November 21, 2001
- Action Against military officials mentioned in Tehelka Tapes
- NPPA Announces prices of 103 Formulation Packs
- Ram Naik Orders HIGH Level Enquiry into Gandhar oil Field Fire
- RS. 50,000 Crore food loss per year due to pests
- IT & Agro Products will Increase Sino-Indian trade
- India to host 6th International Abilympics
- US to provide assistance to the Indian Railways
- India Achieves Remarkable Progress in Cryogenics
- India is countering Terrorrist Activities in Kashmir
- Solar Energy project in Ladakh
RAJYA SABHA
Indian Government take precautions to fight Biological WeaponsDRDO Training Course for germ warfare, Cross boarder terrorrism
New Delhi -- Use of biological agents by terrorists has now become a reality though its development and manufacture is banned under the Biological Warfare Convention (1972) and the earlier Geneva Protocol of 1925. The Government has issued a detailed circular to all States and Union Territories containing a list of biological agents used as weapons, along with signs and symptoms, likely method of dissemination, incubation period, lethality and the availability of vaccines, anti-microbial therapy and treatment, said the Minister of State for Home, Vidyasagar Rao.
'They have been requested to earmark maximum number of beds for emergency/ contingency, stocking of vaccines/sera/drugs to the extent possible and setting up of special teams of doctors for coordinated action. It has also been requested that these Teams should be sensitized on the impact of such weapons and treatment measures.
A general awareness campaign regarding Anthrax has been launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,' Rao said in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha..In addition, all States/Union Territories have been sensitized to remain vigilant to the emerging threats to internal security and to have contingency plans in readiness to deal with any eventuality, including precautions against weapons of mass destruction.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Home, Vidyasagar Rao added.In addition, the Defence Research & Development Establishment plans to conduct four training courses in anti-germ warfare of four days duration each, to officers of the State Governments in the last week of November 2001. Each batch will have theoretical and practical sessions to deal with various aspects of anti-germ warfare, announced defence minister George Fernandes in the Rajya Sabha.
" The Government has circulated general instructions on this subject to all authorities of health departments of Centre, State/ Union Territory Governments and Hospitals. These instructions include the likely methods of dissemination of biological and chemical agents, incubation period, lethality, availability of vaccines, and anti-microbial therapy and treatment,' he said. The other measures being taken up to combat bio-terrorism are awareness workshops, dissemination of information through print and electronic media and a regular review of the situation, added Defence Minister George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Ramachandra Khuntia in Rajya Sabha today.
Meanwhile, the security of the protected persons is reviewed regularly in consultation with the security agencies. Based on the threat perception assessed by the security agencies, security to a threatened person is determined. Accordingly, security of protected persons is periodically reviewed leading to upgradation, downgradation or withdrawal of security depending on the current level of threat perception." Security is being provided to 2 types of protectees. Firstly, positional security is provided to some persons by virtue of the position they are holding at the relevant time e.g. Union Ministers, Judges of Supreme Court etc. Secondly, security is provided on the basis of threat perception assessed by the central security agencies, said the Minister of State for Home, Vidyasagar Rao in another written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.Cross Boarder Insurgency:
There are reports about North East militant outfits using the territory of India's neighbouring countries for providing shelter and training to their cadres. The insurgency in Kashmir valley is sustained on the active support from across the border, said an Indian minister in the Rajya Sabha. 'Diplomatic steps have been/are being taken by the Government of India with the Governments of neighbouring countries in this regard. Also, diplomatically Government have appropriately and effectively brought to the attention of the international community facts pertaining to Pakistan's sponsorship of cross border terrorism in India,' he said. 'No anti-insurgency operations have been launched by the Government across the border during the current year,' said the Minister of State for Home, Vidyasagar Rao in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
To another question the Minister said it is difficult to assess the exact figures of infiltration but some infiltration is continuing to take place into J&K from across the Border.
Action Against military officials mentioned in Tehelka Tapes
The Army Court of Inquiry found some of the military officers blameworthy for their various acts of omission and commission in the defence equipment deal with a fictitious foreign firm as alleged by the Tehelka.com and recommended action against the officers.Accordingly, action has been initiated as per the law and rules governing the Army personnel. Disciplinary action has been initiated against one Major General, one Brigadier and one Colonel. Administrative action has been initiated against one Major General and one Lt Colonel and Censure action has been initiated against one Major General.This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Dr. Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha today.
