India will start supplying COVID-19 vaccines from today, paving the way for many mid- and lower-income countries to get supplies of the easy-to-store vaccine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  in a tweet,  said, India is deeply honoured to be a long-trusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community.

In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs said, Government of India has received several requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries.

In response to these requests, and in keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of humanity fight the Covid pandemic, supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles will begin from today.

The Ministry said, in respect of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, India is awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances.

The Ministry said, the immunization programme is being implemented in India, as in other countries, in a phased manner to cover the healthcare providers, frontline workers and the most vulnerable.

Keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply COVID-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner.

It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad.

Prior to the delivery of vaccines, a two day training programme, covering administrative and operational aspects began today for immunization managers, cold chain officers, communication officers and data managers of the recipient countries, both at national and provincial levels.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release financial assistance of around 2,691 crore rupees to over 6 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri aawas yojna – gramin (PMAY-G) today through video conferencing. He is also likely to speak to some beneficiaries on the occasion.

Union Rural Development Minister and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh will also be present in the function. The assistance would include release of first installment to 5.30 lakh beneficiaries and second installment to 80 thousand beneficiaries who have already availed first installment of assistance under PMAY-G.

AIR  correspondent reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to speak to a woman named Rajkumari of Khoh village of Chitrakoot district of Bundelkhand area in the state. With a click by Prime Minister, 5044 beneficiaries will be financially benefited in Chitrakoot district.

Uttar Pradesh bagged 9 national awards, which was the highest last year in different categories, for the excellent implementation of the scheme by the Union rural development ministry. So far 1.26 crore houses have already been built across the country under PMAY-G, which was launched on 20th November, 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Along with the financial grant, the beneficiaries will also be provided unskilled labour wages, under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and will also be getting an assistance of Rs. 12,000 for the construction of toilets, through Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin.