News Analysis India

Tag: Rajnath Singh

  • Power games: Amid growing Chinese threat, Rajnath gives emergency buying powers to defence forces

    Express News Service

    Border TensionDefence minister Rajnath Singh gives emergency powers to forces for overseas purchase

    In light of the situation on the border, especially on the north and north-eastern fronts, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given financial powers to the three services to buy weapons from overseas using the emergency acquisition route. Under this emergency power, Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force would be allowed to buy any weapon or ammunition valued up to Rs 300 crore from any overseas manufacturer to meet the shortfall of critical operational requirements. For purchases under the emergency route, the three services will not have to seek approval from the ministry. The deliveries of these purchases, however, will have to be made within one year.

    The three services have been given this emergency power for the next six months. This decision was taken at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which the minister chaired in New Delhi on August 22. The three services chiefs who are part of the DAC, the ministry of defence’s apex procurement body, had emphasised on early acquisition of critical ammunition. Sources said that the three armed forces have also been allowed to approach the defence ministry for seeking approval for emergency procurement of new weapons under $300 million to meet the critical shortfalls.

    The armed forces will use the emergency powers to make fast-track purchases of GPS-guided Excalibur shells for ultra-light Howitzer guns, Derby-I and MICA air-to-air missiles, Spice-1000 and Hammer precision-guided munitions, Barak and Spyder air defence missiles, Spike anti-tank guided missiles, Heron MKII drones, land mines, and small arms ammunition, etc. It is expected that the three armed forces will get new weapons and ammunition worth $750 million through fast-track purchases. The Indian Army is likely to buy ammunition for T-90 tanks, BMP-II, AD guns, artillery guns, small arms, rockets, missiles and mortars, while the Indian Air Force is expected to buy air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, smart bombs, chaffs, flares and precision-guided munitions. Besides, the Indian Navy wants to procure 10 Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS) from Israel through a fast track procurement route.

    Team ModiThe rise and rise of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

    BJP leaders can underestimate the importance of the party’s parliamentary party meetings at their own peril. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has resulted in making and unmaking of many careers. The Prime Minister’s usually longish address at these meetings have largely centred around highlighting his government’s achievements and exhorting party MPs to inform people of their constituencies about these achievements. In one of these meetings, Ballia MP Bharat Singh annoyed the Prime Minister by saying how could they publicise the achievements because ministers did not have time to meet MPs and inform them about these achievements and the bureaucrats do not meet them either. Singh was denied a ticket in the next election.

    In another meeting, the Prime Minister was pleasantly surprised by an MP’s power-point presentation to his fellow members on the reach and benefits of the Modi government’s schemes. This MP’s career has skyrocketed after that day. He was made a minister of state the same year, and elevated as the Cabinet minister after 2019 elections. The name of this MP is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He has risen in the party ranks so fast that the joke in the BJP is that the top two’s trusted troika of J P Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupendra Yadav has now turned into a four-horse carriage with Shekhawat joining the ranks. The 1967-born Shekhawat started his political career by winning the student union election of Jodhpur’s Jainarayan Vyas University as ABVP’s presidential candidate.

    He has gone on from there to win two Lok Sabha elections, defeating Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s son in 2019 by a margin of over two lakh votes. He is now the Prime Minister’s pointman for executing critical projects. He has been made in charge of elections in Punjab and Haryana. He was appointed as convenor of the 14-member committee for coordinating with state units and allies for the election of Droupadi Murmu as President of India. Sources say he will play a crucial role in the upcoming elections in Rajasthan. 

    Shahid FaridiThe writer is Associate Editor and Chief of Bureau at TNIE, New Delhi. Email: [email protected]

    Border Tension
    Defence minister Rajnath Singh gives emergency powers to forces for overseas purchase

    In light of the situation on the border, especially on the north and north-eastern fronts, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given financial powers to the three services to buy weapons from overseas using the emergency acquisition route. Under this emergency power, Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force would be allowed to buy any weapon or ammunition valued up to Rs 300 crore from any overseas manufacturer to meet the shortfall of critical operational requirements. For purchases under the emergency route, the three services will not have to seek approval from the ministry. The deliveries of these purchases, however, will have to be made within one year.

