Government starts process to buy 100 more K9-Vajras
Government starts process to buy 100
more K9-Vajras
Why In News
K9-Vajra: The Defence
Ministry has started the process for the procurement of 100 more K9-Vajra
tracked self-propelled howitzers which are built in India by Larsen &
Toubro (L&T).
Key Points
K9-Vajra: The Defence
Ministry has started the process for the procurement of 100 more K9-Vajra
tracked self-propelled howitzers which are built in India by Larsen &
Toubro (L&T) using technology transferred from South Korean defence major
Hanwha Defence. At the height of tensions in eastern Ladakh in 2020, the Army
deployed one regiment of K-9 Vajra tracked self-propelled howitzers there to
augment its long-range fire power in the backdrop of a massive build-up of
forces by China across the Line of Actual Control. Buoyed by their performance,
the Army is looking at eventually procuring 200 additional guns. The induction
of Dhanush, K-9 Vajra and M777 Ultra Light Howitzers has enhanced the reach of
artillery firepower on the northern borders.
The K9 Vajra is a 155
mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer built by L&T with technology
transferred from South Korean defence major Hanwha Defense based on its K9 Thunder.
The 100th gun was
delivered to the Army in February 2021, the contract for which was signed in
May 2017. The contract also involved maintenance transfer of technology to an
Army base workshop to support the howitzers throughout their operational life
cycle.
The K9 Vajra was
mainly bought for use in deserts, but the standoff prompted them to be deployed
in the mountains as well, officials had stated earlier.
To ensure that these
systems performed optimally in the extreme cold weather conditions of the
mountains, the Army also procured winterisation kits for the regiment deployed.
There are nine items including batteries, oils and lubricants which need to be
insulated from extreme temperatures and don’t freeze at -20 degrees celsius,
which the kits cater for.
Uttarakhand Govt decide to abolishes revenue police system
Uttarakhand Govt decide to abolishes
revenue police system
Why In News
The Uttarakhand
government has decided to abolish the revenue policing system in the state.
The Pushkar Singh
Dhami government has also announced that revenue villages will be brought under
the regular policing system.
Key Points
The Uttarakhand
government has decided to abolish the revenue policing system in the state. The
Pushkar Singh Dhami government has also announced that revenue villages will be
brought under the regular policing system. Law and order in 1,800 revenue
villages of Uttarakhand will now be handled by the state police, according to a
statement by the Chief Minister’s Office.
Reason For abolition of revenue policing system
The demand to replace
the revenue police system in Uttarakhand gained traction during the
investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case in September 2022. Ankita, a
19-year-old who worked as a receptionist at a resort run by Pulkit Arya, the
son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, was found dead in the Chilla canal in
Rishikesh on September 24 after going missing for six days. The area was under
the jurisdiction of the revenue police. Allegations were raised against the
revenue police for not registering a complaint on time and even siding with the
accused.
In response to these
allegations, the Uttarakhand government has decided to abolish the revenue
police system. The government has announced that 1,800 villages will be brought
under regular police jurisdiction. In the first phase, the borders of 52 police
stations and 19 police posts will be expanded, according to the statement by
the Chief Minister’s Office.
History the Revenue Police System
The revenue police
system in Uttarakhand came into existence in the 1800s when the rulers of Tehri
lost their territories to Gurkhas and requested the British to oust the Gurkhas
from Garhwal in exchange for payment. After the war, the rulers were unable to
pay and in exchange, the British kept the western part of Garhwal. In order to
collect revenues from the natural resources and minerals found in present-day
Uttarakhand, the British put in place a revenue system with the posts of
patwari, kanungo, lekhpal, etc., similar to the Mughal administration.
It was decided that
no special police was needed in the hill parts of Uttarakhand because the hills
saw little crime, and it was therefore deemed unnecessary to have a dedicated
police force.
Himachal Pradesh Government Launched Chief Minister Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh
Himachal Pradesh Government Launched
Chief Minister Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh
Why In News
Himachal Pradesh
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced to set up of Rs 101 crore CM's
Sukhashraya Sahayata Kosh for the destitute in the state.
Key Points
Himachal Pradesh
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced to set up of Rs 101 crore CM’s
Sukhashraya Sahayata Kosh for the destitute in the state. Chief Minister of
Himachal Pradesh informed that 40 Congress MLAs agreed to contribute Rs one
lakh each from their first salary for the fund and also requested the MLAs from
BJP and other parties to contribute.
The collected fund
will be spent on the higher education of destitute children to encourage them
to pursue courses such as engineering, medicine, management, and other streams
from reputed institutions like IIT, IIM, AIIMS, and NIT.
CM Sukhvinder Singh
Sukhu announced that there are 6,000 destitute children in Himachal Pradesh.
The CM’s Sukhashraya
Sahayata Kosh with an expenditure of Rs 101 crore would provide the facility of
higher education to needy children.
Through the CM’s
Sukhashraya Sahayata Kosh other than bearing the educational expenses, the
government would also provide Rs 4000 monthly pocket money to the destitute
children and women pursuing higher education.
The state government
will bear the expenditure on skill development education, higher education, and
vocational training of such children.
They will also be
given financial assistance as per their requirement so that they can lead a
respectable life.
The state government
was committed to ensuring the welfare of needy children, orphans, destitute
women, and senior citizens.
The Chief Minister
informed that receiving assistance from this fund would be free from government
restrictions and no income certificate would be needed.
The assistance will
be given directly to the beneficiary’s account immediately by the department of
social justice and empowerment on a simple application.