Current Affairs 10.11.2023

Indian Heritage
Culture
Modern Indian history
The Freedom Struggle
Post-independence
Indian Society

–, population and associated issues

– poverty and developmental issues

– urbanization

7. Geographical features

8. Indian Constitution

9. Polity

1.Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Proposes Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023

Consolidated Legal Framework for the entire Broadcasting sector
Content Evaluation Committees for adherence to Programme Code and Advertisement Code
Broadcast Advisory Council to replace existing Inter Departmental Committee
Penalty structure linked to financial capacity
Accessibility measures for persons with disabilities
Union Ministry of Information and broadcasting has today invited comments on the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023. The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 has been in effect for three decades, serving as the primary legislation overseeing content on linear broadcasting, including cable networks. However, the broadcasting landscape has undergone significant changes in the interim. Technological advancements have introduced new platforms such as DTH, IPTV, OTT, and various integrated models.
With the digitization of the broadcasting sector, especially in cable TV, there is a growing need to streamline the regulatory framework. This involves ensuring ease of doing business and enhancing adherence to the Programme Code and Advertisement Code by the broadcasters and Distribution Platform Operators. Recognizing the need for a more cohesive approach, the existing fragmented regulatory framework is required to be replaced with a new, comprehensive law.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has proposed a draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023. The draft Bill provides for a consolidated framework to regulate the broadcasting services in the country and seeks to replace the existing Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and other Policy Guidelines currently governing the broadcasting sector in the country.
The Bill streamlines regulatory processes, extends its purview to cover the Over-the-Top(OTT) content and digital news, and introduces contemporary definitions and provisions for emerging technologies. It seeks to provide for Content Evaluation Committees and a Broadcast Advisory Council for self-regulation, different program and advertisement code for different Broadcasting Network Operators, Accessibility measures for persons with disabilities, and statutory penalties, etc.
The Bill comprises of Six Chapters, 48 Sections and three Schedules.
Key Highlights:
1. Consolidation and Modernization: It addresses a long standing need of consolidating and updating the regulatory provisions for various broadcasting services under a single legislative framework. This move streamlines the regulatory process, making it more efficient and contemporary. It extends its regulatory purview to encompass broadcasting over-the-top (OTT) content and digital news and current affairs currently regulated through IT Act, 2000 and regulations made there under.
2. Contemporary Definitions and Future-Ready Provisions: To keep pace with the evolving technologies and services, the bill introduces comprehensive definitions for contemporary broadcasting terms and incorporates provisions for emerging broadcasting technologies.
3. Strengthens the Self Regulation Regime: It enhances self-regulation with the introduction of ‘Content evaluation committees’ and evolves the existing Inter-Departmental Committee into a more participative and broader ‘Broadcast Advisory Council’.
4. Differentiated Programme Code and Advertisement Code: It allows for a differentiated approach to Programme and Advertisement Codes across various services and require self-classification by broadcasters and robust access control measures for restricted content.
5. Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities: The bill addresses the specific needs of persons with disabilities by providing for enabling provisions for issue of comprehensive accessibility guidelines.
6. Statutory Penalties and Fines: The draft Bill introduces statutory penalties such as: advisory, warning, censure, or monetary penalties, for operators and broadcasters. Provision for imprisonment and/or fines remains, but only for very serious offenses, ensuring a balanced approach to regulation.
7. Equitable Penalties: Monetary penalties and fines are linked to the financial capacity of the entity, taking into account their investment and turnover to ensure fairness and equity.
8. Infrastructure Sharing, Platform Services and Right of Way: The bill also includes provisions for infrastructure sharing among broadcasting network operators and carriage of platform services. Further, it streamlines the Right of Way section to address relocation and alterations more efficiently, and establishes a structured dispute resolution mechanism.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is committed to ushering in a new era of transparency, Self Regulation, and future-ready broadcasting services in the country with the Draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting approves Comprehensive “Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023

2.Policy Framework Will Pave the Way for Wider Government Outreach in the Digital Era

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has approved a path breaking “Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023 to enable and empower the Central Bureau of Communication which is the advertising wing of the Government of India to undertake campaigns in the Digital Media Space. This policy marks a pivotal moment in CBC’s mission to disseminate information and create awareness regarding various schemes, programs, and policies of the Government of India in response to the evolving media landscape and the increased digitalization of media consumption.

