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IAF: Guardian of the skies

MUMBAI, Oct 7: The Indian Air Force (IAF), the guardian of our skies, has zoomed to greater heights since the last seven decades of its inception and today it can claim to be one of the best in the world.....more

Talwandi walks out of PAC
meet after being cornered

CAG indicts UP Govt
for misusing funds

LUCKNOW, Oct 7: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has indicted the Uttar Pradesh Government for misusing funds worth crores of rupees in the construction of by-pass roads in the main cities of the state. .......more

CNG mishaps due to
technological lapses,
lax inspection

NEW DELHI, Oct 7: Technological lapses in CNG engine or cylinder manufacture, coupled with a....more

Computers could get on
your nerves, literally

NEW DELHI, Oct 7: Old rusty typewriters may have been replaced by sleek and gleaming computers, allowing your fingers to fly across the keyboard at a phenomenal speed of 240 strokes a minute. .......more

Prosecution to unfold
arguments on
Sanjay Dutt today

MUMBAI, Oct 7: The alleged involvement of film star Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 bomb blasts conspiracy would come into sharp focus in a designated TADA ...more

Stringent punishment for
disposal of batteries

BANGALORE, Oct 7: Concerned over the hazards caused by reckless disposal of lead/alkaline bat.....more

NDA silent over denial
of sanction for prosecution
of 100 employees

RANCHI, Oct 7: The National Democratic Alliance, which has demanded the ouster of the Rabri ......more

IAF: Guardian of the skies

The IAF was officially established on October 8, 1932 and since then has served the country in several conflicts and wars and even in peace time relief operations. Headquartered at New Delhi, the wings of the IAF, the fourth largest air force in the world, are spread across the length and breadth of the country ever ready to carry out offensive and defensive operations.

With a fleet of over 2,000 flying machines at its disposal since 1932 the IAF has come a long way. It rendered sterling services in the two India-Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971 and the recent Kargil conflict among others. The massive rescue and relief operations following the Orissa super cyclone and Gujarat earthquake stand out as fine examples of its peacetime operations.

The IAF has seven commands covering the entire country. The Western Air Command at Delhi, the Eastern Air Command at Shillong, the Central Air Command at Hyderabad, the South-Western Air Command at Gandhinagar, the Southern Air Command at Trivendrum, the Training Command at Bangalore and Maintenance Command at Nagpur.

The IAFH has a unique mix of aircraft. The latest to join is the two-seat multirole fighter Sukhoi-30. Some of the other aircraft are the Russian multirole fighter MiG 21 (BIS, FL, M, MF, U) variable geometry ground support aircraft MiG 23 (BN, MF, U) light altitude strategic reconnaissance MiG 25 (R, RU) variable geometry ground attack aircraft MiG 27, air superiority fighter MiG 29 (B, UB) deep penetration strike aircraft Jaguar (IS, IM, IB) Air Defence and Multirole Fighter Dassault Mirage 2000 (H, TH) fighter ground attack aircraft BA-hawker Hunter F-56A and tactical bomber and interdictor Bae Canberra.

The transport aircraft in service include military airlift transport Antonov AN-12 tactical transport aircraft Antonov AN-32 VIP passenger transport Boeing 737 heavy airlift freighter Illushin IL-76 military transport and freighter Hal/BAE (Avro) 748m and logistic air support and staff transport Hal-Dornier 228-201.

The helicopters that are serving this formidable force include light utility helicopter HAL/Aerospatiale Aloutte III (Chetak) HAL/Aerospatiale SA 315b Lama (Cheetak) multi-role transport heptrs MIL MI8/17 tactical gunship helicopter MIL 25/35 and heavy transport helicopter MIL MI-26.

True to the motto — ‘Nabha Sparsham Deepatam’ (touch the sky with glory) — the Indian Air Force since the five decades of independence has emerged as a professional force. With the changing times, the IAF has also oriented itself to the changed security scenario.

Ranging from air defence of the nation to providing reconnaissance, battle field air strikes and counter air operations during hostilities, the responsibilities of the IAF are multifarious. It also shoulders the peacetime responsibilities like aid to civil authorities during natural calamities and moving of personnel in maintaining law and order. It also meets the requirements of troops guarding our border outposts in high ranges of Himalayas, the deserts of rajasthan and the inaccessible regions of north-east.

