India News
Rs3600 crore spent but ‘Made in India’Akash missiles fail tests, not installed even 7 years after signing of contract : CAG
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Deficiencies in the surface-to-air missiles pose an operational risk during hostilities, says the national auditor
In a major setback to India’s defence preparedness at a time when the country is facing rising tensions on its borders with Pakistan and China, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in Parliament on Friday claims that at least a third of the ‘Made in India’ Akash surface-to-air missiles have failed basic tests and are unreliable, unusable and untested.
“Based on the threat perception, Government of India in 2010 had envisaged induction of strategic missile system for the IAF in the ‘S’ sector to create deterrence. This deterrence capability was planned to be put in place between June 2013 and December 2015 in a phased manner,” the report said, adding, “but till date, even after four years this urgently needed capability has not been created and the strategic objective remains unachieved.”
Although the CAG does not expressly name the indigenously made surface-to-air missile, all references to the weapon point towards the Akash missles that were developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) produced by the state-run Bharat Electronics. The damning report states: “the missiles fell short of the target, had lower than the required velocity, and there was malfunctioning of critical unit” and that though Rs 3,600 crores have been paid to the manufacturer, none of the missile systems are installed at the six designated sites even though it has been seven years since the contract was signed.
The Army had ordered two regiments of the missile comprising six firing batteries and hundreds of missiles for Rs 14,180 crore.
The report said that as many as a third of the missiles failed the basic tests. Of the 20 missiles tested, six failed, putting the failure ratio at around 30%. The quality issues found in the test were:
The missiles fell short of the target
Had lower than required velocity
Critical units malfunctioned
Short lifespan
Apart from the quality perspective, the report also flagged prolonged delay in its installation along the India-China border because of non-completion of related infrastructure projects. The projects include storage facilities, workshops and ramp structures. Although work was nearly complete at two bases, the Indian Air Force had not taken over these buildings because of defects in construction. In the remaining four sites progress was below 45 per cent as of October 2016.
According to reports, Army has made it clear that it does not want any more Akash regiment after it gets the ordered ones as the missile does not meet its operational requirements. Instead, the Indian Army this year showed interest in Israel’s quick reaction surface-to-air missiles (QR-SAMs).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
India News
Goa child rights body serves notice to Education department after worms found in mid day meals
Peter F Borges, Chairperson Goa state commission for protection of child rights said this shocking, sheer, neglect and outrageous that the meal had been consumed by children. He added the MDM scheme has elaborate monitoring systems in state, district and local levels.
The Goa state Commission for Protection of Child Rights served notice to the state Education department as worms were found in mid day meals served to children. Officials of the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration on Tuseday took food samples from three schools. This came in response to a complaint from schools in Priol said worms were found in Soya Chunks Pulao which was served as the mid day meal.
Peter F Borges, Chairperson Goa state commission for protection of child rights said this shocking, sheer, neglect and outrageous that the meal had been consumed by children. He added the MDM scheme has elaborate monitoring systems in state, district and local levels.
He said the school management committee (SMC)s are responsible for continuously monitoring the wholesomeness of the midday meal served to the schoolchildren. They are responsible for the hygiene standards and the service of the meal and the timeliness of good quality ingredients on a daily basis.
The commission has called for investigation in the incident and an enquiry so that necessary action can be taken against those found responsible for the incident. It has further sent directives to the education department to file status of all mechanisms at various levels in place.
Director of Education Shailesh Zingade told the media after the complaints were received the food and Drugs administration officials were summoned. They also collected the food samples and a report was awaited. He said the supplier has been told to stop the supply till the issue is cleared. According to reports the education department will take action against the self help group supplying the mid day meal. The mid day meal is served to students from Class I to Class VIII. The food is served to 160 lakh students of 1400 aided and government schools.
Bihar news
Nitish Kumar on ‘digital library’ inauguration in Bihar’s Banka asks officials to change signboard language to Hindi | Watch video
The chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday, went to inaugurate a ‘digital library’ in Banka district where he noticed the language of the signboard of the newly established ‘digital library’.
The chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday, went to inaugurate a ‘digital library’ in Banka district where he noticed the language of the signboard of the newly established ‘digital library’ and asked the officials to change the signboard as the information was written in the English language.
CM Kumar said he respects the English language but Hindi is a part of the tradition. He further schooled the officials saying you are ending the importance of the Hindi language, adding that it is our language. Officials present at the moment were asked to change the board by CM Kumar.
In March, Kumar made headlines for ridiculing a farmer who used English words in his speech at an event, demonstrating his consistent disapproval of the use of English in public settings.
Nitish Kumar reminded the farmer that using smartphones during COVID-19 was causing people to distance themselves from their own language in Bharat, Bihar.
Look at what has happened to people. They are distancing themselves from their language, Kumar interrupted, when people learn words through smartphones. Is it England, Kumar questioned the farmer. Your language should be used since you have been conversing with farmers in Bihar and Bharat, Nitish Kumar said.
As per the reports, the Chief Minister of Bihar carried out unannounced inspections at several government offices and discovered that a considerable number of ministers from his cabinet were missing in action. The observations revealed that while the majority of the ministers belonging to his party, JD(U), were present, a significant number of ministers from his alliance party, RJD, were found to be absent, the reports added.
According to reports, the development occurred amidst speculations that CM Kumar may switch alliances and join the BJP.
During the G20 event, the Prime Minister cordially introduced Nitish Kumar to none other than the esteemed US President Joe Biden.
It was worth noting that this was the initial encounter between PM Modi and Nitish Kumar following the latter’s party, JD(U), ending its affiliation with the BJP last year. Instead, they joined the Mahagathbandhan and formed a government with RJD and other opposition parties.
India News
Watch: Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Ashish Patel injured in road accident
The minister suffered injuries because the air bags of the car did not open after the collision of the vehicles. Principal of Trauma centre Dr Sunil Singh and Dr RB Kamal said everything is normal in the X ray.
UP Cabinet Minister Ashish Patel received injuries when his car rammed into another vehicle in his convoy. The accident took place on the Mirzapur Prayagraj highway near Meja road. According to reports emergency brakes were applied by the vehicle leading the convoy to prevent an accident with a motorcycle. The minister received injuries on his chest and legs due to the accident of the vehicles in the convoy.
Immediately a police team with senior district officers reached the area of the accident. The minster was taken to a hospital. He is receiving treatment in the trauma centre. In the video it can be seen the car of Minister Ashish Patel is completely damaged in the accident. A crowd of people have gathered around the damaged vehicle.
The minister suffered injuries because the air bags of the car did not open after the collision of the vehicles. Principal of Trauma centre Dr Sunil Singh and Dr RB Kamal said everything is normal in the X ray. Ashish Patel is also the husband of Anupriya Patel. She is the Union minister of State for Commerce and state in the Indian government. She is also the president of Apna Dal (Sonelal) Party. She is the daughter of ApnaDal founder Sonelal Patel
Ashish Patel is an MLC in the UP assembly and the technical education minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. Patel is undergoing treatment at the Mirzapur Trauma Centre. In the video doctors can be seen attending the minister. It was the 14th wedding anniversary of the politician couple.
Anupriya Patel had also posted about her marriage anniversary on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote walking on the irregular path of life facing the ups and downs , the couple lost something and got something. In another post she said they were just characters on the stage of life.
