India

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) The Ministry of Defence on Thursday placed a Rs 13,500 crore order to buy 12 Su-30MKI fighter jets with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in a major boost to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the government.

“The aircraft would have an indigenous content of 62.6 per cent, enhanced due to indigenisation of many components to be manufactured by the Indian defence industry,” according to a Defence Ministry statement.

An official said that these aircraft will be manufactured at Nasik division of HAL. The supply of these aircraft would enhance the operational capability of the Indian Air Force and strengthen the defence preparedness of the country.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seater, twinjet, multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russian manufacturer Sukhoi and built under license by HAL for the Indian Air Force. A variant of the Sukhoi Su-30, the MKI is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.

The announcement comes close on the heels of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials to further strengthen defence ties between the two countries.

In September, the defence ministry signed a Rs 26,000-crore contract with HAL for advanced engines for Su-30MKI planes. These aero engines will be produced by the Koraput division of HAL. The engines will meet the needs of the Indian Air Force to sustain the operational capability of the Su-30 fleet.

The central government’s policy of boosting defence production as part of the drive towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat is increasingly reflected in the rising order books of the country’s defence equipment manufacturing companies and underlines a positive outlook for the sector ahead.

Public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which caters mainly to the Indian Air Force, is also poised for a bigger leap in technology as India and the U.S. are ready to sign an agreement for the manufacture of advanced GE engines for military planes at HAL’s facilities.

Driven by strategic government policies, India’s defence production has shot up to an unprecedented ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. This represents a massive increase of approximately 174 per cent from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15, according to official figures.

Historically, India relied heavily on foreign countries for its defence needs, with about 65-70 per cent of defence equipment being imported. However, this landscape has dramatically shifted, with around 65 per cent of defence equipment now manufactured within India.

--IANS

sps/dan

Jaipur, Dec 12 (IANS) Rajasthan has made significant strides in promoting women's participation in democracy by achieving a remarkable seven-point increase in the male-female voter gender ratio within just a few months.

The ratio has improved from 923 in February 2024 to 930 in December 2024, surpassing the target set for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) Program-2025.

This progress reflects the proactive measures taken by the Election Department to address disparities and implement corrective actions.

The ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) Programme-2025 has been instrumental in updating and refining voter lists across the state.

As per the data as of December 12, the male-female voter sex ratio now stands at 930 women per 1,000 men, exceeding the SSR-2025 target of 926.

The achievement highlights a significant leap from the previous five-point improvement over four years (918 in 2021 to 923 in 2024) to a seven-point surge in just a few months in 2024.

Karauli District registered an extraordinary 20-point increase in the voter gender ratio since August 2024. Barmer and Bikaner Districts improved by 18 and 14 points, respectively. Among Rajasthan's 33 districts, 26 have achieved a voter gender ratio above 900, with nine districts crossing 950 while Chittorgarh (994) and Pratapgarh (993) lead the state.

Since the draft voter list publication on August 20, 2024, the total number of voters in Rajasthan has grown by 765,624.

Of this increase, women voters accounted for 452,230, outnumbering the rise in male voters (313,378). Additionally, 16 third-gender voters have been added during this period.

Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan expressed optimism about further narrowing the male-female voter gap by the final publication of voter lists on January 6, 2025.

This improvement reflects the collaborative efforts of the Chief Electoral Officer, District Collectors, and field officials. With continued dedication, Rajasthan is setting an example of empowering women through greater electoral participation, thereby strengthening democracy at its core.

--IANS

arc/dan

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) As many as 2.21 crore women-owned MSMEs have registered on Udyam Registration Portal (URP) and Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) between July 1, 2020 and November 30, 2024 in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.

Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje said in a written reply that the Government has taken a number of initiatives to increase the participation of women in MSMEs in the country.

These include special drives for registration of women-owned MSMEs. The government also amended the Public Procurement Policy in 2018 to benefit women.

The new policy makes it mandatory for Central Ministries/Departments/ and public sector undertaking to buy at least 3 per cent of their annual procurement from women entrepreneurs.

To support Women Entrepreneurs under Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), 10 per cent concession is given in annual Guarantee fees; 90 per cent Guarantee coverage is given to women-owned MSEs, as against the 75 per cent for other entrepreneurs, the minister said.

