allahabad, Meerut, Bareilly, Kanpur, Gaziabad have been reporting a higher load of cases.

    Rajnath Singh appealed to CM Yogi to further increase beds ventilator and oxygen facilities in the hospitals. The UP Chief Minister assured the defence minister that Balrampur hospital, Era, Shakuntala Mishra Medical College. He also gave instructions on increasing beds in King George’s Medical College and in Lucknow’s Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. The defence minister also urged the public to follow the Covid-19 guidelines and protocols.

    On Friday the state reported 9,695 fresh Covid-19 cases and 37 deaths. In the last 24 hours, UP reported 9,695 new cases and the total stands at 48,306 active cases with 22,904 people in home isolation, 835 patients undergoing treatment in private hospitals, and the remaining patients are in government hospitals. Lucknow alone reported 2934 fresh cases with 14 deaths followed by 1,016 from Prayagraj, 845 from Varanasi, 522 from Kanpur, and 333 from Gorakhpur.

  • Fishermen to be brought under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: Rajnath Singh

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has termed as ‘unconstitutional’ the state government’s decision to insitute a judicial inquiry into Central agencies probing gold smuggling and related cases, He added that the move was against the federal structure of the Constitution.

    “This is very unfortunate. It means this (state) government is challenging the federal structure of the Constitution. This is 100 per cent unconstitutional,” Rajnath said.

    Recently, the state government had decided to order a judicial inquiry against the central agencies, including Enforcement Directorate, for allegedly derailing the probe in the gold smuggling and dollar scam cases.

    The move came days after the state Crime Branch registered an FIR against some ED officials.

    Singh, who was in the capital as part of the NDA’s election campaign in the state, said the Centre will provide an assistance of Rs 6,000 per year to fishermen on the lines of the aid currently given to farmers under the PM Kissan Samman Nidhi scheme.

    “Under the PM Kissan Samman Nidhi our government is transferring Rs 6,000 per year to the bank accounts of farmers across the country. We will also transfer Rs 6,000 to the bank accounts of fishermen as well and effectively implement the Central scheme,” he said.

    The Union Minister said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is demanding a separate Union ministry for fisheries, was perhaps unaware that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had constituted such a ministry in 2019 itself. He said fishermen were being given Kissan credit cards and loans as well.

    Rajnath said the BJP government at the Centre has fulfilled its key promises in the election manifesto including abolition of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, ending triple talaq and enactment of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

    Allaying concerns on the implementation of CAA, Singh assured that citizenship of Indian nationals will be protected irrespective of their religion.

    “Whoever is a citizen of India, whether Hindu, Muslim or Christian, we will not take away his or her citizenship. This is our firm decision,” Rajnath said.

    On Uniform Civil Code, the Union Minister said it was a part of the manifesto which will also be implemented. “At the appropriate time, by taking all communities into confidence, we can move forward on it,” he added. Asked about rising fuel and cooking gas prices in the country, Rajnath said the Centre has requested the states to lower its duties on petroleum products.

    Singh also flayed both the LDF and UDF and added that people in the state have realised that only the BJP could provide a political alternative to the two fronts. Both the LDF and UDF were giving false promises and had failed to understand the aspirations of the people of Kerala, he said.

    “UDF and LDF are playing friendly matches. Either the LDF or the UDF win the match but it is the people who are getting defeated. In Kerala, the Congress and Communists are fighting but far away, they are fighting us together,” Singh said.

  • Rajnath Singh, South Korean minister inaugurate Indo-Korean friendship park in Delhi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: An Indo-Korean friendship park was jointly inaugurated on Friday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of National Defence of South Korea Suh Wook at Delhi cantonment.

    The park has been built to commemorate the contribution of Indian peacekeeping force during the Korean war of 1950-53, officials said.

    Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General M M Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria were present on the occasion.

    Indo-Korean Bilateral Friendship Park inaugurated by Honourable Raksha Mantri Shri @Rajnathsingh & South Korea’s Minister of National Defence Mr Suh Wook at Delhi Cantt. The park commemorates contribution of Indian peacekeepers during Korean war.@moonriver365@MOFAkr_eng pic.twitter.com/UzQpCWcOac
    — Western Command – Indian Army (@westerncomd_IA) March 26, 2021

    The South Korean minister arrived in India on Thursday on a three-day visit with a focus on boosting bilateral defence and military cooperation.

    South Korea has been a major supplier of weapons and military equipment to India.

    In 2019, the two countries finalised a roadmap for cooperation in joint production of various land and naval systems.

    Wook also visited the National War Memorial and paid tributes to India’s fallen heroes.