MoD to take nearly 5,000 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles fro BDL

The process of filing of nominations closes on Friday for the third Phase of Assembly Elections in West Bengal, third and final phase in Assam. It also ends today for the assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry, where the polling is being held in a single phase. Electioneering for the Assembly Elections is gaining momentum in all the States, particularly in the constituencies where Friday was the last date for filing nominations. 47 Assembly Constituencies in Assam and 30 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal go to polls on  March 27 in the First Phase. In the second phase polling will be held on  April 1 in 30 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal and 39 Assembly Constituencies of Assam. 40 Assembly Constituencies of Assam and 31 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal will go to polls on  April 6 in the third Phase.Kerala, Tamil Nadu along with the Union Territory of Puducherry will go to polls on a single day on  April 6. On that day polling would be held for all the 140 Assembly Constituencies of Kerala and 234 Assembly Constituencies in Tamil Nadu along with 30 Assembly Constituencies in Puducherry. Polling would also be held for Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha seat in Tamil Nadu and Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala simultaneously, where the by-elections are being held.

-Lok Sabha has passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2021. The Bill seeks to amend the Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 and provide for removal of distinction between captive and merchant mines. The Bill empowers the Central Government to issue directions regarding composition and utilization of funds maintained by the District Mineral Foundation. The Bill provides that captive mines other than atomic minerals may sell up to 50 per cent of their annual mineral production in the open market after meeting their own needs.Speaking on the Bill, Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said that it has been brought to reform the mining sector in the country. He said, the country has large reserves of several minerals but only 45 per cent were tapped so far which have resulted in dependence on imports. Terming the Bill historic, Mr. Joshi said it will increase the production level of minerals, generate employment, increase revenues and ensure private participation in the exploration and mining activities. He added that more than 55 lakh employment will be generated in the country with the implementation of these reforms. Minister clarified that all revenue generated from the mining activities will be utilized by the State only. However, he said, the Bill empowers the central government to specify a time period for completion of the auction process in consultation with the state government. Considering the suggestions, he proposed that Member of Parliament will be a member of the District Mineral Foundation. The Minister said, the amended bill will attract Foreign Direct Investment and technologies in the mining sector.

-Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for supply of four thousand 960 MILAN-2T Anti-Tank Guided Missiles to Indian Army. The Defence Public Sector Undertaking will supply the missiles at a cost of one thousand 188 crore rupees. It is a repeat order of contract, which was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited on March 8, 2016. The Milan-2T is a Tandem Warhead Anti-Tank Guided Missile with a range of one thousand 850 metres. These missiles can be fired from ground as well as vehicle-based launchers. They can be deployed in Anti-Tank Role for both offensive and defensive tasks. It is produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited under license from MBDA Missile Systems, France.The Ministry said, induction is planned to be completed in three years which will enhance the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces. This project will further boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government. It is also a big opportunity for the defence industry to showcase its capability.

-The government has reiterated that Covid-19 vaccines are safe and there should be no doubt on their efficacy.Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabhaon Friday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harshvardhan said that any vaccine undergoes rigorous scientific trials and experts’ scrutiny at national and international level before it is administered.The health minister said, minimal side effects have been reported with regard to Covid-19 vaccines in the country so far. He urged the people to come forward to take Covid-19 vaccines.

-Bangladeshl police on Friday arrested 22 people involved in the attack on Hindu house in the Noagaon village in Sunamganj. Police conducted raids in different places in the Shalla Upazila in the last 24 hours and arrested the culprits.A large mob had attacked the Noagaon village in Sunamganj on Wednesday after a local youth made a Facebook post against a leader of the hardline Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam. The Hefazat-e-Islam leaders had participated in a public meeting in the area on Monday in which they had made speeches against which the local youth posted some comments on the Facebook. It allegedly enraged the supporters of the leader of Hefazat-e-Islam who attacked the village.Taking action on the incident, the Director General of Rapid Action Battalion Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun visited the victims of the attacks on Thursday. He had assured that people involved in the attacks on Hindu households will not be spared.