New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released a special commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination to mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building in New Delhi. The coin, which has a diameter of 44 mm and weighs 35 grams, features the image of the Ashoka Pillar’s Lion Capital on one side and the Parliament Complex on the other. The coin is made of a quaternary alloy of 50 percent silver, 40 percent copper, 5 percent nickel and 5 percent zinc.
The Ministry of Finance had announced the launch of the coin on Thursday, saying that it would be coined at the Mint for issue under the authority of the Central Government on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The coin is not meant for general circulation, but as a collectible item for coin enthusiasts and history buffs.
The new Parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, was inaugurated by PM Modi in a grand ceremony that was attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, Chief Justice of India N V Ramana and several other dignitaries. The building, which has been designed by Gujarat-based architecture firm HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd, has a triangular shape and a seating capacity of 888 members in Lok Sabha and 384 members in Rajya Sabha.
The new Parliament building also celebrates India’s 75th year of Independence, which is being observed under the banner of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Rs 75 coin is a tribute to this historic occasion and a symbol of India’s democratic heritage and aspirations. The coin can be purchased online from the government website www.indiagovtmint.in or offline from various outlets across the country. The price and availability of the coin will be announced soon by the government.