The huge subscriber base in the Digital Universe, coupled with technology enabled messaging options through Digital advertisements will facilitate effective delivery of citizen centric message in a targeted manner, resulting in cost efficiencies in public oriented campaigns. In recent years, the way audiences consume media has witnessed a significant shift towards the digital space. The Government of India’s Digital India program has led to a huge growth in the number of people in the country who are now connected to the internet, social and digital media platforms. As per TRAI’s Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators January–March 2023, the internet penetration in India as of March 2023, is over 880 million, and the number of telecom subscribers as of March 2023 is over 1172 million.

The Policy will enable CBC to empanel agencies and organisations in the OTT and Video on Demand Space. CBC will also be able to leverage the growing number of listeners to Podcasts and Digital Audio platforms through empanelment of Digital Audio platforms. Apart from rationalising its process of empanelling Internet Websites, CBC now for the first time will be able to channelize its public service campaign messages through Mobile Applications too. With Social Media Platforms becoming one of the popular channels of public conversations, the policy further streamlines the process through which CBC can place advertisements for government clients on these platforms. The policy also empowers CBC to empanel Digital Media Agencies to enhance its outreach through the various platforms.

The Policy also recognizes the dynamic nature of the digital landscape and empowers CBC to on board New and Innovative Communication Platforms in the Digital Space with the approval of a duly constituted committee. The CBC’s Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023, introduces competitive bidding for rate discovery, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Rates discovered through this process will remain valid for three years and will be applicable to all eligible agencies.

In today’s era almost all Ministries/Departments of the Government of India have a dedicated social media handles, which produces a large quantum of infographics and videos whose reach is limited to the subscribers of the handles. This outreach of government Ministries and departments will be further supplemented by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Media Unit, Central Bureau of Communication which is the designated organisation for issue of advertisements through all forms of media. The Digital Advertisement Policy 2023 has been formulated after a wide raging discussions with multiple stakeholders and outlines the roadmap of enhancing the Digital Outreach of the Government of India and improve information dissemination to the Citizens.

The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and is responsible for creating awareness and disseminating information about various government programs, schemes, and policies in India. CBC is committed to adapting to the changing media landscape and embracing new technologies to reach a wider audience.

3.Ethics Committee in Parliament

I.The genesis of formation of Ethics Committee in Parliament can be traced to a resolution adopted at the Presiding Officers Conference held in New Delhi in October, 1996 which desired the legislatures to explore the possibility of constituting Ethics Committee. It is in pursuance of this resolution that endeavour for setting up of Ethics Committee in Indian Legislatures began in right earnest.

II. The Ethics Committee, Rajya Sabha, the first such Committee by any legislature in India was constituted by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha on 4 March 1997, to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of the Members and to examine the cases referred to it with reference to ethical and other misconduct of Members. It was provided that in all respects of procedure and other matters, the rules applicable to the Committee of Privileges shall apply to the Ethics Committee with such variations and modifications as the Chairman, Rajya Sabha may, from time to time, make

(a) to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of the Members; and

(b) to examine the cases referred to it with reference to ethical and other misconduct of the Members.

(D) The Committee shall be nominated by the Speaker and shall hold office for a term not exceeding one year.

(E) There shall be a Committee on Ethics consisting of not more than fifteen members. (2) The Committee shall be nominated by the Speaker and shall hold office for a term not exceeding one year.

