General Indian Defence News

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre and the Minister for Energy, New & Renewable Energy, State Excise, Maharashtra, Shri Chandrashekhar Bawankule at a meeting to discuss issues related to Defence land, at Nagpur District and Kamptee Cantonment Boards, in New Delhi on October 16, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-army-pension-regulations/article19896251.ece

It prevented DSC retirees with minor shortfall in service from earning second pension

The Kochi Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has struck down a recent amendment to the Pension Regulations for the Army, 2008, which prevented Defence Security Corps (DSC) retirees with minor shortfall in pensionable service from earning a second service pension.

The judgment, which will benefit hundreds of retirees from the DSC, came on a petition filed by T. Mohanan, 60, a former Naik of the DSC and a resident of Changanassery, who fell short by 94 days of qualifying service, which is 15 years, to be eligible for pension for his service in the DSC.

Mr. Mohanan enrolled himself in the DSC after securing his discharge from the army with service pension, but his request for a second service pension on superannuation from the DSC was rejected citing the shortfall in qualifying service. In fact, Regulation 44 of the Pension Regulations for the Army, 2008, provides for condoning deficiency in service of up to 12 months by a competent authority for grant of service pension.

However, the DSC and the Union government argued that the government policy, issued in 2012, did not allow condonation of service shortfall for grant of second service pension. They further said that a clause inserted in the Pension Regulations as recently as June, 2017, prevented grant of second service pension to DSC retirees with shortfall in qualifying service.

The AFT had, in 2015, overturned the denial of second service pension in a similar case, stating that “in the absence of any bar or interdiction to earn second service pension in the statutory provisions, a government letter to overrule the provisions could not be sustained.”

But the amendment to the Pension Regulations carried out in 2017 needed examination to see if it was ultra vires, arbitrary, and needed abrogation. The tribunal observed that “essentially the persons who were being denied condonation were those individuals who were discharged at their request, individuals eligible for special pension, and those being invalided out with less than 15 years of service” (sic). But the Supreme Court had in the past held that even a person who had sought discharge form service at his own request prior to the completion of minimum qualifying service of 15 years was eligible for condonation of deficiency in service.

The new amendment to the pension regulation was, therefore, arbitrary, observed the Tribunal Bench comprising judicial member Babu Mathew P. Joseph and administrative member Vice Admiral (retd) M.P. Muraleedharan.

“When even a person who seeks discharge on his own prior to completion of minimum qualifying service is permitted condonation, to deny the same to a person who has fallen short of service due to his reaching the age of superannuation would be arbitrary and discriminatory,” the Bench held, striking down the amendment to the Regulation 44 of the Pension Regulations of the Army, 2008.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre addressing the 22nd Joint State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General (JSR&A/D) Conference of NCC, in New Delhi on October 26, 2017. The DG, NCC, Lt, Gen. Vinod Vashisht is also seen.

 

[RISING SUN]

Sitharaman in Arunachal, reviews situation and defence infrastructure
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday reviewed the situation and defence infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh with Chief Minister Pema Khandu and senior Army officials.

Sitharaman is on a maiden visit to Arunachal Pradesh, large parts of which Beijing claims as part of south Tibet. She will be visiting the forward areas in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar.

Sitharaman is accompanied by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra, Eastern Command Chief Lt. Gen. Abhay Krishna, General Officer Commanding of Gajraj Corps, Lt Gen Amarjeet Singh Bedi and General Officer Commanding of 3 Corps, Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan.

While reviewing the situation besides defence infrastructure, the Defence Minister promised that the Indian Air Force infrastructural facilities in the Advanced Landing Grounds shall be permitted for civilian use.

She also assured that requisite funds will be released for conducting survey for laying the strategic railway line from Assam's Missamari to Tawang, the border with China.

On the issue of strengthening strategic Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road, Sitharaman said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) would be given clear directions for fast tracking its upgradation and all necessary funds would be provided for maintenance as well.

She informed Chief Minister Khandu that the system of functioning of BRO has been completely restructured with greater autonomy and delegation of powers for faster implementation.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister impressed upon the need to expedite the operationalisation of the Brigade headquarters in Tirap district so as to deal with the problem of insurgency in the region.

