The Ministry of Defence is organizing a ‘CEOs Round Table’ on 13th February, the inaugural Day of Aero India 2023, under the chairmanship of Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh. The platform, with theme “Sky is not the limit: opportunities beyond boundaries”, is expected to lay the foundation of a more robust interaction between the Industry Partners and Government with an eye on bolstering the ‘Make-in India’ campaign. It is further expected to increase ‘Ease of doing business’ in India and also provide a favorable platform to OEMs for manufacturing in India.
The Round Table will see participation from officials,delegates and global CEOs from 26 countries including global investors such as Boeing, Lockheed, Israel Aerospace Industries, General Atomics, Liebherr Group, Raytheon Technologies, Safran, General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI) etc.Domestic PSUslike Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), BEML Limited, MishraDhatu Nigam Limited will also participate in the Round Table. Premier private Defence and Aerospace manufacturing companies from India such as Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge, Dynamitic Technologies, BrahMos Aerosapceare also likely to be part of the event.

This would engage industries for co-development and co-production to make India a commercial manufacturing hub and base for global product support. It will explore Indian and Global markets; create opportunities for industries to not just ‘Make in India’, but ‘Make in India’ for the world.
India has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies globally,providing the world with a thriving and stable environment for investments and trade. The growing focus on India can be attributed to its business environment and pursuit of cost-effective competitiveness.

Today, India has the 3rd largest military in the world and the Government plans to spend USD 130 billion for fleet modernization over the next 5-7 years. A series of policy initiatives such as De-licensing, De-regulation, Positive Indigenization Lists for import substitution, Export Promotion, FDI Liberalization and Establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors amongst others have been taken by the Government to boost “Self-reliance”in the Indian defence manufacturing eco-system.

A premier exhibition in the global aviation industry, Aero India, is India’s Aerospace and Defence exhibition, held biennially at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka in a total area of around 35,000 sqm. This year marks the 14th edition of the exhibition since its inception in 1996 and provides a unique opportunity to the industry to showcase its capabilities, products and services. In this edition of Aero show, a total 731 exhibitors have participated across the world.
The five-day event will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and will include aerial displays by aircrafts along with a large exhibition and trade fair of aerospace companies. This year, the exhibition is expected to be the biggest airshow with the highest rate of participation and will feature top international think-tanks, major aerospace companies and world leaders.

As India is emerging as a promising Aerospace and Defence manufacturing hub, global companies are discovering new partnerships for mutual goal. The Aero India show provides numerous platforms for firms within the Aerospace and Defence industries to forge partnerships to address the present and future needs of this sector.

The Hon ‘ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot visited the National Academy of
Customs, Indirect Ta xes and Narcotics (NACIN) in Bengaluru as Chief Guest of the event DIKSUCHI 2023
and addressed the 74th Batch of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers and the Customs Officers of the
Raval Government of Bhuta

2. During his visit, the Hon’ ble Governor emphasized the role of Customs and GST department in shaping
   the country’s economy. Today, our economy is the fifth largest in the world, and it is on its way to
   becoming a $5 trillion-dollar economy. The Hon’ ble Governor congratulated the 74th Batch of IRS trainee
   officers for joining the Government at a momentous tim e where the country is celebrating the Azaadi Ka
   Arnrit Mahotsav as well as holding the Chairmanship of G20. He also urged the young officers to imbibe
   the Panchpran (five resolutions) envisaged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister to achieve the objectives of New
   India during the Amrit Kaai leading to 100th year of independence . He also appreciated the NACIN for
   providing holistic training to the young officers.
3. The officers from the CBIC fraternity, the Principal Chief Commissioner Smt. Ranjana Jha (IRS), the
   Principal Director General (Systerm) Shri . S. R Baruah (IRS) and the Additional Director General of NACIN
   Bengaluru Shri G. Narayanaswamy (IRS) were also present during the event.
   4- :l~e Hon’ble Governor’s visit to NACIN was a significant event, and it was attended by several senior
   officials from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. The visit was also an opportunity for the
   Bhutanese customs officials to gain insights into the functioning of the Indian Customs Administration and
   to exchange best practices.

Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar

Shivamogga (K’taka): Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said he has been asked by the ED to appear before it on February 22, while his daughter has been served notice by the CBI.

The former Minister, who is currently undertaking “Praja Dhwani Yatre” as part of the party’s preparations for the coming Assembly polls due by May, alleged that the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation are “directed” only at opposition leaders and not at those from the ruling party.

“Everyday notices are coming, yesterday it has come to my daughter, it has come to our college, regarding fees paid, exam passed. CBI has issued the notice. What should I say? If they are questioning me about college fees payment, imagine what all they are asking. I leave it to (god),” said Shivakumar, who appeared frustrated with the developments, throwing up his hands in apparent despair.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “I have answered to ED and come back regarding what I have given to ‘National Herald’, now again they are asking me to appear before ED on February 22. What to do? Should I go ahead with ‘Praja Dwani Yatre’ or appear before the ED, I’m thinking.”

“It (ED and CBI inquiries) is only against opposition parties and not the ruling party, irrespective of the thousands of crores they may have amassed, no ED questions them,” he added.

Shivakumar had earlier appeared before the ED in Delhi for questioning in the National Herald money laundering case.

The Kanakapura MLA first got into the ED crosshairs when he was arrested by the agency on September 3, 2019 following multiple rounds of questioning in a case that emerged from an Income tax department action against him.

The Delhi High Court had granted him bail in October of that year.

In May last year, the agency filed a charge sheet against him and some others linked to him in this case.

He was questioned by the ED in September, in another money laundering case linked to the alleged possession of disproportionate assets.

The 2019 case was registered after taking cognisance of a charge sheet (prosecution complaint) filed by the Income Tax Department against them the previous year before a special court in Bengaluru on charges of alleged tax evasion and hawala transactions worth crores.

The I-T department has accused Shivkumar and his alleged associates of transporting huge amounts of unaccounted cash on a regular basis through hawala’ channels with the help of three other accused.

CBI officials had earlier conducted searches in educational institutions run by Shivakumar in connection with a case of disproportionate assets which is under investigation.

Shivakumar is the chairman of the National Education Foundation (NEF) and his daughter D K S Aisshwarya is trustee secretary, while other family members are trustees.

Bengaluru: Days after his controversial statement that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi belonged to a sect of Brahmins which desecrated the Sringeri Shankaracharya Peeth and assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said his statement was misconstrued as he had not blamed all Brahmins.

The second-in-command of Janata Dal (Secular) also said he always had the portraits of some iconic religious leaders who belonged to the Brahmin community.

“I never did caste-based politics. I never asked people their caste whenever they approached me for help. I am not the one who insults people for their caste. The Brahmin community is leading life in a cultured manner,” Kumaraswamy clarified days after the statement sparked a controversy drawing criticism.

Explaining further, the JD(S) leader said he had only referred to those who had attacked the Chandramauleshwara temple in Sringeri, a section which assassinated Mahatma Gandhi and Maratha ruler Shivaji.

He said those who were behind these incidents were not from Karnataka but neighbouring state of Maharashtra.

Kumaraswamy also said his outburst was due to the poor way the border dispute pertaining to Belagavi was handled.

“The way you are taking Belagavi, all these things keeping in mind, I had given a statement. My statement was not to hurt any community,” Kumaraswamy said.

Showing the portrait of Adiguru Shankaracharya, who had established the Sringeri Peeth, which adorns his office, the JD(S) leader said, “You can see whose photographs we have in our office. The same photographs you can find in my bedroom as well.”

Two days ago, Kumaraswamy had claimed that RSS was “conspiring” to make Joshi, who is Union Minister for Coal and Mines, the chief minister of Karnataka along with eight deputies after the Assembly polls, and alleged the latter belonged to a category among Brahmins, who lacked culture and divides society.

Coming down heavily on Joshi for criticising JD(S)’ dynasty politics and its ‘Pancharatna Ratha Yatra’, the former Chief Minister had said he (Joshi) belongs to a Brahmin sect to which Maratha Peshwas belonged that had allegedly destroyed Sringeri Math, established by Adi Shankaracharya and desecrated the idol there, and also that killed Gandhi.

To a question, Kumaraswamy exuded confidence that his party will get a clear majority in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Regarding Hassan Assembly constituency where his sister-in-law Bhavani Revanna is keen to contest election despite the first family’s unwillingness to field her, Kumaraswamy said, “There is no confusion. An easy solution will come out regarding Hassan.”

He blamed a ‘section’ which was creating confusion, who are always there on all the occasions.

“How much ever that section tries, it will never succeed. I know how to set right things. We have the backing of divine power, which led to the formation of our government twice though we were in minority.”

BENGALURU: Researchers who gathered in a training programme on “Health in a Changing Climate: Empowering health professionals” at the Indian Institute of Science brought to light the high radon content in groundwater used for drinking in some areas in the outskirts of Bengaluru.  This radon emanates from radioactive granites. Radon when ingested over an extended period can increase the risk of lung cancer.

According to experts, radon derives naturally from uranium through radioactive decay to radium and radon.

Radon is found to be 50 to 100 times the permissible limit of 11.1 Bq per litre as per initial studies by the researchers.  This finding has drawn increased attention to the study of radon in drinking water.

As radon comes naturally from uranium, the researchers realised uranium content could be high too. They found high content of uranium in groundwater, in some part in the outskirts of Bengaluru, including Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Chintamani and Pavagada.

Researchers said the level of uranium is found to be up to 300 micrograms per litre in the water against the permissible limit of 60 micrograms per litre, in some parts of city outskirts. In Chikkaballapur, Kolar and Chintamani it ranges from 5000-6000 micrograms per litre. “The measure of radon is being studied as it is a matter of concern,” the reaearcher said.

Radon in the air is not a major matter of concern if the area is well-ventilated. It should not accumulate indoors, said Prof R Srinivasan, from Divecha Centre for Climate Change (DCCC), IISc. He was speaking to The New Indian Express on the sidelines of the first day of the two-day-long training programme.

Radon in air, and uranium in water can cause cancer of lungs and kidneys.

The presence of radon in air and water leads to damage of lung tissues, threatening cancer of the lungs while the presence of uranium affects the urinary tract leading to kidney cancer.

No further studies on radon: Officials 

Dr. H. Paramesh, World Health Organization Consultant and Professor at DCCC also confirmed that initial studies have found uranium in some places at Chikkaballapur to be 1000, against the permitted levels of 30-60 micrograms per litre.

Interestingly while some officials at Groundwater Board, now retired had studied the presence of Radon in water, present working officials admitted that they have not taken up further studies on it.

Srinivasan said attention was also being paid on how to dispose off waste water after treatment as it also has high content of uranium.

He said studies on the wastewater of reverse osmosis (RO) units have found high content of Uranium and has been a matter of concern.

Researchers also said that uranium comes from minerals like pitchblende, zircon, monazite among others in the rocks of the region.        

Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah and state Congress President D K Shivakumar will embark on separate bus tour from Friday, as part of party’s ‘Praja Dhwani Yatre’ ahead of assembly elections, after concluding the joint tour in the first phase.

One team of Congress leaders headed by Siddaramaiah will tour Assembly constituencies in north Karnataka region, while Shivakumar will be leading the way in southern districts.

Siddaramaiah, a former Chief Minister, who also commands popularity in the northern part of the state, will kickstart his bus tour along with a team of 35 party leaders from Basavakalyan in Bidar district.

He will first visit ‘Anubhava Mantapa’, where he is expected to pay respects to the statue of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara before addressing a public meeting there.

During the yatre till February 18 (in between taking a break to attend events and assembly session), he will be covering assembly constituencies in the districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Hubballi, Dharwad, and Koppal.

Shivakumar will be undertaking his bus yatra between February 3 and 9, heading a team of 54 party leaders. He will start his yatra in Mulbagal in Kolar district, after performing pooja at the famous Kurudumale Maha Ganapathi temple.

He will cover assembly segments in Kolar, Chitradurga, Bengaluru Rural and Shivamogga districts. Shivakumar hails from Vokkaliga community, which is a dominant community in several parts of southern districts.

Hitting the road in the poll-bound state, the Congress on January 11 had begun its first phase of statewide ‘Praja Dhwani Yatre’ from Belagavi.

As part of the bus yatra then, both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, who are nursing chief ministerial ambitions in the event of the Congress coming to power, traveled jointly until January 29.

BENGALURU: With pending traffic fines running into crores, the state transport department as a one-time measure has offered a 50-per cent discount to those violators who pay up their penalties before February 11. The department passed the statewide order on Thursday.

It should be noted that Bengaluru alone, filed the highest number of traffic violations in the world, and collected nearly Rs 180 crore in the form of fines. In just one year, with the help of AI, the Bengaluru Traffic Police registered more than one crore cases for traffic violations.

