NEW DELHI, July 19:
Pressing ahead with its policy to promote domestic military industry, the Government today cleared procurement proposals worth over Rs 21,000 crore and also okayed a project for the production of transport aircraft which is open only to Indian private sector companies.
Among the major proposals to receive approval is a Rs 9,000 crore tender to provide five fleet support ships for the Navy, for which the Request for Proposal (RFP) would be issued to all public and private sector shipyards, Defence Ministry officials said.
The majority of the proposals cleared would involve only Indian public and private sector firms and are aimed at increasing the indigenisation of military hardware, they added.
Chairing his first meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said, “There are many proposals in the pipeline for the defence forces and, today, we have tried to expedite quite a few of them.”
Thus, a proposal for supply of 32 HAL-built Advanced Light Helicopter, ‘Dhruv’, to the Coast Guard and the Navy at a cost of Rs 7,000 crore was also okayed, officials said.
Under the proposal, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will supply 16 helicopters each to the Coast Guard and the Navy and also provide maintenance for the machines to ensure the “highest level of operational maintenance and efficiency”.
DAC also cleared an IAF proposal for issuance of a tender for construction of 56 transport aircraft by private industry players to replace the force’s fleet of Avro aircraft, they said.
“This is going to be a significant project in which the private sector would be the sole player and lead to capacity- building in the private sector,” Jaitley said in reference to the tender for replacing the Avro aircraft.
As per the proposal, private Indian defence companies such as Tata and Mahindra would be issued tender and they would build the aircraft in partnership with foreign firms.
The proposal was stuck under the previous UPA Government after the then Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel wrote to the Defence Ministry against the decision to keep out public sector firms from the project.
Defence Ministry had referred the matter to the Law Ministry, which opined in favour of the proposal for capacity- building in the domestic aerospace sector, Ministry officials said, adding that the tender would be issued soon.
Under the project, which was cleared earlier and is expected to cost over Rs 20,000 crore, the first 16 aircraft would be built at the facilities of the foreign vendor while the remaining 40 aircraft would be manufactured in India.
This would be the first time that the private sector would be allowed to manufacture a complete aircraft without participation of the public sector HAL, the only aerospace firm in the country.
The meeting also cleared the procurement of five Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) each for the Coast Guard at the cost of Rs 2,360 crore.
The FPVs and OPVs would be built by the state-owned GRSE and Goa Shipyards Ltd, respectively, Ministry officials said.
A proposal to procure Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment for the three services at a cost of Rs 900 crore, too, received the green light.
The last meeting of the DAC was held on February 24 under the then Defence Minister AK Antony.
The NDA Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is stressing on indigenisation of the military industry given that India has to import 70 per cent of its defence hardware.
In its first few days in office, the Modi Government has hiked the FDI limit in defence to 49 per cent from the earlier 26 per cent and significantly pruned the list of defence items whose production requires manufacturing licenses. (PTI)
DM clears Rs 21,000 cr proposals
Kichloo denies report of lobbying for PDP ticket
Excelsior Correspondent
Kishtwar, July 19: Minister of State for Industries & Commerce, Home, H&UD, R&B and Mechanical Engineering Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo today refuted the report that he was lobbying for PDP ticket from Kishtwar constituency.
In a press statement issued today, Kichloo said that the report is baseless and concocted and has no relevance. He said that like his late father, he always believe in the leadership of National Conference, adding that he will always work as a true party soldier who will continue to work for the upliftment of poor masses of state and particularly for the betterment and welfare of the people of Kishtwar district.
He said that Kichloo family is among the founder members of the National Conference right from plebiscite movement, adding that his joining PDP is likely Chief Minister Omar Abdullah joining the new party. He said that PDP has no base in Kishtwar District and termed the PDP as sinking ship.
Commendable work done in last over five years by coalition Govt: Khan
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 19: Highlighting the achievements of NC-Congress coalition Government in the State, Former Health Minister and MLA Rajouri, Shabir Ahmed Khan today said previous five years of transparent and pro-people governance in the State have provided ample proof about the commendable work done in these years in the sectors of power generation, tourism, roads, health and education.
While addressing a huge gathering here at Dheriralyote, Khan said the motto of his party (Congress) is to establish a link between people of far-flung areas and Government. He said that due attention is being paid for the infrastructural development especially in far-flung, hilly and neglected areas of State and his constituency as well.
He said that during his tenure as MoS for Power, the separation of Akhnoor-Jourian HT/LT line from Rajouri-Poonch gave a sigh of relief to the public of Rajouri and Poonch during the peak hours. Besides, installation of almost 100 transformers of capacity 25KV in Manjakote block of his constituency made various hamlets electrified, which were devoid of electricity, he added.
Congratulating the people regarding the recent declaration of RBA status to the area, the MLA Rajouri said it is not to enjoy the supremacy but it is just to uplift the people who are having meager resources for getting better education, better health facilities and good standard of living.