The ‘Ops Safed Sagar’ of 1999 in which the IAF played a decisive role in dislodging the enemy from the daunting and difficult heights of Kargil, provides ample testimony to the predominant role that air power will play in any future conflict. According to archives and library references, the origin of the IAF can be traced to the recommendation of the committee chaired by Sir Andrew Skeen (then Chief of General Staff) constituted in 1925. As a follow up of the report, the iaf came into being in 1932 and the first unit of the IAF — the number one squadron was formed ion April 1, 1933 at drigh road airfield in Karachi. During the World War II it gained prominence and squadrons too increased to add to its fighting capabilities. (UNI)

Talwandi walks out of PAC meet after being cornered

CHANDIGARH, Oct 7: In a surprising development in Akali politics, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president and Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) disciplinary action committee chairman Jagdev Singh Talwandi today walked out of the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting here amid allegations and counter allegations.

Mr Talwandi opted to walk out of the meeting after SAD president Parkash Singh Badal acknowledged certain allegations levelled against the SGPC chief of issuing false statements to the media against party vice president Gurdev Singh Badal and secretary Kirpal Singh Badungar, party sources here told UNI after the meeting was over.

Raising the issue in the meeting, Mr Badungar criticised Mr Talwandi for giving statements against him and Mr Gurdev Singh Badal that they had been going to self-styled saint Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala, presently arrested on the charges of possessing some damaged pages of the sacrileged ‘beer’ of Guru Granth Sahib.

It may be recalled that both Mr Badungar and Mr Gurdev Singh Badal had recently issued clarifications that they were not having any affiliation with Baba Piara Singh.

Mr Talwandi rose from his seat after he was cornered by Parkash Singh Badal, Gurdev Singh Badal and Mr Badungar, a senior party leader and PAC member said after the meeting.

Mr Talwandi came out of the PAC meeting twenty minutes after it began but was taken back inside the closed room by the Chief Minister’s political advisor.

The SGPC chief walked out for the second time and ultimately left the venue, while the meeting continued for over an hour after his quitting.

Mr Talwandi refused to talk to the press on the issue, while coming out by saying that he had some important work out of the city.

Even as there was no formal media briefing after the PAC meeting, SAD general secretary Kanwaljit Singh told reporters that the Congress had conspired a dirty game of politics against them (the Akalis) as the Punjab elections were nearing.

He alleged that the Congress was behind the incidents of the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. (UNI)

CAG indicts UP Govt for misusing funds

These by-pass roads were meant to ease out the growing traffic congestion and road blockades.

Improper surveys, delayed execution of works, poor planning and lack of monitoring in the construction of by-pass roads in Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra, Lucknow and other big cities had made the exchequer dearer by more than Rs 43 crore.

According to the CAG report tabled in the State Assembly recently, delayed execution of works resulted in a cost over-run of Rs 24.60 crore and time over-run from five to 27 years. Besides, poor planning and lack of monitoring at all levels had resulted in idle investment of Rs 9.61 crore, execution of sub-standard work worth Rs 1.46 crore as well as non-collection of toll-tax amounting to Rs 2.20 crore.

The report further said that the State Government’s improper survey resulted in avoidable extra expenditure of Rs 3.44 crore on acquisition of land and extra expenditure of Rs 2.29 crore on construction of two-bridges due to inordinate delay in finalisation of executing agencies.

The CAG, in its report, pointed out that idle investment of Rs five crore was detected due to the incomplete work of Muzaffarnagar by-pass while an investment of Rs 1.44 crore remained idle since October 1986 apart from excess payment of Rs 10.55 lakh towards cost of land with respect to Etawah bypass.

Payment of Rs 1.46 crore was made for Faizabad bypass despite sub-standard work being carried out following the installation of the hot mix plant at a farther distance. Besides, excess payment of Rs 15.14 lakh on account of cost of land, due to improper survey, had been made. A royalty of Rs 21.37 lakh was not recovered from the contractor, the report added.

