Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will today lay the foundation stone for three highway projects worth over two thousand 300 crore rupees in Odisha. 

The projects will ensure better connectivity of the mineral-rich Angul and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha with the rest of the state. 

An official release said, Mr Gadkari, will also visit Paradip Port to inaugurate port projects worth 431 Crore rupees and lay foundation for six projects worth over three thousand crore rupees. 

The Ministry said, the projects will help in generating employment opportunities in the region and improve the socio-economic condition of the local people. The Minister will be accompanied by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The government has decided to conduct a survey of all agricultural households in the country covering the period from July 2018 to June this year. National Sample Survey Office is the nodal agency.

It will focus on their income, expenditure and indebtedness. This information was officially given in the Lok Sabha yesterday

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra is likely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate today in connection with a money laundering case. 

It relates to the alleged purchase of a London-based property worth 1.9 million pounds by Vadra. 

Last week, Delhi court had granted interim bail to Vadra in this case and had directed him to appear before the ED and cooperate in the investigation.  

The agency told the court that it had received information about Vadra's several properties in London including two houses, six flats and more properties.

Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances that led to riots in Kanpur in 1984 following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 

"The four-member SIT will be headed by retired UP Director General of Police, Atul. Other members of the team include retired District Judge Subhash Chandra Agarwal and retired Additional Director (Prosecution) Yogeshwar Krishna Srivastava. One serving police officer of SP or SSP rank will also be the part of the team.

The SIT has been asked to submit its report in 6 months.  In August 2017, the apex court had issued a notice to the state government on a petition seeking a SIT probe of the riots. 

At least 125 people were killed in 1984 riots in Kanpur after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 

India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 has been launched successfully from French Guiana in the wee hours today. The Ariane-5 rocket lifted off with it from Kourou Launch Base at 2:31 am Indian time, and in 42-minutes, placed it in the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. 

It was immediately taken control by Indian Space Research Organization ISRO scientists from its Hassan facility in Karnataka. After bringing the satellite to its final geostationary orbit using the usual orbit-raising manoeuvres in the next few days, it will be made operational.

ISRO chairman Dr Sivan has said, GSAT-31 will provide transponder capacity for DTH television and connectivity to services like VSATs for ATMs, stock-exchanges, Digital Satellite News Gathering DSNG and e-governance applications. He added, the satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications. 

"The satellite GSAT-31 has the footprint over both mainland India and her island territories. It has an operational life of over fifteen years, offering seamless services by replacing the ageing INSAT-4CR satellite. GSAT-31 is India’s fortieth communication satellite. 

Eleven such satellites are already in operation, serving the nation in space. They together make one of the largest constellations of its class in the world. As the transponder requirements are huge, more such launches are in the pipeline, as said by ISRO. GSAT-31 had a lift-off mass of 2536 kg. 

Fitch Solutions, the research arm of Fitch Group, Monday projected the government's fiscal deficit to overshoot the budgeted target by 0.2 percent to 3.6 percent of GDP in 2019-20 fiscal. It said that 2019-20 Budget appears to show a strong populist bent in the run up to the General election due by May 2019.

It is on expected lines considering that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to shore up its popularity following its loss of three strongholds in agrarian states at the November/December 2018 state legislative assembly elections, it stated.

"We believe that expenditure growth will exceed the government's projections, giving our expectation for high election spending and the budget speech's repeated emphasis that 'if necessary, additional funds will be provided'. Additionally, the government's revenue growth projections also appear too optimistic given its sweeping tax rebates for the middle class and small business," Fitch Solutions said.

Indian Banking Association has issued advisory requesting banks to waive off the processing, documentation, inspection and all other service charges for Kisan Credit Card and crop loans upto three lakhs rupees.

Agriculture Ministry in a release said, there are over 21 crore small and marginal farmers  in the country and providing them timely and affordable credit is the key to attaining inclusive growth. 

The Ministry observed, the small and Marginal farmers are the most affected during times of floods, droughts, and other natural calamities.

The Kisan Credit Card Scheme aims at providing adequate and timely credit support from the banking system to the farmers to meet the short term credit requirements for cultivation of crops, investment credit requirements for agriculture and allied activities and other needs.

The head of state of Monaco, Prince Albert II will meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today.

He arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a week-long visit to India. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will call on the visiting leader this morning.

The Head of state of Monaco will pay homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at his Samadhi in Rajghat and visit Gandhi Smriti.

Prince Albert II will also visit Udaipur in Rajasthan before heading home on Sunday.

Legendary cricketer and former India skipper Kapil Dev will flag off the 'Tridhaatu Navi Mumbai Half Marathon' on February 17th from Vashi, in Navi Mumbai. 

Well-known marathon coach and ultra-marathon athlete Norrie Williamson is the race director for the event. 

The race will be held in two categories - the half marathon run over a distance of 21.097 kms, where participants above 18 years of age can take part, while another category is the 'Future Generali 10K run, where participants above 16 years of age can participate.

Prime Minister has reiterated the government's commitment towards ensuring early detection and affordable treatment of cancer. 

In a series of  tweets on World Cancer Day on Monday, Mr Modi said, initiatives like Ayushman Bharat have a strong emphasis on providing quality healthcare and ensuring cancer-free lives. 

The Prime Minister saluted all those who are valiantly fighting cancer. 

He said, millions of people are inspired by their remarkable zeal. 

Mr Modi also appreciated those researching on aspects of cancer treatment saying that their efforts will go a long way in ensuring a healthier planet.