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Speculation is rife that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may be named for the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.
The speculation has been fuelled by the Home Ministry placing an order for five Bharat Ratna medallions.
BJP leaders have in the past demanded that the Bharat Ratna be awarded to Vajpayee.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who heads the BJP-led Government now, would take call on this and would probably announce it in his Independence Day speech.
Among others whose names are being speculated is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
A senior Home Ministry official said four days back the Government mint had been asked to make five medallions of the Bharat Ratna.
“But ordering five medallions does not mean that five persons will be bestowed with the Bharat Ratna. This is to keep an adequate number of medallions in reserve,” he said.
Besides, the Government’s rule for the Bharat Ratna is clear that the number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
The recommendation for Bharat Ratna is made by the Prime Minister himself to the President. No formal recommendation for this is necessary.
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