10. Governance

A. institutions

B. regulatory

C. Government policies

D. role of NGOs

E.measures

11. Social Justice

A. Welfare schemes

B Health

Ayurveda Day celebrated

three Vaidyas were given National Dhanvantari Ayurveda Awards

on the occasion of the eighth Ayurveda Day, Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that Ayurveda is like a boon in this era of nuclear power, pesticides, and a toxic environment. With continuous efforts, the Ministry of Ayush has established more than eight thousand wellness centers across the country. To further strengthen the service delivery of the Ayush sector, the Ayush Grid Project was launched and arrangements were made to strengthen it. Ayurveda Day is celebrated every year on Dhanvantari Jayanti. By organizing the event every year, the fame of Ayurveda Day has increased across the world. The need for medicinal plant cultivation is increasing rapidly across the world due to global expansion. This time on the occasion of the eighth Ayurveda Day, a micro website of Ayurveda Day was created which got the support of about twenty crore people from all over the world. In his presidential address, Shri Sonowal said that the message of Ayurveda Day’s global campaign ‘Ayurveda for One Health’ and the global theme of G-20 meeting ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ have left such an indelible impression that the whole world is watching.

Special guest of the program, Haryana Legislative Assembly Speaker Shri Gyan Chand Gupta praised the Ministry of Ayush for celebrating Ayurveda Day on this large scale in the country and the world and also underlined the efforts being made by the Haryana Government for the development of Ayurveda.

Union Minister of State for Ayush, Shri Munjapara Mahendrabhai, present at the celebration of Ayurveda Day, said that institutions like IIT, AIIMS and CSIR have joined hands with Ayush to understand the molecular properties of Ayurvedic medicines. With the help of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), mapping of medicinal plants present across the country is being done. Shri Munajpara said that Ayurveda is not limited to human health only but there are other streams related to it like Vrikshayurveda, Animal Ayurveda and all these together create a healthy Ayurveda environment. Notification of regulation of Ayurveda diet by FSSAI is a big success for Ayush.

On this occasion, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said that the data recorded in the microsite specially created for the celebration of the eighth Ayurveda Day shows that about 20 crore people from all over the world cooperated in the month-long campaign, in a total of 20 thousand activities. Around 17 lakh people participated. The microsite reached 102 countries and “Run for Ayurveda” was organized at 424 locations. News of these events were published in regional and national media of about 80 countries.

C. Education

D.Human Resources

E.poverty and hunger

12. International relations

A. India and its neighbourhood

B. groupings and agreements

C.Indian diaspora

D.International institutions

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal will visit San Francisco, United States of America, from 13th to 16th November 2023 to attend the various official engagements of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). He will also interact with eminent business persons, prominent academics, US officials and industry leaders during the visit to further strengthen economic and commercial relations partnership between the two nations.

The Commerce and Industry Minister will participate in the third in-person IPEF Ministerial meeting from November 13-14, 2023, which is likely to see significant updates on the progress of negotiations. The Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the US Secretary of Commerce, USTR and Ministers from other IPEF partner countries on the sidelines of the IPEF Ministerial.

The Minister would be representing India at the IPEF Leaders’ Meeting and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) – IPEF Investor Forum meeting on November 16, 2023. The Minister would also be representing India at the APEC Economic Leaders Engagements from November 15-16, 2023. India has been invited to the 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting 2023 as a Guest Economy.

During the visit, the Commerce and Industry Minister will have bilateral meetings with US Commerce Secretary, Ms. Gina Raimondo, USTR, Ms. Katherine Tai and representatives from various sectors and industries. These meetings will focus on addressing trade barriers, promoting investments, and fostering greater cooperation in areas such as technology and innovation.

One of the key focus of the visit will be the joint event, co-chaired with US Commerce Secretary, Ms. Gina Raimondo on “India-USA Innovation Handshake Initiative”, with the aim to lift up and connect the two sides’ dynamic startup ecosystems, address specific regulatory hurdles to cooperation, and promote further innovation and job growth, particularly in emerging technologies.