The Ministry of MSME also implements the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme, which is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and rural/urban unemployed youth.

Under the Scheme, the subsidy rate for general category beneficiaries is 15 per cent in urban areas and 25 per cent in rural areas.

For special category beneficiaries, including SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, Women, Ex-servicemen, Physically Handicapped, and those in NER, Hill, and Border areas, the subsidy is 25 per cent in urban areas and 35 per cent in rural areas.

Besides, participation of women entrepreneurs in trade fairs under Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme is subsidised 100 per cent vis-a-vis 80 per cent for other entrepreneurs, the minister stated.

In addition, to encourage entrepreneurship among women, the Ministry of MSME implements ‘Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana’ under Coir Vikas Yojana, which is an exclusive training programme aimed at skill development of women artisans engaged in the coir sector, she added.

--IANS

sps/pgh

Bhopal, Dec 12 (IANS) To encourage sarpanchs (panchayat heads) to make their gram panchayats dispute-free across the state, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced an incentive of Rs 5 lakh, adding that dispute-free villages will be selected under 'Vrindavan Gram Yojana' by the state government.

CM Yadav advised them to keep an eye on every single incident within their respective gram panchayats.

The BJP-led Madhya government has introduced the 'Vrindavan Gram Yojana' to transform selected villages into model villages with a focus on cow conservation, rural development, and an increase in milk production.

Under this initiative, a cow shelter will be established in every selected village.

CM Yadav made this announcement during a virtual interaction with sarpanchs of his Assembly constituency of Ujjain South on Thursday.

This interactive session was held under the 'Jan Kalyan Parv' campaign launched on the completion of one year of CM Yadav-led government in Madhya Pradesh.

The Chief Minister suggested that a list of unemployed men and women should be made in all gram panchayats.

They should also interact with the beneficiaries and solve their problems within a prescribed time period, CM Yadav said.

He also asked them to keep updated information related to progressive farmers, education of men and women, employment, information of meritorious children, hospitals, schools, area of ​​land, and crops.

During a discussion with gram panchayat heads, CM Yadav also suggested that a mass marriage should be organised on a large scale during the upcoming Basant Panchami.

"People should be made aware that they should not waste unnecessary money on marriages and funerals, but rather use them for the education of their children," the Chief Minister added.

CM Mohan Yadav-led BJP government, which returned to power in the state after winning the Assembly election held in November 2023, will complete one year in office on December 13.

Therefore, CM Yadav has launched a 'Jan Kalyan Parv' to highlight the achievements of his government in the first year of its five-year term.

Mohan Yadav, a three-time MLA from Ujjain South Assembly constituency, had taken oath as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on December 13 along with two Deputy Chief Ministers -- Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda.

--IANS

pd/khz

Gurugram, Dec 12 (IANS) Noted gangster Rohit Godara, an aide of the Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for the crude bomb explosion outside a Sector 29 club on Tuesday.

In a Facebook post, Godara threatened that the recent blasts were minor and hinted at their capability to execute larger attacks.

“Ram-Ram Jai Shri Ram to all, I, Rohit Godara, Bikaner, Goldy Brar, we have caused the bomb blasts outside two clubs in Chandigarh and two days ago in Gurugram Sector 29. Gambling bookies, hawala traders and dance clubs who are earning crores of rupees daily will all have to pay tax. This is just a small demo to open your ears. We can create an even bigger explosion that will disintegrate such dance clubs. Don't take this as our warning, we do what we say. Those who suck the blood of the poor and those who earn crores of rupees by evading the country's taxes, they all will have to pay,” read the post.

However, during the investigation, police arrested 27-year-old Sachin Taliyan from Chhur village in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Sachin, who is reportedly a supporter of the designated terrorist Goldy Brar, was taken into police custody for seven days.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Sachin was intoxicated during the incident.

Police said information is being gathered about others who were involved in the blast.

However, no casualties were reported in the incident.

Soon after the incident, Vikas Arora, Commissioner of Gurugram Police, had also visited the crime scene. The bomb disposal team of Gurugram Police was also called to the crime scene and the 02 live bombs recovered from the possession of the accused were defused by the bomb disposal team.

In the incident, a scooty and a board have suffered some damage, police said.

A senior officer requesting anonymity said that a lot of information had been obtained from the arrested suspect during the interrogation. The involvement of some more people has also come to the fore in this case, and they will be apprehended soon.

