Prime Minister Modi chaired a Cabinet meeting a day after the Election Commission announced the full schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which will be conducted in seven phases.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: A day after the Election Commission announced the dates for the elections Lok Sabha polls 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi On Sunday chairman A Cabinet meeting in the national capital New Delhi, and instructed his ministers to draw up a road map for the first 100 days and the next five years of the new government.

Modes– who, according to popular surveys before the elections, is likely to return as prime minister for a third term – told ministers in his cabinet to hold meetings with secretaries and other officials of their respective ministries to discuss how the agenda for the first 100 days would expired. and can be better implemented in the next five years, sources said, according to a PTI report.

The Cabinet meeting took place a day after the poll panel announced the full schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in seven phases over a period of nearly two months from April 19 to June 1, 2024.

The votes will be counted on June 4 and the results will be announced on the same day, the European Championship announced on Saturday.

LS poll dates announced

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi’s office also initiated the process of announcing the dates of the seven-phase parliamentary elections by sending the Election Commission’s recommendation to President Droupadi Murmu.

The first notification will be on March 20 for the first phase of polls on April 19 on 102 seats. The nomination process starts for a particular phase with the issuance of the notification.

Action plan ‘Viksit Bharat: 2047’

Earlier this month, on March 3, Prime Minister Modi and his council of ministers had brainstormed the vision document for ‘Viksit Bharat: 2047’ and a detailed action plan for the next five years.

The daylong Council meeting debated a 100-day agenda for immediate steps to be taken after a new government is formed in June.

According to sources, the roadmap for ‘Viksit Bharat’ was the result of over two years of intensive preparation and included a ‘whole of government’ approach involving all ministries and extensive consultations with state governments, academia, industrial bodies, civil society, scientific organizations and the mobilization of young people for input.

“More than 2,700 meetings, workshops and seminars have been held at various levels. Suggestions were received from over 20 lakh youth,” an official said.

Lok Sabha polls announced

The Election Commission of India on Saturday announced the dates for the Lok Sabha and four state Assembly elections.

The general elections to 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases from April 19, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced.

The counting will take place on June 4 and the results will be announced on the same day.

Nearly 97 crore voters will be eligible to vote for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. With the announcement of dates, the moral code of conduct comes into effect immediately.

(With input from agencies)

Patna: Nitish Kumar had earlier announced on March 14 that a decision on cabinet expansion would be taken the same day. However, the decision had to be postponed as they were waiting for the list of BJP ministers to be sent.

JACK Grealish has landed a tasty new brand deal – after signing up for a new advertising campaign for Hellman’s mayonnaise.

The Manchester City boss filmed the ad last week with some of his England teammates.

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Insiders said the Mayo ad would air in the run-up to the euro in Germany this summer.

A source said: “Jack is in demand off the pitch and he is the star of a new Hellman’s Mayo advert.

“He took part in a video shoot in Manchester last week with some other English players.

“The details of the shoot are still being kept under wraps, but it will feature Jack and his teammates enjoying a few squirts of the white stuff.”

Jack is a big fan of sauce and was even given his own brand of Nando’s Peri-Peri sauce at a party last year.

The chicken chain created Super Jack’s Sauce for the winger who loves takeaway after a game.

He said he ordered the same Chinese restaurant, Spinningfields’ Wing’s Restaurant, after every match at the Etihad last summer.

Jack said: “I like Chinese. I get one after every game.

‘I’m going to Wings in Manchester. I usually get a takeaway. I have Singapore chow mein, I have egg fried rice, I have salt and pepper chips, I have salt and pepper shrimp and then curry sauce.

“Then I just mix it all up and have a big free for all.”

Last month, Jack, 28, signed a seven-figure deal to become the new face of Pepsi.

He joined the campaign with ex-footballer and actor Vinnie Jones.

A top member of Israel’s war cabinet was due to meet with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Wednesday, as Israel’s allies, including the United States, expressed serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for a pause in emphasize the struggle.

Benny Gantz, a former army chief and a top political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visits London a day after holding closed-door meetings in Washington with a host of officials and political leaders, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of State Foreign Affairs. Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. During his trip to Washington, Mr Gantz also met with Vice President Kamala Harris – who urged a pause in the war – and Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser.

Mr Cameron had strong words for Israel before his meeting with Mr Gantz. In a debate before the House of Lords On Tuesday, Mr. Cameron said he planned to make clear to Mr. Gantz that Israel needed to do more to increase aid to Gaza to address the “terrible suffering” in the area.