The Defence Minister assured Khandu that the brigade headquarter would be made operational by December 2018.

Describing the visit of Sitharaman to Arunachal as a "landmark and historic visit", Khandu raised the urgent need to establish a cantonment in the capital area of Itanagar, for which necessary land would be acquired.

The Defence Minister assured the Chief Minister that this would be accorded high priority.

Khandu also raised the issue of need for expansion of land for Tawang township and urged the Defence Minister to consider freeing up some idle land in the vicinity of the township. She directed the GOC-in-C, Eastern Command to look into this matter favourably and submit a report urgently after consulting the district administration and government officials.

Detailed deliberations were held on a whole gamut of issues in relation to land matters and other important issues of Arunachal Pradesh with Ministry of Defence. The Defence Minister gave an in-principle approval for establishment of three Sainik Schools - one each in Tawang, Pasighat and Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) belt.

The proposal for establishment of an airport at Dirang was also discussed and the armed forces evinced a strong interest in the proposal. The Defence Minister stated that this proposal will be given due consideration.

Earlier, Sitharaman called on Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd) at Raj Bhavan and discussed wide ranging defence issues, with special reference to Arunachal Pradesh.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...fence-infrastructure/articleshow/61511154.cms

 

[RISING SUN]

Orissa, WB to hold first-ever joint coastal security exercise
The governments of Orissa and neighbouring West Bengal will soon organise a joint
security exercise named as ‘Sagar Kavach’ to further tighten the existing coastal security mechanism along the 630 km long coastline.
This was informed by Orissa’s Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Asit Tripathy after attending a meeting here.
“Sagar Kavach security exercise is a realistic drill to check the efficacy of the security parameters and preparedness of various security forces like the Indian Navy, Marine police force, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), forest department, fisheries and district administration,” Tripathy told reporters.
Stating that Orissa for the first time will have a joint security drill along with West Bengal, Tripathy said, “We are going to organise a simulated terror attack named ‘red force’ at a random place along Orissa or West Bengal coast and check how effective our marine policing is. The exercise will be held over two days within a week,” he said.
The participants in the drill will be personnel from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard at Paradip and Haldia, 18 marine police stations in Orissa and 12 police stations in West Bengal.
This apart, the teams of Customs department and port officials, fisheries department officials will also take part in the drill. Earlier, the coastal security exercises were made by the Indian Navy and ICG.
“The drill is to revaluate the existing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) mechanisms. All stakeholders who attended the meeting were made aware about exercise settings and other SOPs. The coast guard, and all the security forces, even the district administrations have been very helpful and proactive towards coastal security. After the drill, we will review if there are any loopholes,” West Bengal Coast Guard Commander MA Warsi said.
Since Mumbai attack from the sea front, coastal security is being tightened and every year each of the coastal states is having two security exercises.
http://www.orissapost.com/orissa-wb-to-hold-first-ever-joint-coastal-security-exercise/

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
14-November, 2017 19:29 IST
Dr. Bhamre to Represent India at ‘UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial: Vancouver 2017’

Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre will represent the Government of India at the ‘UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial: Vancouver 2017’, which is being held between November 14-15, 2017. It will be the second time Dr. Bhamre will be attending the conference. He will be speaking on November 15.

Over 500 delegates from more than 70 countries and international organisations are expected to gather at the Defence Ministerial in Vancouver. Along with representatives from the African Union, the European Union, NATO and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, these delegates are going to discuss improvements to UN peacekeeping operations.

Decisive discussions will be taking place during the conference. While ensuring that the integration of gender perspective remains at the heart of the talks, these discussions will revolve around four themes.

Focus will be on peacekeeping and youth as peacebuilders. The discussion will also explore the importance of economic development in preventing conflict in fragile states and in sustainably rebuilding post-conflict states.

The last meeting was held in London in the month of September 2016. The conference had taken up issues on Women, Peace and Security, Pre and Post Deployment, Tackling Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Improving Peacekeeping – Rapid Deployment.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on November 17, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on November 17, 2017. The Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra and the Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal R. Nambiar are also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on November 17, 2017. The Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra is also seen.

