Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at the Kumbh Mela where he offered prayers by the Ganga, soon after he launched the government's ambitious income-transfer scheme.
At the Kumbh, the prime minister participated in the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar event, organized by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. He will distribute the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar awards to 'Safai karmacharis' (sanitation employees), 'swachhagrahis', police personnel and 'naviks' (boatmen). "There will also be the digital announcement of Swachh Seva Samman Benefits package," said the statement issued by Prime Minister's Office. PM will later address the gathering.
The Prime Minister was seen stepping into the water as he offered prayers at Kumbh Mela and later performed an 'Aarthi' at the Triveni.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) was at a farmers' rally, earlier in the day, in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur. It is the cash-transfer scheme for small and marginal farmers. It is a major populist step by the Modi government to offset a challenging spell of rural crisis brought on by unprofitable sales of farm commodities.