Under- assessment of cost of land while preparing estimates for land acquisition indicated extra expenditure of Rs 3.44 crore with respect to Hapur by-pass while avoidable expenditure of Rs 1.75 crore was incurred on the construction of Sarayan bridge on Sitapur by-pass due to improper planning and inordinate delay in the finalisation of the executing agency.

The report further said that failure to provide protection works on the high embankment on Kanpur by-pass resulted in the soil getting washed away, causing danger to traffic. While the extent of loss due to washed-away soil could not be assessed for want of records, an avoidable expenditure of Rs 30.58 lakh had to be incurred on restoration work.

The CAG report pointed out that an expenditure of Rs 3.17 crore for the construction of the Lalitpur bypass remained idle due to non-completion of the bridge on Shahzad River. Besides, an extra burden of Rs 53.86 lakh had to be incurred on the construction of the bridge due to abnormal delay in finalising the executing agency. The cost was likely to go up further since the date of completion of the bridge alongwith approach roads was revised uptil March 2002. (UNI)

CNG mishaps due to technological lapses, lax inspection

NEW DELHI, Oct 7: Technological lapses in CNG engine or cylinder manufacture, coupled with a lack of a concrete inspection programme and safeguards for such vehicles, caused the recent incidents of CNG buses catching fire in the capital.

"The recent fire accidents involving CNG buses, a majority of which have been caused by leakage of gas or rupture of the cylinder either in transit or at storage and distribution centres, have occurred because most engine and cylinder manufacturers do not use the advanced ignition and fuel injection systems required for the efficient operation of such vehicles," says Mr Dinesh Parashar, a technologist.

Contrary to popular perception that the risk of fire associated with cng is lower in case of a leak, when compared to that in case of petrol or diesel, the probability of damage in a CNG bus is higher in case of accidental fire caused by a leak. This was evident in the most recent incident of a CNG bus catching fire, where the fire led to the destruction of the entire bus.

According to Mr I H Zuberi, an engineer with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation,"though as a fuel, CNG is lighter than petrol and diesel, the density difference between the air-fuel mixture in a CNG vehicle is smaller compared to that in the petrol and diesel vehicles. This makes it difficult for the gas to escape from the engine chamber in case of a leak."

In this context, it is necessary for engine manufacturers in India to use ignition standards measuring upto the international standards. This is because, the installation in the vehicle of a substandard ignition system could trigger ignition of the inflammable mixture of the air and fuel in case of a CNG vehicle, he says, he says.

However, while the modern practice worldwide is to meter and inject CNG into the manifold through single point and multi-point injection, similar to the electronic injection in petrol-driven vehicles, such a system is not yet being used in India.

Most of the CNG bus manufacturers in India are producing engines based on a stoichiometric air-fuel mixture and three-way catalytic convertors designed for natural gas to control the level of pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

"These engines use mechanical air-fuel proportioning and mixing systems with electronic trim of the air-fuel ratio by means of a feedback from an exhaust lambda sensor. While the use of such systems would reduce the level of pollutants in the short term, in the long term, it would be better to use sophisticated, digital electronic natural gas injection systems which would make possible even lower level of polutants,"Mr Parashar says.

Further, a survey conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shown that the cng engines being produced by both TELCO and Ashok Leyland, the chief manufacturers of CNG buses in india at present, use conventional ignition systems with mechanical distributors.

According to the CSE, such systems are not likely to give satisfactory service in the long term. For example, if an ignition problem develops in these systems, it is likely to lead to misfire in one or more cylinders, which in turn is likely to damage the catalytic convertor.

"Distributor ignition systems, containing high voltage ignition wires, have proved to be trouble spots for heavy duty engines in other countries. There for ensuring complete safety of these engines, it is necessary to equip them with an all electronic, distributorless ignition systems, preferable of the coil-on-plug design, to eliminate the inflammatory high-voltage wires,"the CSE says.

Also, in countries like the US and Europe, it is common to use lean-burn engines in CNG vehicles. This is because these engines exhibit greater power output and fuel efficiency than the stoichiometric engines being used for Indian buses.

According to a survey conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) few bus manufacturers in India are presently capable of maintaining such advanced systems.

"The use of conventional ignition systems, which makes the CNG buses highly-prone to fire accidents, make it all the more necessary to put into place a proper system for regular inspection of CNG cylinders and engines. This is moreso since India is new to CNG use," Mr Parashar says.