    The three services have been given this emergency power for the next six months. This decision was taken at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which the minister chaired in New Delhi on August 22. The three services chiefs who are part of the DAC, the ministry of defence’s apex procurement body, had emphasised on early acquisition of critical ammunition. Sources said that the three armed forces have also been allowed to approach the defence ministry for seeking approval for emergency procurement of new weapons under $300 million to meet the critical shortfalls.

    The armed forces will use the emergency powers to make fast-track purchases of GPS-guided Excalibur shells for ultra-light Howitzer guns, Derby-I and MICA air-to-air missiles, Spice-1000 and Hammer precision-guided munitions, Barak and Spyder air defence missiles, Spike anti-tank guided missiles, Heron MKII drones, land mines, and small arms ammunition, etc. It is expected that the three armed forces will get new weapons and ammunition worth $750 million through fast-track purchases. The Indian Army is likely to buy ammunition for T-90 tanks, BMP-II, AD guns, artillery guns, small arms, rockets, missiles and mortars, while the Indian Air Force is expected to buy air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, smart bombs, chaffs, flares and precision-guided munitions. Besides, the Indian Navy wants to procure 10 Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS) from Israel through a fast track procurement route.

    Team Modi
    The rise and rise of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

    BJP leaders can underestimate the importance of the party’s parliamentary party meetings at their own peril. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has resulted in making and unmaking of many careers. The Prime Minister’s usually longish address at these meetings have largely centred around highlighting his government’s achievements and exhorting party MPs to inform people of their constituencies about these achievements. In one of these meetings, Ballia MP Bharat Singh annoyed the Prime Minister by saying how could they publicise the achievements because ministers did not have time to meet MPs and inform them about these achievements and the bureaucrats do not meet them either. Singh was denied a ticket in the next election.

    In another meeting, the Prime Minister was pleasantly surprised by an MP’s power-point presentation to his fellow members on the reach and benefits of the Modi government’s schemes. This MP’s career has skyrocketed after that day. He was made a minister of state the same year, and elevated as the Cabinet minister after 2019 elections. The name of this MP is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He has risen in the party ranks so fast that the joke in the BJP is that the top two’s trusted troika of J P Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupendra Yadav has now turned into a four-horse carriage with Shekhawat joining the ranks. The 1967-born Shekhawat started his political career by winning the student union election of Jodhpur’s Jainarayan Vyas University as ABVP’s presidential candidate.

    He has gone on from there to win two Lok Sabha elections, defeating Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s son in 2019 by a margin of over two lakh votes. He is now the Prime Minister’s pointman for executing critical projects. He has been made in charge of elections in Punjab and Haryana. He was appointed as convenor of the 14-member committee for coordinating with state units and allies for the election of Droupadi Murmu as President of India. Sources say he will play a crucial role in the upcoming elections in Rajasthan. 

    Shahid Faridi
    The writer is Associate Editor and Chief of Bureau at TNIE, New Delhi. 
    Email: [email protected]

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to begin 5-day visit to Mongolia, Japan on Monday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a five-day visit to Mongolia and Japan beginning on Monday with an aim to expand India’s defence and security ties with the two countries.

    In Japan, Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will join their Japanese counterparts under the framework of ‘2+2’ foreign and defence ministerial dialogue, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

    Singh will visit Mongolia from September 5 to 7 while his tour of Japan will be from September 8-9.

    It is learnt that the ‘2+2’ dialogue is planned for September 8.

    The dialogue is taking place over five months after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India for the annual India-Japan summit.

    At the summit in New Delhi, Kishida announced an investment target of five trillion Yen (Rs 3,20,000 crore) in India over the next five years.