“Patience must be running out, and a whole series of warnings must be issued” to Israel, he said. “Israel is the occupying power, and it is responsible.”

The high-level meetings in Washington confused Netanyahu and his right-wing allies, deepening divisions among the leaders leading Israel’s war in Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu’s office has said it has not approved Mr Gantz’s trip to Washington. Bezalel Smotrich, the Minister of Finance, said further Knesset TV on Monday that it was “a shame” his trip had not been coordinated with the prime minister, adding: “We must show unity and speak with one voice to the whole world.”

In Washington, Mr. Austin asked for Mr. Gantz’s support to allow more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza’s increasingly desperate residents and stressed the need for a plan to protect civilians before Israel pushes into Rafah, on the southern side of Gaza, the Pentagon said in a summary of the meeting. Mr. Blinken stressed to Mr. Gantz the importance of quickly reaching an agreement on the release of hostages and a lull in the fighting, and urged Israel to open additional crossings to slow the flow of supplies into the area facilitate, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesman, responded to a reporter’s question about whether Mr. Gantz’s meetings were “a snuff to the Netanyahu government” by saying they were requested by Mr. Gantz.

“It was a good opportunity to have a discussion with the War Cabinet about the way we support Israel and the things we want to see Israel do,” Mr Kirby said.

Adam Sella reporting contributed.

CHANCELLOR Jeremy Hunt will present his make-or-break budget tomorrow.

But will he deduct 1 cent or 2 cents from income tax or from national income tax? Insurance for millions of workers – a move that means finding an extra £9 billion in savings and smaller tax increases?

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When we asked The Sun’s Cabinet – a panel of readers in the role of foreign secretary who hold our leaders to account – about personal tax cuts, less than half supported them. But they all wanted stamp duty reduced to boost house sales.

There was unanimous support for our Keep it Down campaign to freeze fuel duty, while the cost of cigarettes was increased to £16 per pack plus lower business rates to help small businesses get the thumbs up.

This is what our government said. . .

SECRETARY OF HEALTH

General practitioner in training Dr. Bhasha Mukherjee, 28

‘Tax benefit would ensure that I work more shifts’

MEDIC Bhasha believes that a tax break is exactly what is needed to boost the workforce.

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She said: “It would be great because it would encourage people who are working to work longer hours and spend their money more. This way you can strengthen the economy.

‘At the moment you are almost discouraged from working because of the way we are taxed.

“If you work hard, you are actually taxed more.

“That has certainly been a reason for me not to work extra shifts, because I know that whatever extra income I get, I will be taxed on it.

“I do think there is a benefit to tax cuts. But is this a short-term goal? Is it just something the Tories use to get votes and then move on?”

Bhasha, who is originally from Derby but lives and works in North London, also agrees with cutting government spending, including getting the NHS to stop wasting money.

TRANSPORT SECRETARY

London taxi driver Grant Davis, 60

‘I’m looking for a fuel tax cut, not a freeze’

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JUST freezing fuel duty is not enough, says Grant, from Bromley, south London.

He says of the Chancellor: ‘He must realize how tight the purse strings are for most of the country.

“I’m looking for a fuel tax cut, not just a freeze. We all know how important transport is for business and when fuel costs go down, it means more people have more money in their pockets.

“For me that will be the key to what he can do, not only for companies but also for families.

“I would also like to see a reduction in VAT on energy bills for households. We all see that net zero will be catastrophic for the country in the medium and long term.

“The majority of people would feel better if the economy was booming, everyone felt good and had money in their pockets.

“Once everyone has more money and businesses are flourishing, we can look at introducing a green tax here or there.”

DEFENSE AND FOREIGN SECRETARY

Ex-Army Captain Hugh Andree, 50

‘Rich people don’t need to save 2 cents per pound’

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TAX cuts will not ease personal hardship, Hugh insists.

He explains: ‘Rich people don’t have to save one or two cents per pound. It won’t make any difference to them.

“I would like to see the Chancellor increase the tax threshold by one per cent to support those who are really suffering from the cost of living.

“In 2023, the Chancellor pledged an additional £11 billion for defense over five years, fiscal and economic conditions permitting.

“The threat to security should dictate spending, not fiscal and economic conditions. Not since the end of the Cold War has investment in defense and our armed forces been so important.”

Hugh, from Battersea, south-west London, added: ‘The Chancellor doesn’t want to get the reputation of being just another politician who keeps delivering on promises. I want to remind him that we have less ammunition now than we have had for decades.”