The one-time measure will be in force till February 11, giving 50-per cent discounts to those who have received e-challans. The order was passed on Thursday after it held a meeting chaired by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) in January. KSLSA has insisted that the transport department take steps at the earliest and report compliance in order to ensure access to justice for all. Acting upon the KSLSA, the department has issued the order.

ADGP and Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M A Saleem said, “Under this one-time measure, the opportunity will be given to all those who have pending traffic e-challans. Fifty-per cent discount will be given on the fine amount levied”.

He added that the discount will apply to all types of traffic violations. While it is said that the fines can be paid online, it is still unclear if there will be offline payments that can be made.

UDUPI/MANGALURU: With Assembly elections approaching, the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada units of Sri Rama Sene have urged the BJP not to field candidates from the Karkala constituency and instead support Sene chief Pramod Mutalik.

Sene Udupi district unit spokesperson Sharath Poojary said Mutalik will contest the elections from Karkala as an Independent candidate.

“If the BJP has any presence in the coastal and north Karnataka regions now, it is because of Mutalik’s contribution,” he added.

However, Poojary’s statement has been countered by Karkala BJP leader B Maniraj Shetty. He said that Mutalik may not even secure 3,000 votes if he contests from Karkala as an Independent. ‘’It is nothing but a pressure tactic by Muthalik and his team. Congress is backing his team… Mutalik’s team can now be called Congress’ B Team,” he added.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, Sri Rama Sene state general secretary Anand Shetty Adyar said, “Hindu community is upset over increase in corruption, anti-Hindu policies, neglect of Hindutva leaders and false cases against them and are looking for a responsible and honest candidate like Mutalik.”

Bengaluru: Terming the Central budget as a seedless peanut’, the Congress in Karnataka on Wednesday claimed that it has nothing to offer to the people, especially for the State.

In a set of tweets, the party came down heavily on the ruling BJP in the State for “not getting Rs 23,000 crore for the Upper Bhadra project as it settled for a mere Rs 5,300 crore,” as announced by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the budget.

It also took a dig at the budget for “doing nothing” for farmers in Karnataka.

“The Central government’s budget is like a “seedless peanut”! This budget is similar to the ‘white crow’ called ‘Rs 20-lakh crore package’!”

There is no hope for the youth who are desperate for employment, the Congress alleged.

It also flayed the BJP at the Centre for “not coming out with any action plan to control price rise.”

“The Central government has belied the expectations of people who were hoping that their suffering will reduce,” the party said.

The Congress slammed the Karnataka unit of the ruling BJP which it said calls itself a “double- engine government”.

It sought to know why Karnataka got “nothing” in the Central budget and why only a “meagre” Rs 5,300 crore has been allocated for the Bhadra Upper Bank Project, which requires Rs 23,000 crore.

It also wondered why Mekedatu and Mahadayi schemes did not find any mention.

The party also took a dig at the budget for not mentioning anything about the capital- intensive suburban rail project in the State.

“The deadline for the work of the suburban train is coming to an end. For the Rs 18,000- crore project, a paltry sum has been allocated, which shows the Centre’s callous attitude towards Karnataka. BJP definitely has no intention of completing it within the stipulated time- frame,” the party said.

Alleging that Karnataka ranks second in farmer suicides among States in the country, the party asked the BJP State unit as to “what was there for the farmers of the State in the budget.”

“Farmers’ problems will not be solved by catchy terms like agriculture digitisation’. The Prime Minister does not seem to know the fact that crops cannot be grown with digital technology!” the Congress said.

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday ordered issuing of notices to Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and others in a public interest litigation taken on its own over the death of two persons due to the collapse of an under-construction metro pillar here.

The BMRCL was given two weeks’ time to respond to the court.

The state government, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the BMRCL chief engineer and Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited are the other respondents in the case.

The High Court had initiated the suo-moto (on its own) PIL on January 13 following the death of software engineer Tejaswini and her two-year-old son when the pillar pier collapsed on the two-wheeler they were travelling in, near Hennur main road in the city on January 10.

The division bench of Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty heard the petition that the court had itself directed the Registrar General to initiate.

While initiating the PIL earlier this month, the High Court had said it was taking cognisance of news reports about the incident. “These news items prompted us to take cognisance of the incident referred to wherein there is an unfortunate death of a lady and toddler son at the condition of roads, the issue raises concern and question for the public at large.”

Meanwhile, the BMRCL had suspended three engineers and issued notices to its contractor Nagarjuna Construction Company. The police had booked nine persons including officials of BMRCL.