--IANS

str/dan

Prayagraj, Dec 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Prayagraj on Friday where he will examine and inspect the development works and preparation for the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela 2025.

PM Modi will also inaugurate several development projects worth around Rs 7,000 crore, perform a puja at the Sangam and visit the Akshay Vat and Hanuman temples.

In addition to this, the Prime Minister will launch the Kumbh 'Sahayak' chatbot. These projects will not only help make the Mahakumbh 2025 grand and divine, but they will also give Prayagraj a new identity.

PM Modi will invite the world to the Mahakumbh 2025 during the Ganga Puja at Sangam. The people of Prayagraj are excited about the event and take pride in PM Modi's invitation to the world from their city.

Talking to IANS, Batukji Maharaj said that Prime Minister Modi is inviting not only India but the entire world to this holy land of Prayagraj, where everyone can come and sanctify their lives.

He mentioned that Prayagraj's land is so pure and sacred that from gods to sages and saints, everyone comes here to purify their soul. PM Modi's visit aims to invite people to come to Prayagraj and make their lives meaningful by taking a holy dip in the Sangam.

Educator Arunesh Singh stated that PM Modi is coming to Prayagraj on Friday to invite everyone to the spiritual gathering. He urged everyone to rise above caste and religion and take part in the spiritual event.

He also noted that he has attended every Kumbh since 1977, and this being his sixth Kumbh, he believes that the preparations this time will make it even grander than the 2019 Kumbh. He expressed pride that PM Modi himself is coming to invite everyone to the event.

Local resident Ruma Singh said that it is a matter of joy and pride that PM Modi is coming to Prayagraj to invite the people of the world to the Mahakumbh. She added that preparations for the Mahakumbh 2025 have been in full swing for the past three months, and it will be even grander and more divine this time.

Another local resident mentioned that it is a special moment as PM Modi is visiting Prayagraj and inviting everyone to attend the Kumbh. They also shared that this year, unprecedented arrangements are being made for the Mahakumbh.

Deepchand, a local resident, said that PM Modi’s visit to Prayagraj to extend the invitation is a matter of pride for the entire country. He noted that Prayagraj’s appearance is changing, and people are filled with excitement as preparations for the Mahakumbh progress.

--IANS

brt/dan

Kolkata, Dec 12 (IANS) Karuna Nundy and her team will be representing the parents of the woman junior doctor of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital who was raped and murdered within the hospital premises in August this year.

Nundy and her team will be representing the victim's parents at the Supreme Court, Calcutta High Court, and the trial court in Kolkata.

The information surfaced just a day after Vrinda Grover, the earlier counsel of the victim's parents, announced her decision to withdraw from appearing in the case further.

In a statement issued from the Chambers of Vrinda Grover, certain "intervening factors and circumstances" have been termed as the reasons for the decision.

This is the second time that the counsel of the victim's family has been changed.

Initially, senior advocate of the Calcutta High Court and CPI-M Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya had been representing the victim's family.

Nundy and Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay are already representing the Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, an association of senior doctors in the state who had been extending support to the protest movement by the junior doctors in connection with the rape and murder case.

Earlier in September this year, the counsel for the junior doctors spearheading the movement on the rape and murder case was also changed, with acclaimed lawyer and social activist Indira Jaising replacing senior advocate Geeta Luthra.

The body of the junior doctor was recovered from the seminar hall within the hospital premises on the morning of August 9.

The initial investigation in the matter was carried out by Kolkata Police and later the charge of the probe was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court.

--IANS

src/khz

Imphal, Dec 12 (IANS) Three top cadres of the banned militant outfit People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak-Pro) were arrested by the security forces in Manipur's Thoubal district, officials said on Thursday.

A police official said that the arrested militants have been involved in extortion of money from the people and traders and illegal possession of arms.

The official said that a combined team of Manipur police Commando and a column of Assam Rifles led by senior officials acting on a tip-off rushed to Thoubal Athokpam and arrested three active cadres of the unlawful organisation on Wednesday night.

They have been identified as Nambram Indrajit Singh (22), Rajkumar Mohen Sana (21) and Warepam Albert Meitei (21).

Some sophisticated arms and ammunition, three mobile phones and one motorcycle were recovered from their possession, the police official said.