Earlier, Khan took stock of various developmental works in the area including construction of bridge at Dheriralyote and construction of 9 km long PMGSY Road which connects Dabrote, Dreri, Patrara and Dheriralyote area. He also asked the concerned engineers to expedite the pace of work on both projects.
On the demand of public, Khan also announced a Bore well for proper water supply and issued on spot directions to X-En Ground Water for starting the work of the same by tomorrow.
Gautam elected president of Lions Club Jammu Royal
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: Lion Gautam Singh Jamwal is the new president of Lions Club Jammu Royal for the year 2014-15.
He was elected for the post in Club’s annual general meeting held on last Friday under the chairmanship of Lion Inderpal Singh.
The meeting also elected Lion Ajay Kapoor and Lion Rajesh as general secretary and treasurer of the Club, respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected president assured the house that he will work with utmost dedication in promoting goodwill among the masses and undertake various service projects in the field of Eye care & Cataract surgery, community services, woman safety and child care.
HM for roadmap on internal security
NEW DELHI, July 19:
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today issued direction for preparation of a holistic road-map on key internal security issues, including Left Wing Extremism, Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast, in a time-bound manner.
At a high-level meeting, attended by top officers of the security establishment and intelligence agencies, Singh reviewed the entire gamut of the internal security scenario, activities of terrorist organisations, cross-border terrorism besides others.
Official sources said violence perpetrated by Maoists, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeastern region have also come under intense discussions.
Singh directed the security officials to prepare a road-map on all these key issues in a time-bound manner and suggest ways to deal with them.
Singh was briefed about the problems along the international border like infiltration and how to resolve them.
The Home Minister took stock of the Left Wing Extremism, which is now considered the biggest security challenge for the country, and the areas where the menace is serious and how to tackle it.
Functioning of paramilitary organisations also came up for discussion and officials told him that eight lakh personnel of the paramilitary organisations are currently deployed for various internal security duties. (PTI)
Railway team inspects Udhampur-Katra track
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 19: To detect the snag that occurred in tunnel number 27 sticking Shri Shakti Express on last Wednesday, a high-level team constituted by Railway Ministry today conducted a detailed inspection of the Udhampur-Katra rail track.
The team, led by Divisional Railway Manager Ferozpur Division N C Goel inspected the track by using a motor trolley from Katra towards Udhampur.
It may be recalled that within forty eight hours of its formal start, the Shree Shakti Express train got stuck at tunnel number .27 for two hours on Wednesday morning following which the Railway Ministry had constituted a highly level inspection team to submit a detailed factual report regarding problem in the tunnel.
According to a spokesperson of Northern Railway, the team conducted the detailed survey and it will submit its report to the Chairman Railway Board within shortest possible time for ensuring safety and security of the pilgrims travelling in various trains on this route.
Sumbli asks budding artists to give connect to all performing art forms
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: While terming Jammu as the emerging significant future hub of performing arts in view of the growing passion for theatre in the upcoming generation, Bhasha Sumbli, noted young theatre artist and NSD graduate today suggested that budding generation should be given a connect to the various performing art forms of the nation.
Quoting extensively from her own experiences with different performing art forms across the country, she stressed upon the need for the future performing artists to be skilled in such varied disciplines of the body and the mind.
Bhasha Sumbli, while talking to media persons, said she herself benefitted immensely by learning the Chhattisgarghi folk form Pandwani, clowning and stunt form Circus, Odiya and Kerala martial art forms Chhau and Kalaripayattu, as well as the 3000 year old ancient classical Indian acting form Kudiyattam besides various Western acting methodologies. “I was amazed when I saw artists in China and Pakistan interested in knowing such Indian diversified art forms that they wished to experiment with in fusion with their contemporary respective genres,” she added and shared experiences of her international performances with Chinese and Pakistani counterparts during the 7th Asian Theatre Education Council summit in Beijing and NAPA International theatre Festival, Karachi this year.
Bhasha Sumbli, further informed that she is presently undergoing intense advance ‘Kudiyattam’ training in Kerala under the internationally acclaimed master G Venu, with the ambitious project of presenting an ancient Greek text in this form. She will travel along with this performance and put up a special show for Jammuites.
Bhasha Sumbli was flanked by her fellow Chinese theatre personality, Fang Sipei, a Graduate from the prestigious Central Academy of Drama, Beijing, who is in town for her theatre tour, besides fellow NSD actor Sunil Soni.
71% reduction in violence merits AFSPA revocation: NC
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 19: National Conference has reiterated its demand for the revocation of AFSPA and said that an unprecedented 71% reduction in incidents of armed violence from 2008 till date merits the revocation of the Act from the State.
