In his first decision after being sworn in, the Prime Minister approves major changes to the "Prime Minister's Scholarship Program"

New Delhi: In his first decision after being sworn in as head of government for a second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made national security an important part of elections on Friday approved a major change in the "Prime Minister's Scholarship Program" as part of the National Defense Fund .

Scholarship rates were increased from Rs. 2000 per month to Rs. 2500 per month for boys and from Rs. 2250 per month to Rs. 3000 per month for girls.

The scholarship program was extended to the wards of state police officers who were or were martyred in the terrorist attacks or of Naxal . The quota of new scholarships for wards of the state police will be 500 per year.

"The first decision of our government is dedicated to those who protect India! Major changes have been approved in the Prime Minister's scholarship program under the National Defense Fund. including improved scholarships for police commissioners who have been martyred by terror or Maoist attacks, "said Modi in a tweet later.

In the elections held just after the terrorist attack and the Balakot air strikes Pulwama Modi had repeatedly raised the problem of national security, claiming that only a government powerful under him could face the challenges of security. the country.

The National Defense Fund (NDF) was established in 1962 to support voluntary donations in cash and in kind to promote the national defense effort and to decide on its use. .

Currently, the fund is used for the well-being of members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces and the railroad protection force, as well as their dependents. The fund is administered by an executive committee composed of the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Defense, Finance and the Interior.