During interrogation, the apprehended militants confessed that they were involved in extortion from schools, colleges and government offices, traders of Thoubal district under the instruction of their leader Sinthoiba, the official said.

The arrested militants along with seized arms and ammunition were handed over to the Thoubal Police Station for taking further necessary legal action against the ultras.

Combined security forces of the Army, Assam Rifles and other central forces during separate operations recovered 10 sophisticated firearms and a cache of ammunition in the Churachandpur and Chandel districts.

Meanwhile, at least 2,000 personnel of the Army and Assam Rifles continued their hectic search operation to locate the 56-year-old Meitei man Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who has been missing since November 25.

The Army as part of their search operation deployed tracker dogs, drones and other devices.

Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Meira Paibis (women vigilantes in Manipur) have sought the intervention of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to rescue Kamalbabu Singh.

The Meira Paibis and the JAC continued their agitations separately in protest against the abduction of Kamalbabu Singh.

Singh, a resident of Gossaipur under Cachar district in southern Assam, who was staying at Loitang Khunou village in Imphal West district, left his residence on November 25 for the Leimakhong military station, where he was working as a supervisor for a contractor working with the Military Engineering Services (MES), but went missing.

Various Meitei community organisations alleged that Singh was kidnapped by Kuki militants.

--IANS

sc/dan

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court’s interim order on the Places of Worship Act, 1991 that imposed restrictions on registering new suits, delivering effective or final judgments, or ordering surveys in ongoing cases concerning mosques and shrines.

AIMPLB Spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas welcomed the apex court’s interim order, emphasising that local courts were undermining the spirit of the Places of Worship Act by entertaining petitions and issuing orders concerning mosques, said a statement.

“The manner in which local courts declared appeals admissible and issued orders on mosques and dargahs had made this act ineffective. The Supreme Court has now stopped any effective or final decisions and prohibited survey orders until the next hearing. It also clarified that no new petitions should be registered until the next ruling of the apex court,” he said.

He said the court reiterated that civil courts cannot pass judgments parallel to those of the apex court, invoking the necessity of a stay in such situations. It noted that a five-judge bench order on this matter already exists.

The act was challenged in 2020, and the Supreme Court sought a response from the central government. The court has again directed the government to submit its reply, which will be made publicly available on its website.

Apart from AIMPLB, several other parties are involved in the case as intervenors. The Board expressed hope that this interim order would deter malicious activities targeting mosques and shrines across the country.

It urged the Supreme Court to adopt a clear and positive stance on the Places of Worship Act at the earliest to ensure the rule of law and curb attempts at spreading unrest and instability.

--IANS

rch/dan

Patna, Dec 12 (IANS) In a significant operation conducted jointly by the East Champaran Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), five individuals were arrested on Thursday for carrying highly refined heroin and a chemical in Bihar’s East Champaran district.

The raid took place in a village under Chhatauni police station, where two kilograms of a contraband substance and a chemical used in the refining of brown sugar production were seized. The international market value of the seized items is estimated to be ₹7 crore.

“This operation was carried out in collaboration with the NCB. Five individuals have been arrested, and the contraband, along with a chemical, was recovered. The arrested individuals have been placed in judicial custody,” said East Champaran Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat.

He added that the operation was conducted across two areas: Chhatauni police station and Ramgarhwa police station.

“Among the arrested, two individuals hail from Vaishali district, while three are residents of Ramgarhwa,” he said.

He said that further investigations are expected to uncover additional details about the network involved in the smuggling.

Five accused have been identified as Sumit Kumar, Sarvesh Kumar Yadav, Rajrat Prasad, Ratnesh Kumar Mishra, and Dharamveer Kumar Pandey in connection with the smuggling of contraband.

“The joint team conducted a raid in a village that comes under Chhatauni police station and arrested two smugglers. They were carrying 2 kg of heroin in a Tata Punch car. Following their confession, we have arrested three more individuals from Ramgarhwa village and seized 5 litres of chemical,” Prabhat said.

An FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the NDPS act at the Chhatauni and Ramgarhwa police stations, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the identities of the handlers and the broader network involved.

East Champaran district is situated right on the edge of the Nepal border and the district SP confirmed that the contraband was smuggled from Nepal.

--IANS

ajk/dan