The Commerce and Industry Minister will also participate in the investors roundtable along with one-to-one meetings with CEOs. He will also interact with various stakeholders such as students, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and Indian diaspora etc. Shri Goyal is expected to interact with globally renowned technology, entrepreneurship, and academic communities in the Bay Area, specifically, in the Silicon Valley to undertake focused discussions with American companies looking to invest or expand in India across sectors – Electronics (including Semiconductor), Technology, FinTech etc.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the IPEF launch event along with President of the United States, Mr. Joe Biden; Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Kishida Fumio; and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23, 2022 at Tokyo. In the first-ever in-person Ministerial meeting in September 2022, Pillar-wise Ministerial statements were issued outlining the broad contours of text-based negotiations. In December 2022, negotiations on all the four Pillar Agreements were launched and in May 2023, negotiations on the Pillar-II Agreement were substantially concluded.

The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement among partner countries with the goal of advancing growth, peace and prosperity in the region. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I); Supply Chains (Pillar II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV).

India is committed to a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific Region and would work towards deepening economic cooperation among partners for growth and prosperity of the region. The framework is inclusive and allows flexibility to partner countries to associate with pillars based on their respective priorities.

Both India and USA are natural partners and have trade complementarities, long standing strategic and economic relationship, people to people contact, and both are vibrant democracies too. The two countries are also collaborating under other frameworks such as QUAD and I2U2 (India-Israel/ UAE-USA). Regular exchanges at the leadership-level have been an integral element of the expanding bilateral engagement. The visit reflects the determination to forge strong and mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships that will not only benefit the economies of both India and the USA but also contribute to the overall prosperity and welfare of their respective citizens.

13. Economic Development

A. Government Budgeting

1.Gross Direct Tax Collections for FY 2023-24 up to 09.11.2023

The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections up to 09^th November, 2023 continue to register steady growth. The Gross Direct Tax collections are at Rs. 12.37 lakh crore, which is 17.59% higher than the gross collections for the corresponding period of last year. Direct Tax collection, net of refunds, stands at Rs. 10.60 lakh crore which is 21.82% higher than the net collections for the corresponding period of last year. This collection is 58.15% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for F.Y. 2023-24.

So far as the growth rate for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) in terms of gross revenue collections is concerned, the growth rate for CIT is 7.13% while that for PIT is 28.29% (PIT only)/ 27.98% [PIT including Securities Transactions Tax (STT)]. After adjustment of refunds, the net growth in CIT collections is 12.48% and that in PIT collections is 31.77% (PIT only)/ 31.26% (PIT including STT).

– agricultural produce

2.APEDA facilitates export of first trial shipment of banana to The Netherlands via sea

India is world’s largest producer of banana

In a significant boost to the prospects of fresh fruit exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has facilitated the export of the first trial shipment of fresh bananas to the Netherlands, by InI Farms, via a sea route.

The first export consignment of one container of bananas to the Netherlands was flagged off yesterday (9th November, 2023) by APEDA Chairman Shri Abhishek Dev from Baramati, Maharashtra.

For the trial shipment of bananas, APEDA has enlisted the support of ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow for technical assistance while InI Farms has partnered with Del Monte for marketing and distribution in Europe, and Maersk for logistics.

The trial shipment of bananas to Europe was carried out by the APEDA-registered ‘InI Farms,’ a top exporter of fruits and vegetables from India and their produce being exported to over 35 countries worldwide. Over the past two years, the firm has made extensive efforts to enhance the quality and shelf life of bananas to meet the strict standards of the European market. As part of the Agrostar group InI Farms has also established a value chain for bananas by working directly with farmers.

During the event, the APEDA Chairman mentioned that the beginning of banana exports to the Netherlands would lead to higher prices and increased income for farmers. He also highlighted that this trial shipment would open up the significant export potential of the European market for Indian bananas.

The long-distance market and high costs were obstacles to starting commercial operations, and the export of the first trial shipment of bananas will help build capacities among Indian exporters and European Union (EU) importers by ensuring the export of quality fruits.

Despite being the world’s largest banana producer, India’s export share is currently just one percent in the global market, even though the country accounts for 26.45 percent of the world’s banana production at 35.36 Million Metric Ton. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported bananas worth USD 176 million, equivalent to 0.36 MMT.