However, the CSE survey reveals that no provisions have been defined in the existing regulations for inspection of in-use buses after conversion to CNG. In fact some conversions evaluated by the CSE showed seriously deficient installations. (UNI)

Computers could get on your nerves, literally

NEW DELHI, Oct 7: Old rusty typewriters may have been replaced by sleek and gleaming computers, allowing your fingers to fly across the keyboard at a phenomenal speed of 240 strokes a minute.

But you may be courting a serious neurological disorder in the process, besides impairing your vision, warn doctors.

As advanced technologies breed sophisticated maladies, more and more white collar professionals, assembly line workers and students are not only disappearing behind thick glasses but also experiencing numbness in fingers and shooting pain in shoulder blades.

Doctors have given it the name of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

While the ultra-violet rays that bounce off the screen have the potential to damage sensitive retina as much as the sun’s rays, the furious pounding at tiny keyboards can even permanently immobilise your hands, in extreme cases, says Dr Vijay Sheel Kumar, a reputed neurosurgeon at the Apollo Hospital here.

CTS, one of the most commonly known Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs), is so called because the pain begins in the wrist (or the muscular capsule) and then spreads until it reaches the shoulder and neck. The pain is severe and can even lead to formation of a ganglion.

The most important symptoms of CTS are numbness, tingling and pain in fingers (except the little finger) and hands upon wakening in the morning, weak hands and a tendency to drop objects. Once CTS has progressed beyond a certain point, it may require surgery to correct the problem.

The carpal tunnel in the wrist is formed by bone on three sides with the transverse ligament stretching across the top of the tunnel. Running through the carpal tunnel are the tendons that control fingers and thumb and the median nerve which carries sensation to the thumb, middle and index fingers as well as part of the ring finger, explains the doctor.

"Much like stepping on a garden hose will slow the flow of wat and around the carpal tunnel results in a slower transmission of nerve signals through this tunnel," says Dr Kumar. In the early stages, this compression on the swollen nerve causes pins and needles sensation. In severe cases, muscles at the base of the thumb may atrophy and hand functions permanently impaired.

One of the first treatments suggested consists resting and splinting the wrists at night for one to two weeks. In some cases this treatment is satisfactory however in most cases, this only provides temporary relief.

Dr Kumar, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons who has set up a state-of-the-art pain clinic, says carpal tunnel release can be done by endoscopy, cutting into the ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve. In most cases, relief is almost immediate. The procedure is surgery and does not require overnight stay.

The CTS victims till recently were meat packers who had to slice scores of carcasses everyday, or auto workers who had to drive the same screws hour after hour. Today the victims are white collar professionals and clerical workers - scribes racing against the clock to meet deadlines, airline personnel spending endless hours checking reservations, secretaries typing out notes in plush cabins of corporate offices, telephone reservationists, cashiers and word processors.

While schools may encourage their pupils to grow up computer-savvy, the big culprits are software games that become a kind of chewing gum for eyes, says the doctor. Once hooked, kids can play for hours with an addictive compulsion. The psychological high is confined not only to the kids even sane adults are turning into computer junkies spending hours playing sedentary golf, tennis, chess or simply shooting down enemies.

Working with screens is more demanding than simply banging on a typewriter, because the variety of activities involved exhaust the body organism faster. Computer users may position their hands over t keyboard with the sensitive wrist cocked upward or downward, compressing the tendons, ligaments and nerves that run through its narrow confines whereas on a typewriter the workers are forced to pause many a time to move the carriage or change the paper.

Since the early 90s, the incidence of Repetitive Injuries (RSI) has become the largest category of reported worker illness and injury, forcing both the professionals and workers to sue computer manufacturers like IBM, Apple Computers and ATT.

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, repetitive injuries resulted in the longest median absences from work (17 days) of any frequent type of work-related injury and cost the country billions of dollars in health care and lost productivity.

The American Public Health Association estimates that more than 775,000 workers suffered RSI in 1995. A group of harvard physicians estimated that the number of people suffering from RSI in 1998 to be as high as 2.8 million.