CORPORATE SECRETARY

Plumber Manesh Vekaria, 37

‘I work 24/7, but want help to grow my business’

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PLUMBER Manesh wants the Chancellor to do more for small businesses.

He became self-employed just before the pandemic and now has six employees at his Harrow business, North West London.

And he would like to see cuts in corporate taxes and business rates.

But Manesh does not know who to vote for – and has not forgiven Rishi Sunak for raising corporation tax from 19 per cent to 25 per cent when he was chancellor – leaving some small businesses in the pocket.

He says: “I like to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week because I want to grow my business, but if you don’t help the small businesses, there won’t be any big businesses.

‘The rates for companies must be reduced. They are too expensive and many small businesses struggle to afford them.

“Facebooks and Amazon, who make millions thanks to all of us, must contribute more.”

SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

Ex-teacher Carrie Ann Booth, 42

‘There needs to be more money for schools’

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THERE are fears that government spending could be curtailed to fund an eventual 2 cent or national tax cut insurance.

But our Sun Cabinet ‘Education Secretary’ Carrie Ann Booth believes Jeremy Hunt should put MORE money into schools. Former science teacher Carrie Ann from Carlisle said: “There definitely needs to be more money for state schools.

“It’s the only way we can make a dent in the teacher retention and recruitment crisis.

“There just isn’t enough money to train our teachers, keep our teachers and keep our schools staffed.”

Carrie Ann, whose daughter Roxy, eight, is in a state primary, added: “It would be an absolute shame if our state education system became even worse than it already is.

“Coming from a fairly working class background, I would like to see wealthier earners taxed more, just like corporations and businesses.”

HOUSE SECRETARY

Ex-detective Jonathan Taylor, 63

‘Tax cuts won’t help the public sector at all’

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FORMER detective Jonathan believes tax cuts will give people more disposable income.

He says: “Tax cuts will certainly help, but the Chancellor will probably look to National Insurance and possibly inheritance tax.

“We would all like more disposable income, but that won’t help the public sector at all because everyone is talking about pay rises – doctors, nurses, teachers, the armed forces and even the police.”

Jonathan, from Taunton, Somerset, says police need expensive new procedures following a report into Wayne Couzens, the officer who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard.

He adds: “A lot of money needs to be spent on the vetting process of police officers. It’s something that never was.

“When I joined the police, they just made sure you didn’t have a criminal record.

“We have to start using technology, and that will cost a lot of money.”

The subsidy scheme will ensure availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices.

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing farmers’ protests, the Union Cabinet has approved a subsidy scheme for farmers. It has submitted a proposal of Rs 24,420 crore for fixing the nutrient-based subsidy rates (NBS) for phosphatic and potassium-containing (P&K) fertilizers and inclusion of 3 new fertilizer grades under the NBS scheme for the Kharif season 2024 (April to September of this year ).

Notably, the scheme will ensure the availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices, according to an official statement issued after the meeting. This will also result in rationalization of subsidies for P&K fertilizers in view of the recent trends in international prices of fertilizers and inputs.

How will it help farmers?

The inclusion of three new grades in the NBS will support the promotion of balanced soil health and provide alternatives for farmers to choose fertilizers enriched with micronutrients depending on soil needs, the statement said.

The subsidy on P&K fertilizers will be provided on the basis of approved rates for Kharif 2024 (applicable from April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024) to ensure smooth availability of these fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices. The government is making 25 types of P&K fertilizers available to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers and importers to help them increase production and increase income.

Cabinet approves amendment to MMDR law

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the amendment in the MMDR Act to specify the royalty rate for 12 crucial and strategic minerals, an official statement said. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Mines said in a statement.

“The Union Cabinet… approved the amendment of the Second Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) for specifying the royalty rate in respect of 12 crucial and strategic minerals,” the statement said.

The twelve crucial and strategic minerals are beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, gallium, indium, rhenium, selenium, tantalum, tellurium, titanium, tungsten and vanadium. This completes the rationalization of royalty rates for all 24 critical and strategic minerals, the ministry said.

The government announced the royalty rate on March 15, 2022 for four crucial minerals, namely glauconite, potash, molybdenum and platinum group of minerals, and on October 12, 2023 for three crucial minerals, lithium, niobium and rare earth elements.

According to the statement, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, which came into force on August 17, 2023, listed 24 critical and strategic minerals in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act. The amendment provided that mining leases and composite permits for these 24 minerals would be auctioned by the central government.

