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Independence Day: From ramparts of Red Fort, PM Modi to set agenda for 2019 Lok Sabha polls; focus on Ayushman Bharat

Sources said Modi is likely to announce the launch of the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) on a pilot basis in some states.

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PM Modi delivers his address during 71st Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi on August 15, 2017, PTI
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today address the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 72nd Independence Day, his fifth speech after the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014. This will be Modi's last Independence Day speech in this term. 

The Prime Minister had recently sought ideas from people for his Independence Day speech, a practice he has followed for the past three years.

For the past three years, Modi has invited ideas and suggestions directly from people.

According to MyGov.in, PM Modi will pick up some of the ideas in his speech. Some of the suggestions already received on the website include the ones on cases of rape, open defecation, reservation system and education.

Sources said Modi is likely to announce the launch of the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) on a pilot basis in some states on the occasion of Independence Day, with the full-scale roll-out of his pet project expected in September end, sources said.

Ayushman Bharat-NHPS

The ambitious Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) aims to provide a coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families. 

The scheme will target poor, deprived rural families and identified occupational category of urban workers' families, 8.03 crore in rural and 2.33 crore in urban areas, as per the latest SECC data, and will cover around 50 crore people.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will talk about the scheme in his Independence Day speech and is also likely to announce its launch on a pilot basis in some states today," a government official said.

While Punjab, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi are yet to come on board, Odisha has refused to be a part of the scheme, the official said.

According to the official, as many as 22 states have preferred to run the scheme on "trust model". 

Guard of Honour

For the 72nd Independence Day celebrations, the Navy is the coordinating service. The Guard of Honour will be commanded by Commander PR Jagan Mohan of the Indian Navy.

The Army Contingent will be commanded by Major Suraj Pal, the Navy contingent by Lt Cdr MYV Tejas, while Squadron Leader Praveen Narayan will lead the Air Force contingent. The Delhi Police contingent will be led by ACP Jagdev Singh Yadav, a Defence Ministry statement said. 

Red Fort Security

A cordon of tight security, including NSG snipers, elite SWAT commandos, kite catchers, over 500 CCTV cameras and thousands of security personnel, have been thrown around the Red Fort, where PM Modi will address the nation .

"This year, intelligence agencies have not issued any specific alerts about any specific terror organisation planning to target the national capital. However, the threat is there from all terror outfits and we have to be alert, especially during this time," a senior police officer said.

While nearly 70,000 Delhi Police personnel are guarding the national capital, close to 10,000 cops have been deployed in the Mughal-era fort, which will see the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people during the PM's address today.

Delhi Police personnel have been specifically asked to keep an eye on the sky to ensure that no stray kites are seen in the areas around the Red Fort.

Last year, when the Prime Minister was addressing the nation on Independence Day, a black kite had landed below the podium.
The kite landed quietly without causing any disturbance and the prime minister had continued his address unfazed.

Over 500 CCTV cameras have been installed on the routes leading to the Red Fort with over 200 cameras in the fort itself. The footage is being monitored round the clock, police said.

This time, 36 women personnel of the Delhi Police Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit will also be guarding the venue with their male counterparts.

Delhi Police has already prohibited aerial activities, including para-gliding, flying UAVs and hot air balloons, across the city.
The buildings facing the Red Fort will be secured by police and paramilitary personnel.

Delhi Metro 

While Metro services will run as per schedule on Wednesday, services on Violet Line will begin early to facilitate movement of people who wish to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, the DMRC said today.

The Violet Line connects Escorts Mujesar in Faridabad to Kashmere Gate in Old Delhi. The Violet Line IS one of the busiest corridors of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

"Metro services will be available from 4.30 am today from Escorts Mujesar-Kashmere Gate to facilitate movement of people," a senior DMRC official said.

The nearest metro station for Red Fort is Lal Quila.

In an advisory, the DMRC has also said that train services will run as usual across the entire network on Independence Day (August 15). However, entry/exit at four stations of Line-6 (Kashmere Gate to Escorts Mujesar) -- Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and ITO will be permitted from select entry/exit gates during the function.

Some gates will be closed at these stations owing to security considerations during this period.

(With PTI inputs) 

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