The monster chip is here to stay and proprietors on both the sides of the Atlantic are hastening to comply with new labour legislation covering everything from lighting and user-friendly office furnishings to repeated breaks for stressed-out employees and "ergonomically correct" computer accessories to ward off the technology-induced ailment. (UNI)

Prosecution to unfold arguments on Sanjay Dutt today

MUMBAI, Oct 7: The alleged involvement of film star Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 bomb blasts conspiracy would come into sharp focus in a designated TADA court here tomorrow, when the prosecution would unfold its argument on the role played by him.

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam would submit arguments on the alleged nexus of the film star with prime conspirators of the serial explosions which shattered the metropolis on March 12, 1993, killing 257 persons and injuring 713.

Dutt is in USA shooting for a film ‘kaante’. The judge P D Kode has directed him to remain present tomorrow. The actor shall be represented by his lawyers Satish Maneshinde and Farhana Shah.

Dutt is charged with possessing a terrorist weapon in notified area under TADA (P) Act. According to prosecution, conspirators of serial blasts allegedly received arms and ammunition from Pakistan.

Accused, led by Baba Chavan, visited the Bandra residence of Dutt in a vehicle laden with arms at the instance of absconding accused Abu Salem, close lieutenant of Dawood Ibrahim.

Dutt kept with him an AK-56 rifle and told the co-accused to take away rest of the arms. The weapons were then transported from his residential bungalow to the house of co-accused Zebunisa Kazi.

After their arrest in april 1993, Samir Hingora and Hanif Kadawala confessed that arms were taken to Sanjay Dutt’s residence.

Dutt, who was in mauritus for a film shoot, denied the allegations. Before arriving in Mumbai, Dutt allegedly instructed his friends on telephone to pick up the weapon from his house and destroy it. Accordingly, it was destroyed in a foundry.

Four accused, who helped in destroying the weapon, are also facing the trial. They are Ajay Marwah, Roosi Mulla, Adayania and Yusuf Nullwalla.

The prosecution has examined a police guard who was posted at Dutt’s residence when the accused had visited the actor’s place in a vehicle laden with arms and ammunition.

The cop did not fully support the prosecutions case. But he has not been declared hostile.

The prosecution has also produced a document of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) to show that a telephone call was made from sanjay dutt’s residence to Anees Ibrahim, prime conspirators and brother of Dawood Ibrahim, in Dubai.

As a corroborative piece of evidence, a telephone directory of Dubai has also been produced to show that the telephone was registered in the name of Anees Ibrahim. (PTI)

Stringent punishment for disposal of batteries

BANGALORE, Oct 7: Concerned over the hazards caused by reckless disposal of lead/alkaline batteries, the Union Government has brought their management and handling under the Environment (Protection) Act providing for stringent punishment.

The rules — Batteries (management and handling) Rules 2001 —notified by the Centre would cover from manufacturer to consumer of batteries.

Those contravening the rules would be punishable with imprisonment for a term which might extend to five years with fine which might extend to Rs one lakh or with both, official sources told UNI.

If the contravention continued, the rules also provide for extending the conviction upto seven year.

Under the rules, if the offence was committed by a company, "every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was directly in charge of and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punish accordingly."

The sources said that lead, a heavy metal, does not get dissolved easily and if it entered the human system, it could cause harm to the body. "It is a serious hazard to humans and could affect the body. The emphasis on use of unleaded petrol was a fallout of studies about the impact of lead on human body."

The rules had fixed responsibilities on manufacturer, importer, assembler and reconditioner. It was mandatory for them to collect the used batteries against new batteries sold excluding those sold to original equipment manufacturers and bulk consumers. They also have the responsibility to ensure that the used batteries collected back were of similar type and specification as that of the new batteries.

Among others, they had to ensure that used batteries collected were sent only to the registered recyclers and no damage to the environment occurred during transportation.

Under the rules, the consumer should deposit the battery with the dealer/manufacturer/registered recycler/importer/reconditioner or at the designated collection centres.

The State Pollution Control Boards are the authorities entrusted with the responsibility of compliance of the provisions. They should file an annual compliance report to the Central Pollution Control Board by April 30 every year.

The Central Pollution Control Board should publish the data every year and review the compliance of the rules periodically to improve the collection and recycling of the used lead batteries and apprise the Environment Ministry. (UNI)