【New Delhi】Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11 launched the 'Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas' (SVAMITVA) scheme and hailed it as a "historic move" that will transform villages in rural India. Through this scheme Modi said, no bank can deny loans to people with proper documents.

　Through a virtual video conference, PM Modi interacted with the beneficiaries of the scheme and said that it will enable people in rural areas to use property as a "financial asset" for taking loans.

　The beneficiaries of the new scheme would include 1 lakh property holders who would get "property cards" by their respective state governments, a statement by the PMO said. Modi said that "today, nearly two crore poor families in the villages have got pucca houses."

　Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Opposition which he said was advocating the interests of middlemen and peddling "lies" about his government's efforts to introduce lasting reforms in agriculture and rural development.

【Mumbai】The Shiv Sena is going to contest around 50 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, party MP Anil Desai said on October 11.

　Talking to PTI, Mr. Desai said the Shiv Sena does not have an alliance with any party for polls in the eastern state. Elections for the 243-member Bihar Assembly will be held in three phases on October 28, November 3 and November 7 and the counting of votes will take place on November 10.

【Chennai】Dravida Munetra Kazhagham (DMK) on October 11 announced an eight member committee to prepare the party's election manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections next year.