The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved revision of pension of Defence Forces Personnel and family pensioners under One Rank One Pension. Addressing media after the Cabinet Meeting in New Delhi, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur said that after the revision, the number of beneficiaries of Defence Forces personnel and family pensioners will go up to over 25 lakh 13 thousand from 20 lakh 60 thousand personnel at present.  He informed me that the total annual cost of this will be 8 thousand 450 crore rupees. He said, the revision will be effective from 1st of July 2019.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA,  today approved Minimum Support Prices for copra for 2023 season. Addressing media after the Cabinet Meeting,  Information and Broadcasting Minister  Anurag Singh  Thakur said , the MSP for fair average quality of milling copra has been fixed at 10 thousand 860 rupees per quintal. He said, MSP for ball copra has been fixed at 11 thousand 750 rupees per quintal. He said, this is an increase of  270 rupees per quintal for milling copra and 750 rupees per quintal for ball copra over the previous season. 

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has launched Khelo India’s new Dashboard. 

The Dashboard is inclusive of all the statistical data related to the Khelo India Scheme and the Khelo India events. It will be updated in real-time and it aims to be a unique one-stop platform for the citizens to access all the information regarding various offerings of the Khelo India Scheme. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Thakur said that easy accessibility and transparency has always been the top priority of the government and the dashboard is a step taken towards the same. He stated that information about playgrounds with geotagging is available on this dashboard as well.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur will inaugurate the National level Kabaddi championship in Udupi in Karnataka today, December 24. 

The National level Kabaddi tournament will be held under the floodlights on MGM grounds where 12 teams from different states will take part. The winner will get the Atal trophy and a prize money of one lakh rupees. 

The government has invited citizens to participate in designing a Logo for PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, representing the roots of the Robust and Accessible Healthcare system in India. The last date for submission is the 12th of January. 

Union Health Ministry said, the winner will receive a cash prize of one lakh rupees. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission is one of the largest pan-India health schemes for strengthening healthcare infrastructure. 

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry will organise a one of its kind musical event, Dance to Decarbonise, National Stadium in New Delhi today.

The Ministry has informed that the renewable energy generated through dance will be used to charge electric vehicles.

The event aims at showcasing India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 weighing against the country's growing economy, rising energy requirements, and the implementation of responsible energy sources over transformational energy systems for the future.

The Defence Acquisition Council, DAC has approved Acceptance of Necessity for 24 Capital Acquisition Proposals worth 84 thousand 328 crore rupees for the Armed Forces and Indian Coast Guard.

The decision to this effect was taken in the DAC meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday. The initiative will modernise the Armed Forces and provide substantial boost to the defence industry in achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed four cooperative documents specifically to collaborate in space exploration in the last five years. He said, the agreement with the USA is for accommodating USA instruments in India’s Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.

The Minister said, the agreement with Japan is to conduct feasibility study for a joint lunar polar exploration mission, while with UK for conducting feasibility study for collaboration in future space science missions. Dr. Singh said this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.

National Farmer's Day is being observed today to commemorate the birth anniversary of the fifth Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and his contributions towards the upliftment of farmers in the country.

On this day, awareness campaigns and drives are organised across the country to educate people about the role of farmers and their contribution to the economy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary today.

The Defence Minister said, Chaudhary Charan Singh was a highly respected farmer leader of the country who played an effective role in strengthening the farmers, labourers and other weaker sections of society.

The Minister said, Charan Singh also strengthened Indian democracy and the country will always remember his contribution.