 

[Flying.modi]

ALL UPDATE ABOUT BRAHMOS HINDI -URDU

 

[Hindustani78]

The Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Brig. M.H. Rizvi pinning flag on the President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind with the Officers of the Kendriya Sainik Board, on the occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being presented with a Flag Sticker, on the occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Officers of the Kendriya Sainik Board, on the occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Officers of the Kendriya Sainik Board, on the occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Brig. M.H. Rizvi pinning flag on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Brig. M.H. Rizvi pinning Armed Forces Flag, on the Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017. The Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare), Smt. Sanjeevanee Kutty is also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman contributing for the welfare of families of Ex-Servicemen, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare), Smt. Sanjeevanee Kutty, the Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Brig. M.H. Rizvi along with the senior officials of KSB in a group photograph, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Brig. M.H. Rizvi pinning Armed Forces Flag on the Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare), Smt. Sanjeevanee Kutty, on occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare), Smt. Sanjeevanee Kutty contributing for the welfare of families of Ex-Servicemen, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Brig. M.H. Rizvi pinning Armed Forces Flag on the Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra contributing for the welfare of families of Ex-Servicemen, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Brig. M.H. Rizvi pinning Armed Forces Flag on the Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, on occasion of the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat commemorating the Armed Forces Flag Day, in New Delhi on December 07, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...rcraft-museum-inaugurated/article21292939.ece

Boost to tourism: President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries after the inauguration of TU-142 Aircraft Museum in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam


The attraction in Vizag is the first of its kind with a walk-through for visitors

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday inaugurated the TU 142 Aircraft Museum, the first such museum in the country, on the Beach Road here in the presence of Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He later went through the cockpit, machinery, bombs and gunner compartments of the aircraft.

Mr. Naidu presented TU 142 souvenirs and Pedana “kalamkari kanduva” to the President.

Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ENC Karambir Singh, Lok Sabha members K. Haribabu and Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, Ministers Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu and N. Chinarajappa, ZP chairperson Lalam Bhavani, Port Trust Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Mukesh Kumar Meena and VUDA Vice-Chairman P. Basanth Kumar, MLAs and MLCs participated.

The museum is the first of its kind with a walk-through for visitors. The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) oversaw the execution of the ₹14-crore project comprising the museum complex, TU flight simulator, an audio-visual room and souvenir shop. The project, seen as a major tourist attraction with the Submarine Museum across the road, is funded by the AP Tourism. The VUDA will run the museum, set up on one acre of the Andhra University, in coordination with the Navy and the A.P. Tourism. The decommissioned TU 142 was flown in from the Arakkonam base of the Navy, dismantled, transported and reassembled into the museum.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/armed-forces-flag-day-observed-in-una/509910.html
Posted at: Dec 8, 2017, 1:22 AM; last updated: Dec 8, 2017, 1:22 AM (IST)
Armed Forces Flag Day observed in Una

The Deputy Director of the District Sainik Welfare Department, Maj Raghbir Singh (Retd), pins the flag insignia on Deputy Commissioner Vikas Labroo on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day in Una on Thursday. Photo : RAJESH SHARMA
Our Correspondent


UNA, DECEMBER 7

The Una district Sainik Welfare Department today observed the Armed Forces Flag Day. Department Deputy Director Maj Raghbir Singh (Retd) fixed the insignia of the flag on Deputy Commissioner Vikas Labroo, district judges and officers of the district administration. The officers donated towards the Flag Day funds.

Maj Raghbir Singh said while the Armed Forces Flag Day is observed throughout the country on December 7, the state government has decided to extend the Day as a campaign till December 31. He said during the month, awareness drives would be organized in different parts of the district.

The Deputy Director said funds contributed towards the Armed Forces Flag Day are utilized to render financial assistance to economically weak families of ex-servicemen, war widows and wards of ex-servicemen.

**************
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ag-day-guv-lauds-role-of-soldiers/509738.html

Governor NN Vohra being pinned a flag on Armed Forces Flag Day at Raj Bhawan in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune Photo
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 7

Governor NN Vohra celebrated Armed Forces Flag Day at a function at Raj Bhawan here today. The Governor observed that Armed Forces Flag Day was an important occasion for remembering the valiant soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for protecting the territorial integrity of the nation. He lauded the crucial role of the Armed Forces, both during war and in peace, and observed that their sacrifices were founded in their bravery, devotion and dedication.