Speaking to his colleagues, senior party activists, office bearers and party workers at NC Headquarters at Nawa-e-Subah Complex in Srinagar, NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said that the Omar Abdullah Government had achieved tremendous success in bringing down violence in the State despite all odds and challenges. He said that this reduction was mainly due to the policies of reconciliation and rehabilitation heralded by Omar Abdullah for the last five and a half years.
“The youth have responded to Omar Abdullah’s outreach and empathy by joining him midway in renouncing violence and making initiatives of reconciliation successful. The 71% reduction in armed violence is a clear indicator of the increasing normalcy in the State which has come about due to sustained efforts of political reconciliation, good-governance and an increasing positivity in the political narrative of the State”, the NC general secretary said.
Demanding the phase-wise revocation of AFSPA, NC general secretary said that it was very important to augment the spirit of reconciliation by ensuring that the common man reaps the political dividends of normalcy. “This to a great extent has happened within the State through unprecedented good governance, record tourism inflow and a very positive growth in the economic parameters in the State like the GSDP and per-capita income which have increased to all-time highs. Now the Central Government needs to understand that the most important dividend of normalcy that it can offer to the common man in J&K is the revocation of AFSPA and Disturbed Areas Act enacted in the State by then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed”, Sagar said.
He said that it was the Omar Abdullah Government that ensured the dismantling of hundreds of military bunkers that were turned into concrete structures by the previous PDP Government. “Hundreds of bunkers were dismantled and removed from our roads. Hundreds of schools, Government buildings, hospitals and hotels were vacated from the occupation of security forces. This has provided an enormous impetus to the tourism industry and has also upheld the tenets of justice and rights of property of the citizens of J&K”, Sagar said.
Sagar said that Omar Abdullah had always highlighted the need for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for J&K to investigate incidents and allegations of human rights violations including the mass massacres and genocides during Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s tenure as the Home Minister of India, irregardless of who the alleged perpetrators are. “In the same spirit, Omar Abdullah ensured the passage of the Rehabilitation Bill in the Legislative Assembly despite tremendous opposition by PDP. This was done to facilitate the return of young men who had crossed over the Line of Control and were not involved in acts of militancy. The success of this initiative can be measured by the fact that more than 300 young men have returned to Kashmir through Nepal since the Rehabilitation Policy took effect. This is a very important milestone that signals a movement towards reconciliation and normalcy”, NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said.
Also present on the occasion were senior National Conference leaders Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, Nasir Aslam Wani, Ali Mohammad Dar, Shameema Firdous, Haji Mohammad Ashraf Ganai, Peer Afaq Ahmed, Ali Mohammad Dar and various District and Block Presidents of the party.
Kichloo distributes ex-gratia cheques
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 19: On the directions of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo visited the houses of deceased who died on July 8 and 16, 2014 in separate road accidents at Kishtwar and handed over ex-gratia relief cheques amounting to Rs 7 lakh to the next of kins (NoK) of the victims at the rate of Rs 1 lakh each in various localities of Kishtwar town.
Handing over ex-gratia relief to next of kins, the Minister expressed his heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved families and close relation of deceased. He also assured that every possible help would be extended to the affected families.
The Minister will distribute the remaining cheques of ex-gratia on July 20, 2014 amongst the next of kins of victims hailing from Chhatroo and Dachhan areas.
Employees of public sector banks protest against privatization
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: To lodge protest against the proposed privatization of banks, a demonstration of employees and officers of all public sector banks was held today on 45th anniversary of Bank Nationalization.
The protest was organized under the banner of Jammu Province Bank Employees Federation and employees of different nationalized banks took part in the demonstration.
While addressing the protesters, Com Ashwani Pradhan, president PNBOA, exhorted the bank employees to oppose P J Naik Committee report tooth and nail.
Comrade Arun Kumar Gupta, who is general secretary of Jammu Province Bank Employees Federation, drew the attention towards significant achievements of the nationalized public sector banks. “The achievements like expansion of bank branches in rural areas, augmentation of hard-earned savings of the common people as Deposits of the Banks and in deploying the same all segments of the economy with particular reference to the needy priority sectors in the last 45 years are not only unique in our country but also unparalleled,” he said.
“We need to strengthen and expand public sector banking with more and more Governmental guidance and policies that will ensure vibrant public sector banking,” he stressed and informed that a list of Jammu & Kashmir State bad Loans-Suit Filed accounts worth Rs one crore and above as on 30/09/2013, was being released.
Others, who addressed the demonstration included Com Vijay Zutshi, Com Ganesh Kumar, Com R K Bamba, Com Manjit Singh, Com Sumrita Kher, Com V K Dutta, Com Vinod Gupta, Com Nazir Ahmed, Com T K Tikoo, Com Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, Com Gurnam Singh, Com Adarsh Gupta, Com Rama Kant, Com Narayani Sheria, Com Avinash Dogra, Com Pallavi Gupta and Com Anil Gupta.