INDIGENOUS AIRBORNE LOCUST CONTROL SYSTEM ON MI-17 HELICOPTER
July 2, 2020, 11:08:05 AM
Image of modifying Mi-17 Helicopters for spraying atomized pesticide to arrest Locust breeding
Anticipating Locust attack, Ministry of Agriculture signed a contract with M/s Micron, UK to modify two Mi-17 Helicopters for spraying atomized pesticide to arrest Locust breeding in May 2020.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the UK based firm would be able to manufacture and supply the modification kit to IAF only from Sep 2020 onward for system integration and testing. In the meanwhile, an unprecedented Locust attack started manifesting from last week of May and was fast spreading practically across many States.
In view of the envisaged delay in provisioning of modification kits by M/s Micron, the Indian Air Force tasked No. 3 Base Repair Depot located at Chandigarh to undertake the challenging task of indigenously designing and developing an Airborne Locust Control System (ALCS) for Mi-17 helicopters. Using all indigenous components, the atomized airborne spraying of pesticide has been successfully achieved in air through a configuration of nozzles mounted both sides on external trusses of a Mi-17 helicopter. The nozzles used for the purpose are a mix of commercially available nozzles as well as the nozzles developed by CSIO, Chandigarh. The pesticide Malathion inappropriate concentration would be filled in the internal Auxiliary tank of 800 litres capacity fitted inside the helicopter and pumped into the nozzles by using an electrical pump as well as compressed air, achieving nearly 40 minutes of spaying duration in the infected zone covering an area of approximately 750 hectares in each mission.
A team of Test Pilots and Test Engineers of Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Bangalore have successfully carried out ground and airborne trials of ALCS on a modified Mi-17 helicopter. The system is being offered for use with Malathion for employment in the locust control operation.
Being an indigenously developed system, the ALCS would offer inherent advantages of in-house maintenance, future upgradeability, saving of foreign exchange and help in making the country Self Reliant in aviation-related technology.
A search and seizure operation conducted by the Income Tax Department in Kolkata
March 11, 2021, 7:31:22 AM
Rep. image
Kolkata: The Income Tax Department carried out a search and seizure operation on 10.03.2021 on two separate persons based in Kolkata, who are engaged in the handling of cash of others on a commission basis.
Income Tax Department, India, Kolkata
India cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi as a single non-lapsable reserve fund
March 10, 2021, 9:22:05 AM
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Delhi: Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN) as a single non-lapsable reserve fund for share of Health from the proceeds of Health and Education Cess levied under Section 136-b of Finance Act, 2007.
India, Finance, India Cabinet
Gurugram DGGI officials arrest 2 men for defrauding exchequer of over Rs 690 crore
March 10, 2021, 7:08:55 AM
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Delhi: The ongoing investigation of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Gurugram Zonal Unit, were able to arrest two gang members of a fake invoicing syndicate, namely Vikas and Manish, who were involved in GST fraud by way of issuance of fake GST invoices in excess of Rs 4,800 crore which defrauded the exchequer of more than Rs 690 crore.
India, Income Tax Department
The Government takes steps to deal with Casteism and Communalism in the country
March 10, 2021, 6:50:50 AM
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Delhi: The Central Government provides assistance to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations towards incentive for inter-caste marriages, where one of the spouses is a member of a Scheduled Caste.
India
MCA strikes off 10,113 companies from April to Feb in 2020-2021
March 8, 2021, 1:49:31 PM
Rep. image, Office
Delhi: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) administers the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act), Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. There is no provision for weeding out the Companies in the Act.
India
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal flags off Tanakpur-Delhi Jan Shatabdi Express special train
February 26, 2021, 11:22:48 AM
Rep. image, Train
Delhi: Minister Piyush Goyal said that the introduction of a new modern, safe, LHB coach Purnagiri Janshatabdi train, will boost tourism and connectivity in the region. The Minister also informed that electrification of Pilibhit- Delhi route was already complete, Tanakpur- Pilibhit route is also complete, only CRS inspection is awaited, soon the entire route (Tanakpur- Delhi) will be fully electrified.
INDIA RAILWAYS, Piyush Goyal
MHA extends guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution states/ UT to strictly enforce SOPs
February 26, 2021, 11:05:15 AM
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Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order today to extend the existing Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution to remain in force upto 31.03.2021.
Minister of Home Affairs (MHA), India
MoU sign by MCA & CBIC for exchange of data for enhancing the ease of doing business in India
February 25, 2021, 6:07:10 PM
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Delhi: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for data exchange between the two organisations. The MoU was signed by Manoj Pandey, Joint Secretary, MCA, and B. B. Gupta, ADG, CBIC, in the presence of Rajesh Verma, Secretary, MCA and M. Ajit Kumar, Chairman, CBIC.
MoU, India, MCA, CBIC
India and Pakistan's joint statement on the situation along the Line of Control (LAC)
February 25, 2021, 2:03:51 PM
Delhi: The Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact. The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere.
Line Of Control, LAC, India, Pakistan, Indian Armed Forces
Govt notifies IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021
February 25, 2021, 1:44:00 PM
Delhi: Amidst growing concerns around lack of transparency, accountability and rights of users related to digital media and after elaborate consultation with the public and stakeholders, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has been framed in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the earlier Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011.
Digital Media, India