Chief Secretary BB Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Governor Umang Narula, Principal Secretary, Home, RK Goyal, Director, Rajya Sainik Board, Brig Harcharan Singh (retd), Maj Gen Sunita Kapoor (retd), Col Rawel Singh (retd), Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Honarary Captain Sansar Chand (Maha Vir Chakra) and Havildar Rashid Ahmad (retd) were present on the occasion.

The Governor urged the ex-servicemen among his guests to promote the interests of society by offering their expertise and suggested to Maj Gen Sunita Kapoor, who retired as the Additional Director General, Military Nursing Services, to consider working for the improvement of health care of women and children in the rural areas of the state. The Governor also urged the decorated soldiers — Honorary Captian Sansar Chand and Havildar (retd) Rashid Ahmad to train youth, particularly girls, so that they can join the Armed Forces.

The Governor advised Brig Harcharan Singh (retd) to vigorously campaign throughout the year in the government and private institutions and collect contributions for the Flag Day fund so that a large corpus could be generated for carrying out welfare activities for the ex-servicemen and their families.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on December 08, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
17-January, 2018 17:57 IST
Official Spokesperson of Ministry Of Defence

Smt Swaranashree Rao Rajashekar of Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), 1997 batch will act as Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...reas-to-get-daily-rations/article22499768.ece

Jawans stand guard near the LoC in Machil sector, 200 km north of Srinagar. File photo


Army officers posted in peace stations in Counter Insurgency (CI) areas will now get daily rations. The latest order reverses the Seventh Pay Commission (SPC) orders for cash instead of rations for some officers.

“It is clarified that units deployed in Peace (CI) will be treated at par with units deployed in forward areas. Therefore, officers can draw entitled rations as hither-to-fore…” the Quartermaster General’s branch in the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) said in a letter dated January 08, 2018.

This means that officers posted in places like Srinagar will get daily rations as it is a peacetime CI location, one officer explained.

This letter is a clarification to an earlier letter issued on November 29, 2017 which said that “post implementation of SPC report officer’s rations in peace stations in kind has been discontinued.” Instead an allowance per fixed was fixed to paid in the monthly salary.

An exception to continue rations in peace stations was made for officer patients in military hospitals, special rations issued to air crew and personnel performing duties with the Air Force and officer cadets undergoing training at various training academies of the three services. Officer messes were also allowed to draw rations on payment for officers during exercises and training. However, the November 2017 had specifically stated that officers rations “in peace stations in CI and remote areas has been discontinued.”

“However, if required, Command Headquarters are requested to identify such areas and forward a case for change of status of such areas from peace stations to forward with Adjutant General’s (AG) branch,” the letter had stated.

One official said that it was widely felt a blanket exemption was required as there were to many such cases.

 

[Chaosmaster]

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who had a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, said both countries agreed to hold joint air exercises, specifically on tactical deployment of Sukhoi aircraft.

“Prime Minister Modi suggested that on the journey back from or to Australia concerning air exercises, Indian Air Force planes could stop over in Malaysia for the same.

“And I agreed that the joint air exercises be held because they have experience in terms of tactical deployment on Sukhoi jets and we are also looking into how they can assist us in the maintenance and serviceability of the aircraft,” he told Malaysian journalists in New Delhi today.

Malaysia, India to boost defence cooperation
Najib is in the Indian capital to attend the Asean-India Commemorative Summit which coincides with the country’s 69th Republic Day.

Commenting on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, Najib said Malaysia hoped to see some positive movements in the free-trade agreement and fresh directive towards its final conclusion by the end of this year.

“We did discussed the issue during the Asean-India Commemorative Summit. RCEP is important and there are many missed opportunities if we do not conclude RCEP. Our target is still by the end of this year but there has to be some movements in order to achieve the finality of RCEP,” he said.

Asked on US President Donald Trump’s remarks that he would reconsider the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement if the United States could strike a “substantially better” agreement, Najib quipped, ”Lets see what the America has in mind.”

The TPP suffered a setback after the US backed out last year, but the remaining 11 member countries forged ahead with the negotiations without the US. – Bernama, January 26, 2018.
http://idrw.org/malaysia-india-to-boost-defence-cooperation/