Narendra Modi in Karnataka highlights: Govt is open to incorporating changes into GST to improve system, says PM

Implementation of GST was a collective decision of all parties. We are open to changes to make the system better: PM

'When Gujarat was flooded, Congress ministers were sitting in Bengaluru'

"When we're fighting corruption, Congress has become insensitive. Gujarat was devastated by floods this year. But Congress leaders, instead of reaching out to people there, preferred coming to Bengaluru," says the prime minister.

'Rs 57,000 Cr from govt revenue which earlier went to the middlemen is now going directly to the rightful owner'

PM talks about Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), says it helped check corruption

In three years, we have finished 2,100 kilometres rail project, says Modi

Modi lauds BS Yedurappa on his efforts in finishing Bidar-Kalburgi rail route

PM says villages that did not have power for seven decades, now have access to electricity

Congress is good at 'atkana, latkana and bhatkana', says Modi

"We said we'll bring electricity to 18,000 houses in 1,000 days. It's not 1000 days yet and 15,000 houses have access to electricity," says Modi

'The project that should have taken three years, took 20 years'

Congress would begin projects for seeking political mileage but they would be halted in the middle, says Modi

"Congress would begin a lot of projects for seeking political mileage but then they would be halted in the middle," says Modi. BS Yedurappa was the first to come up with the rail route idea but the Congress government then halted the whole project, added Modi. For progress, we have started finishing all the pending projects, the prime minister said.

Modi to address public at Bidar shortly

Narendra Modi to address public at Bidar shortly

PM Modi inaugurates Bidar-Kalaburagi new Railway Line, flags off first train in the route

PM Modi arrives in Bidar; to inaugurate Bidar-Kalaburagi new Railway Line

Congress will have to answer for the shameless statement of their leader on the ‘azadi’ of Kashmir, that is the language of Pakistan, says Modi

P Chidambaram reacts to PM Modi’s remarks, says autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir is in Indian Constitution

Modi slams Congress, says the mindsets of Congress leaders on Kashmir explains why they had problems even with surgical strikes

Bengaluru is the land of startups, says PM

Modi focuses on heritage monuments in Mann Ki Baat speech

Amid the ongoing controversy over the historic Taj Mahal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said forts were symbols of heritage and it was the duty of all the countrymen to keep them safe and clean.

In his his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi appreciated the transformation of Chandarpur fort in Maharashtra in a 200-day cleanliness campaign and urged the people to look after their historical heritage. 

"...Forts are symbols of our heritage. And it is the duty of all to keep their historical heritage safe and clean," he said.

'Won't let India's unity and diversity be compromised at any cost,' says Modi 

Congress disconnected from country's aspirations, says Modi

Speaking at a rally in Bengaluru, Narendra Modi attacked the Congress party vociferously over P Chidambaram's comments on Kashmir. He said, "Do you remember the lies Congress was spreading on Doka La. People of India trusted them so much but such is their conduct. Congress is disconnected with the aspirations of our country."

Modi lashes out at Congress, says Chidambaram's remarks reflective of party's view of army

"Yesterday's statement of a Congress leader on Kashmir clearly shows how the party feels on surgical strikes and the bravery of our army," said Narendra Modi at the Bengaluru rally. 

'Congress is shameless', says Modi

"Congress will have to answer for the recent statement of their leaders on Kashmir. The statement was unacceptable," says Narendra Modi at Bengaluru.

Narendra Modi received by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah

Modi's schedule in Bengaluru

The prime minister will land at Bengaluru and head to the Palace grounds to attend the Dashamah Soundarya Lahari Parayanotsava Mahasarmapane where one lakh devotees will recite the 'Soundarya Lahari' composed by Adi Shankaracharya. The event has been organized for the mass chanting of these 'slokas'. 

Parking restrictions in Bengaluru for Modi's visit

Narendra Modi to head to  Krishna Vihar in Palace Grounds in Bengaluru next

For his visit, the Bengaluru traffic police have blocked various roads to divert traffic. No buses will be allowed to stop or park on the Jayamahal Road, reports News18. Buses carrying participants for various programmes will be parked inside Circus Ground and Mango Mandi parking.

Rs 57,000 crore has reached people under Direct Benefit Transfer scheme

Under the scheme Rs 57,000 crore has reached to the people, claimed prime minister Narendra Modi. "Now those middlemen don't get any money and therefore they do not like me, but we will not let this country be ruined,"he said. 

'Per drop, more crop'

Modi encourages farmers to use water conservation methods like drip irrigation and said it will ensure "Per drop, more crop". 

'Will bring down use of urea in agriculture by 50% by 2022,' says Narendra Modi

"Due to our greed, we are draining Mother Earth of her resources. We continue using pesticides, fertilisers without having a care about how the cultivated land is affected. If this continues, I don't know where we will end up. Hence, to this end, we promise to bring down urea use by half by 2022," said the prime minister at the Ujire rally.

PM promotes skill development

"Every person now is talking about skill development. In a country like India where 800 million citizens are younger than the age of 35, skill development should be a primary concern. We have the necessary manpower to fill gaps in human resource requirements around the world," says Narendra Modi. 

Narendra Modi first PM to visit Dharmasthala

Modi's visit to Dharmasthala temple comes days after Siddaramaiah's

On account of PM's visit, restricted public entry at Dharmasthala temple till 2 pm

Modi landed at the Mangaluru airport from New Delhi and flew to Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district in a helicopter.

The prime minister will be offering prayers at the Shri Manjunatha Swami Temple in Dharmasthala, which is about 100 kilometres away from the port city of Mangaluru.

On account of the Modi's visit, the temple administration has restricted public entry till 2 pm on Sunday.

Narendra Modi kickstarting BJP campaign in Karnataka ahead of next year's Assembly polls

Narendra Modi arrives in Mangaluru

Narendra Modi to inaugurate Bidar-Kalaburgi railway track

Modi is set to dedicate to the nation the 110-kilometre Bidar-Kalaburgi railway track in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region that would reduce the distance between Bengaluru and New Delhi by 380 kilometres and travel time by six to eight hours.

The new track will also provide direct rail connectivity from Bengaluru to Bidar in the state's northern region, about 690 kilometres away from the state capital.

Though foundation for the project was laid over two decades ago in 1996, its construction work began only in 2000 and dragged on for years due to meagre fund allocation by the Railway ministry.

This escalated its cost to a whopping Rs 1,542 crore from the original estimate of Rs 370 crore. Land acquisition between the towns also delayed its completion.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah miffed over last minute invite

Narendra Modi's schedule

10.15 am: Will land in Mangaluru and take a chopper to Dharmasthala. Modi will attend the darshan and puja at the Sri Manjunathaswamy Temple.

11.45 am: Modi will drive to Ujire to launch the rally of Sri Kshetra Dharamsthala Rural development project. He will also distribute RuPay cards to some of the 12-lakh Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) account holders. 

2.35 pm: The prime mininster will land at Bengaluru and head to the Palace grounds to attend a public function organised by the Vedanta Bharati. One lakh devotees will recite the Soundarya Lahari composed by Adi Shankaracharya. 

4.25 pm: Narendra Modi will leave for Bidar to dedicate the 110-kilometre Bidar-Kalaburgi railway track.

7.35 pm: Public meet at Nehru Stadium.

9.45 pm: Board plane for New Delhi. 

Narendra Modi on day-long visit to Karnataka

The prime mininster will be in Karnataka on Sunday, participating in various functions in Ujire, Bengaluru, and Bidar.

"The Prime Minister has a busy day, as he is scheduled to participate in seven-eight functions at three places across the state," an official coordinating Modi's programmes told IANS in Bengaluru.