MIG Crash near Suratgarh and pathankot
A MIG-21 aircraft crashed on 17th September, 2001 at Suratgarh and the Captain of the aircraft Flt Lt A.A.Gadgil was fatally injured. A Court of Inquiry is in progress to investigate the cause of the accident. Another MIG-21 crashed on 26th September 2001 at Pathankot due to engine failure in the air and the pilot ejected safely, George said in reply to another question. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the accident. As per the figures available for the last four years, about 64 MiG series aircraft have been lost. Of these, 30 have been lost due to human error (air crew) and one lost due to human error (surface). Five of them have been lost due to bird hits, 21 due to technical defect and three cases are unresolved.
Russian Aircraft Carrier
The inter-Governmental agreement (IGA) signed on 4th October 2000, inter-alia provides for the acquisition of Admiral Gorshkov, an aircraft carrier from Russia and its refit and modernisation. The committee constituted to examine the Detailed Project Document (DPD) received from Russia has, recently, submitted its report. Investment decision on the acquisition of Admiral Gorshkov has not yet been taken.
ITDC Duty Free Shops to have Distinct Indian look
Mnister of Tourism and Culture Jagmohan has asked the Manager of ITDC Duty free shops to give distinct indian look to display of the product and take up result oriented plan. He said he would monitor the performance, good performance will be rewarded and care would be taken of the persons who could not perform upto the mark. Addressing the conference of managers of ITDC shops and suppliers here today Jagmohan asked to set up a core group of marketing experts and ITDC managers to chalk out result oriented action plan . He called for improved work culture and dedication by all concerned. On the part of government he said all incentives would be provided.
COUNTERING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
The Central Government in concert with the State Government is continuing with its multi-pronged strategy to curb militancy/terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir. This strategy, besides having a security dimension, also concentrates on accelerating economic development and redressing genuine grievances of the people. The Government has also kept its doors open for talks with all people in J&K who eschew the path of violence, said the Minister of State for Home Vidyasagar Rao in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Government has often stated that Pakistan should demonstrate its adherence to the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration and abandon its sponsorship of cross border terrorism. Diplomatically government has appropriately and effectively brought to the attention of the international community facts pertaining to Pakistan’s sponsorship of cross border terrorism in India. The International community openly acknowledges Pakistan sponsorship of cross border terrorism in J&K and elsewhere in India.
This is often reflected in the media coverage on Pakistan. To contain terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach which includes, inter alia, strengthening border management, pro-active against terrorist in the hinterland, gearing up intelligence machinery, greater functional integration through and institutional frame work of Operation Groups and Intelligence Groups of the UHQ at all levels, improved technology, weapons and equipments for security forces.
Steps are being taken to flush out terrorists and curb their activities including close vigil on border, establishment of naka parties and pickets, intensive patrolling etc.
Solar Energy project in Ladakh
The Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources has sanctioned a project in September this year to the Ladakh Affairs Department of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for the electrification of 39 villages in Leh district and 18 villages and 27 hamlets in Kargil districts through installation of 10,000 solar home lighting systems and distribution of 6,000 solar lanterns, said the Minister of State for Non Conventional Energy Sources (Independent charge) Shri M.Kannappan in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha.
The Minister further informed that the project is to be implemented through the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh in Leh district and the District Development Commissioner (DDC), Kargil in Kargil District. The project also envisages involvement of local non-governmental organizations in implementation. The estimated cost of this village electrification project is Rs.20 crore, out of which the share of the Ministry is Rs.18 crore. The Ministry has already released Rs.4.35 crore to the programme implementing agencies as advance grant. The balance Rs.2 crore is to be met by the State Government. The project is to be completed by 31st March, 2003.
In addition, the Ministry has allocated 500 solar lanterns and 250 solar home lighting systems to LAHDC, and 250 solar lanterns and 250 home lighting systems to the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDEG), Leh, a local non-governmental organisation under the solar photovoltaic programme for 20001-02. The estimated central financial assistance for these systems is Rs.39 lakhs. These systems are to be installed/ distributed by 31st March, 2002.