With the first trial shipment to the European market, it is estimated that India may be able to export bananas worth more than USD one billion in the next five years. This could also lead to an increase in the income of more than 25,000 farmers and create rural livelihoods directly for over 10,000 people in the supply chain and indirectly provide employment for over 50,000 people on farms.

The major export destinations for Indian bananas include Iran, Iraq, UAE, Oman, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and the Maldives. Additionally, there are abundant export opportunities in countries such as the USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, China, the Netherlands, the UK, and France.

As India has been playing a larger role in banana trade with the Middle East for the last 15 years, it is estimated that exports will exceed USD 303 million in the fiscal year 2024.

Banana is a major horticultural crop grown in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh is the largest banana-producing state, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. These five states collectively contribute around 67 percent to India’s banana production in the fiscal year 2022-23.

B. industrial

C. Infrastructure

1.NHAI Accepts First Insurance Surety Bond as Bid Security for NHAI TOT Bid for Monetization

To boost liquidity and capacity of bidders, NHAI has accepted Insurance Surety Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Bundle 14. This will be the first time this innovative instrument is being utilized as a Bank Guarantee (BG) in the road infrastructure sector for monetization of bids. NHAI has been working closely with Highway Operators Association of India (HOAI), SBI General Insurance and AON India Insurance to implement this initiative.

Insurance Surety Bond has been issued for NHAI monetization bid of TOT bundle 14 @ 0.25% by the insurer without any margin money. This will translate into big saving for Concessionaires, which will further enhance liquidity in the market, thereby fostering an environment conducive to the growth and development of the road sector.

Issuance of Insurance Surety Bond will set a new benchmark for the industry, highlighting the importance of innovative financial solutions in the evolving landscape of road infrastructure development. It will encourage private participation in the highway sector and will be a significant step towards facilitating ‘Ease of Doing Business’.

Since 2022, NHAI has received 1,665 BGs amounting to Rs.15,000 crore. This large volume of BGs offers a huge scope for Insurance Companies and wider adoption of surety bonds will boost availability of capital for road projects. NHAI has urged insurance companies and contractors to use Insurance Surety Bonds as an additional mode of submitting Bid Security and /or Performance Security. So far, over 40 Surety Bonds have been issued for various NHAI contracts.

Insurance Surety Bonds are instruments where insurance companies act as ‘Surety’ and provides the financial guarantee that the contractor will fulfil its obligation as per the agreed terms. Ministry of Finance, Government of India has made e-BG and Insurance Surety Bonds at par with Bank Guarantees for all Government procurements.

2.Coal Ministry to Embark on Developing Pump Storage Projects in de-Coaled Mines

Ministry of Coal is embarking on a plan to develop Pump Storage Projects (PSP) in de-coaled coal mines, leveraging the economic advantages of vast land bank and economic viability. The aim of the plan is to diversify towards alternative source of energy. Through pump storage projects, it is planned to utilize solar energy to develop hydro electricity promoting sustainable development in the coal sector. This initiative aims to harness the solar energy during the day and generation of hydro-electricity at night.

Pumped storage power plants use gravity to generate electricity using water that has previously been pumped from a reservoir in the pit into an upper reservoir at surface. During periods of low demand, the water is pumped into the higher reservoir. When demand is high, the water is released to drive a turbine in a powerhouse and feed electricity into the grid. It is pertinent that over 200 de-coaled mines with huge land area are available in coal producing areas. Many of these mines are feasible for PSPs as lower reservoir, head of water and land are available.

In a diversification review meeting, chaired by Secretary, Coal Ministry, Coal India Limited (CIL) has informed that more than 20 abandoned mines have been identified for evaluation and feasibility study for pump storage projects. NLCIL has also taken up feasibility study on PSP. Further, direction has been given for Stakeholders consultation with agencies who may be interested in undertaking such projects and to identify additional sites that can be used for setting up of pump storage projects. The business model like EPC and PPP may be finalized in consultation with stakeholders and such project may implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders, including state governments, private players and research institutions.

