Union Cabinet expansion live: Meet predecessors, learn from their experience, PM Modi tells new ministers

As ministers, our aim should not be to instill fear but to request people to keep taking all possible precautions so that we are able to move beyond this pandemic in the times to come, PM Modi said: Sources

PM Modi stressed that powered by our Covid warriors and frontline workers, India’s fight against the global pandemic is underway with full vigour

With numbers being lesser than what they were in recent months, people may want to venture out. However, everyone must remember that the threat of Covid is far from over. Many other nations are seeing a surge in infections. The virus is also mutating, PM Modi said

PM Modi expressed concern about persistently high number of Covid cases from Maharashtra and Kerala: Sources

India's fight against Covid underway with full vigour, there should be no space for carelessness or complacency: PM Modi

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the new railway minister, has directed that all staff of the minister’s cell will work in two shifts from 7am to midnight

PM Modi advises new ministers to avoid making unnecessary statements: Sources

PM Modi asks ministers to reach office on time and channelise all their energy into ministerial work: Sources.

PM Modi tells new ministers to meet predecessors and learn from their experience: Sources

With the Covid relief package, we have ensured that India is better prepared to fight Covid in the future. The implementation will be done over the next nine months: Mansukh Mandaviya

Pediatric care centres will be formed in 736 districts. 20,000 ICU beds will be provided under the Covid relief package: Mandaviya

To avert the devastation caused by the second Covid wave, the government had announced a Rs 23,000-crore relief package. This will be allocated to the states after consultation with them: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Mandis will not be abolished under the new laws, reiterates Tomar

It has been said that Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) will no longer exist under the new farm laws. The government clarified that the Mandi system won't end; instead it will be strengthened further. In view of this, the Cabinet has approved APMC access to Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, which was announced in the Union Budget: Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar

The Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979 to bring in professionalism: Thakur

Have taken several key decisions in the Cabinet meeting today: IT minister Anurag Thakur

Ministers are briefing media after first meeting of new Cabinet

The first meeting of the new Union Cabinet is under way

Pashupati Kumar Paras takes charge as Minister of Food Processing Industries