The approval for royalty rate specification will enable the Center to auction blocks for these twelve minerals for the first time in the country. The royalty rate on minerals is an important financial consideration for block auction bidders, the statement said.

(With input from agencies)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami along with his cabinet will visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on February 20.

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami along with his cabinet will visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on February 20. According to the CMO, Dhami, along with his cabinet, will visit Hanuman Garhi and Ram Lalla in Ayodhya and offer prayers.

To recall, on January 22, on the occasion of Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, CM Dhami released the annual calendar, 'Strong Leadership Prosperous Uttarakhand', prepared by the Information and Public Relations Department.

The Chief Minister also offered prayers at the temple in his government residence and said, “I am extremely elated to witness this grand festival after 500 years of long struggle.” The Uttarakhand Chief Minister added that he prays to Lord Ram for the prosperity of the people of the state and the well-being of all Sanatanis living across the world.

Rajasthan CM flags off daily bus service to Ayodhya for pilgrims

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday suspended daily bus service to Ayodhya from seven parts of the state, including Jaipur. He directed officials to ensure that the pilgrims going from Rajasthan to Ayodhya are registered and all proper arrangements should be made for them.

Sharma said the department should appoint officials to ensure that arrangements are also made for pilgrims in Ayodhya. On January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple, the Rajasthan government had announced that air and bus services would be started from the state to Ayodhya.

Sharma said Lord Ram is the center of faith of millions of Indians. Today, Ayodhya has become an important cultural center of the world. Daily bus service to Ayodhya from seven parts of the state, including Jaipur, was suspended today.

Basant is the younger brother of former Prime Minister Hemant Soren, who is in judicial custody in a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam.

Jharkhand News: Basant Soren, younger son of JMM supremo Shibu Soren, and seven others were sworn in as ministers in the Champai Soren-led Jharkhand government on Friday.

Basant is also the younger brother of former Prime Minister Hemant Soren, who is in judicial custody in a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam.

Besides him, the new face in the 11-member cabinet is Chaibasa MLA Deepak Birua of JMM.

Basant Soren was elected as MLA from Dumka constituency after defeating the BJP's Louis Marandi by a margin of 6,842 votes in a by-poll in November 2020.

Birua won the Chaibasa seat by defeating BJP's JB Tubid by over 26,000 votes in the 2019 Assembly elections.

Those who will retain their ministerial positions include Rameshwar Oraon, Banna Gupta and Badal Patralekh of Congress, besides Mithilesh Kumar Thakur, Hafizul Hasan and Bebi Devi of JMM.

Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers.

The oath-taking took place at the Birsa Mandap of Raj Bhavan in the presence of senior leaders of the JMM-led alliance and other government officials.

“The wallets are being distributed today. We will continue the work of developing Jharkhand after assigning responsibilities to each minister,” the CM said.

“The party has given me a big responsibility and I hope to fulfill it,” Basant Soren said.

Birua also expressed happiness over his induction into the cabinet. “I will work with vigor and zeal for the welfare of the state,” he asserted.

JMM Minister Hafizul Hasan added: “This is the oath of sorrow we took today as our leader (Hemant Soren) is in jail. We must intensify our fight for justice.”

Madhupur lawmaker Hasan served as minister of tourism, arts, culture and sports in the previous government.

Meanwhile, JMM's Latehar MLA Baidyanath Ram, whose name was initially included in the list of ministers, was reportedly dropped at the eleventh hour.

A close aide of Ram said his name was withdrawn after a meeting with the chief minister.

“The CM has assured him that he will be considered in future,” the aide said.

Ram could not be reached for comment.

Champai Soren, however, said talks over the twelfth minister were “still ongoing”.

Rameshwar Oraon, who was reinducted into the cabinet, previously held the finance portfolio during Hemant Soren's government.

Banna Gupta, a Congress legislator from Jamshedpur West constituency, was health minister in the previous JMM government, while Badal Patralekh held the agriculture portfolio.

Mithilesh Kumar Thakur, a JMM lawmaker from Garhwa, was previously minister of drinking water and sanitation, and Bebi Devi was minister of excise.

She contested the 2023 Dumri elections after the death of her husband Jagannath Mahto.

On February 2, Champai Soren, 67, was sworn in as the state's 12th chief minister, while senior Congress leader Alamgir Alam and RJD leader Satyanand Bhokta took oath as ministers.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) executive president Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED on January 31, soon after he resigned as chief minister.