D. Investment models

E.issues

14. Technology

1.DoT issues public advisory on malicious calls

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is the nodal agency for formulating policies, programs, and regulatory frameworks for the telecommunications sector in India, committed to ensuring the security and well-being of citizens, the DoT strives to provide reliable and secure communication services across the nation.

DoT is alerting citizens about a surge in malicious calls claiming that mobile numbers will be disconnected within two hours by the DoT. These calls are fraudulent attempts to deceive and potentially exploit individuals.

Key Information:

The DoT does not make calls to citizens threatening disconnection.
Citizens are urged to exercise caution and not provide any personal information if they receive such calls.

Precautions Advised by the DoT:

Verification: Do not share any personal information if you receive a call threatening disconnection. Verify the authenticity of such calls with your service providers.
Stay Informed: Be aware that the DoT does not communicate disconnection warnings via phone calls. Any such call should be treated as suspicious.
Report Incidents: Report any suspicious calls at the National Cyber Crime Reporting
Portal https://cybercrime.gov.in.

The DoT emphasizes the importance of staying vigilant, verifying information, and promptly reporting any suspicious activity. The Department is working closely with law enforcement agencies to address these fraudulent calls and protect citizens from potential exploitation.

15. Environment

1.Karnataka’s 3R- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Launching a wide range of activities and initiatives under the Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali the campaign, Cities are all geared up for swachh festivities. Karnataka has set up Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) centre kiosks in open fields, market places, other high footfall areas. These kiosks are encouraging citizens to not only donate their old, unused items but to sign up for Swachh Diwali Signature campaign. The RRRs Centre are decorated with artefacts made by school children and diyas and other eco-friendly products made by SHGs, NGOs etc. For community involvement, all religious places are being encouraged to make Shubh Diwali Rangolis from natural flowers, leaves or natural colours. QR code standees have also been placed outside religious places, in markets, bus stops, shopping malls and theatres to register citizen pledges. To encourage eco-friendly and locally made products, special markets are being organized along with APMC that feature eco-friendly Diwali products made by SHGs, from decorations to gifts and sweets, encouraging people to make responsible choices.

16. Security

1.INDIA & BANGLADESH NAVIES UNDERTAKE CORPAT & EX-BONGOSAGAR

The 4th edition of Bilateral Exercise between Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy, BONGOSAGAR-23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies was conducted in the Northern Bay of Bengal from 07 – 09 Nov 2023. Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), and subsequently conducted maritime exercises to enhance interoperability.

Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise along with Bangladesh Navy Ships Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaidah and MPA. The ships undertook communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical manoeuvres and other exercises that culminated with a steam past. CORPAT-23 also included the maiden Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills conducted between the two navies wherein a Search and Rescue scenario at sea was exercised. Regular bilateral exercises and coordinated patrols have strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies.

INS Kuthar is an indigenously built guided-missile Corvette, whereas INS Kiltan is an indigenously built anti-submarine Corvette. Both ships are part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, which functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

2. Police in T.N., Karnataka to quiz Maoists held in Kerala

he antinaxal squads from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka will soon interrogate the three suspected Maoists — Srimathi alias Unnimaya, Chandru, and Aneesh Babu alias Thampi — who were arrested by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Kerala Police recently. Officers from the two States are in touch with the SOG to gather the preliminary investigation details.

Police sources reveal that the two main Maoist functionaries, Srimathi, a native of Karnataka, and Chandru, a native of Tamil Nadu, who were nabbed

Tafter a gunfight in Wayanad on Tuesday night are suspected to be the brains behind a series of attacks in southern States. The two have been remanded in police custody but are yet to reveal anything about their activities though the SOG is continuing their interrogation.

Aneesh Babu, a native of Tamil Nadu who was remanded in police custody on Thursday for allegedly working as a messenger for Maoists, has also been evading questions. According to the police sources, Aneesh Babu, arrested from Koyilandy, has contacted the other two many times to exchange various confidential communications and parcels.

The source of an INSAS rifle and an AK47 rifle seized from the Maoists during the Wayanad encounter still remains mysterious. Ballistic experts are now at work to find out the origin based on the arms’ serial numbers.

17. Disaster Management