The JMM-led alliance in the state has 47 MLAs JMM-29, Congress-17 and one of the RJDs in the 81-member assembly.

The BJP has 26 legislators and the AJSU party has three. The NCP and the CPI (ML) have one legislature each, apart from two independents. There is also a nominated member.

(Only the headline was reworked by India.com staff. The copy is from an agency feed)

Last weekend marked the start of the Year of the Wooden Dragon and a two-week celebration of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year.

Amid the age-old rituals associated with the festival, my interest was piqued by how alcoholic drinks are often a regular part of these events.

But which one should you utter during a toast?

From Baijiu – the world's best-selling spirit – to China's famous 'yellow wines', here's my guide to some authentic drinks to tantalize your taste buds.

Baijiu

The powerful, clear spirit Baijiu is more than just a drink in its home country of China; it is deeply woven into the culture and an integral part of social gatherings, where it is drunk in shots and accompanied by a hearty 'ganbei!' (cheers).

Distilled largely from sorghum and other grains, baijiu is most similar to vodka but tastes somewhere between whiskey and raki, the clear brandy that is Turkey's national drink.

The best known Baijiu styles are 'Strong' (Nong Xiang), 'Light' (Qing Xiang) and 'Sauce' (Jiang Xiang).

Strong styles are clearly funky and exotic, and are often drunk at parties.

Light aroma styles, with their relatively mild, subtly scented flavors, are often reserved for more formal occasions.

Sauce flavoring styles are so named for their rich umami, savory flavors. They are often given as gifts and symbolize respect for others, happiness, prestige and luxury.

Attempt: Fenjiu Fen Chiew Red, £36.99 (53% alcohol), amazon.co.uk

Smooth and creamy with a more sweet, sweet-sour flavor and gentle notes of baking spices in the finish, this 'light aroma' style is a great introduction to Baijiu.

Try it over ice or in a cocktail I called The Wood Dragon.

Take 35 ml Fenjiu Fen Chiew Red, 25 ml Sweet White Vermouth and 10 ml Palo Cortado sherry. Then for the wood element you will need one piece of Palo Santo wood, available on Amazon.

Add the wet ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Light the Palo Santo and collect the smoke in a glass jar.

Strain the mixed cocktail into the jar and swirl it for ten seconds before pouring it into your chilled glass.

Try: Fenjiu Zhu Ye Qing Jiu Ten Year Old Baijiu, £70 (38% ABV), milroysofsoho.com

This award-winning aged Baijiu is a little quirky with its bamboo leaf and herbal infusions, giving it a wonderfully complex profile of linden flower with coffee bean, plum, nuts and vanilla. It all continues! Drink this slowly and not too cold, so that the flavors can unfold.

Huangjiu ('Yellow Wine')

Huangjiu is similar to wine, but grain is fermented instead of grapes. In the south it is usually made from rice, a bit like Japanese Sake, while in the north millet or corn is used.

It dates back to the Shang Dynasty (ca. 1600 BC-1046 BC) and is the milder cousin of Baijiu. Huangjiu comes in many varieties, ranging from sweet to dry, and is said to have many health benefits as it contains polyphenols, nicotinic acid and vitamins E, B1 and B2.

Try: Ten Year Old Shaoxing Rice Wine, £17.99 (14% ABV), souschef.co.uk

Deep amber, this is an aromatic, premium Huangjiu. Earthy and nutty with notes of sweet oak, honey and raisins. Best served chilled on ice.

Good wine

China's winemaking scene is undergoing a renaissance. There is rapid growth in the industry, with regions such as Ningxia, Shandong and Hebei emerging as major production areas.

With a steady stream of private investment, premium wine producers like , i.e. nuances of the specific soils and climate.

Ningxia is certainly one to watch, with ambitions to grow up to 100,000 hectares of vines by 2035.

Try: Changyu-Moser XV white cabernet sauvignon, £19 (13.5% ABV), ocado.com

A collaboration between leading Chinese winery Changyu, also based in Ningxia, and the pioneering Moser family of Austria, using only the white, free-flowing juice of red Cabernet grapes in this unique white (well, slightly blushing) wine. Generous with ripe pear and cherry fruit, elegant and refreshing.

Try: Xige Estate N28 Malbec, £28.95 (14% ABV), thedrinksmith.co.uk

Lovers of high altitude, Argentine Malbec and classic burgundy wines will love this fragrant, polished wine with its violet perfume and concentrated notes of blueberry and cocoa. Absolutely delicious and beautifully packaged.