    In the 2+2 dialogue, the two sides are expected to deliberate on ways to further expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence and security besides taking stock of the developments in the Indo-Pacific, the people cited above said.

    The Japanese delegation will be headed at the talks by Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada.

    The dialogue is scheduled around three weeks ahead of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state funeral on September 27 in Tokyo.

    The ‘2+2’ dialogue with Japan was initiated in 2019 to deepen bilateral security and defence cooperation further and bring greater depth to the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries.

    India has the ‘2+2’ ministerial format of dialogue with very few countries including the US, Japan, Australia and Russia.

    India’s defence and security ties with Mongolia are also on an upswing.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Mongolia in May 2015, bringing a renewed vigour to the ties in diverse areas including defence and security.

    During the visit, India announced a USD 1 billion line of credit to Mongolia for infrastructure development and upgraded their ties to the strategic partnership.

    Joint India-Mongolia military exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ is held annually.

    The last two editions of the exercise were held at Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) in September 2018 and in October 2019 in Himachal Pradesh.

    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a five-day visit to Mongolia and Japan beginning on Monday with an aim to expand India’s defence and security ties with the two countries.

    In Japan, Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will join their Japanese counterparts under the framework of ‘2+2’ foreign and defence ministerial dialogue, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

    Singh will visit Mongolia from September 5 to 7 while his tour of Japan will be from September 8-9.

    It is learnt that the ‘2+2’ dialogue is planned for September 8.

    The dialogue is taking place over five months after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India for the annual India-Japan summit.

    At the summit in New Delhi, Kishida announced an investment target of five trillion Yen (Rs 3,20,000 crore) in India over the next five years.

    In the 2+2 dialogue, the two sides are expected to deliberate on ways to further expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence and security besides taking stock of the developments in the Indo-Pacific, the people cited above said.

    The Japanese delegation will be headed at the talks by Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada.

    The dialogue is scheduled around three weeks ahead of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state funeral on September 27 in Tokyo.

    The ‘2+2’ dialogue with Japan was initiated in 2019 to deepen bilateral security and defence cooperation further and bring greater depth to the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries.

    India has the ‘2+2’ ministerial format of dialogue with very few countries including the US, Japan, Australia and Russia.

    India’s defence and security ties with Mongolia are also on an upswing.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Mongolia in May 2015, bringing a renewed vigour to the ties in diverse areas including defence and security.

    During the visit, India announced a USD 1 billion line of credit to Mongolia for infrastructure development and upgraded their ties to the strategic partnership.

    Joint India-Mongolia military exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ is held annually.

    The last two editions of the exercise were held at Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) in September 2018 and in October 2019 in Himachal Pradesh.

  • Defence Minister familiarises with IAF’s ambitious integrated command and control system

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday visited a premier radar station of the Indian Air Force (IAF) where he witnessed the functioning of the Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS).

    The IAF in a statement said, “The system (IACCS) is the backbone of IAF’s march towards network centricity and is a key enabler in operations. The system’s capabilities endow its users with an enhanced situational awareness that reduces IAF’s sensor-to-shooter loop. The robust system has redundancies built into its functioning which enable seamless operations between its assets across the country.”

    During his visit, the Defence Minister was demonstrated various networked operations conducted at varied locations across the country.

    “These included the networked and synergised operations of fighter, transport and Remotely Piloted aircraft.” the IAF said.

    The IACCS is aimed at integrating the ground and air sensors of the IAF in order to get a composite picture of the air domain.

    It also has the ability to pass command from an IACCS node in the north to a fighter operating in the southern part of India, according to a source.

    This is the need of the hour as with time the forces have acquired the ability to attack beyond visual range.

    “Now not only the Vital Areas and Vital Points are required to be secured but the entire area, area defence, and for this we need a seamless picture of the air assets. The IACCS gives us complete information of the enemy and friendly assets in the air which is also known as Recognised Air Picture (RAP),” he said.

    He was also briefed about the nuances of peacetime Command and Control functions which include ensuring the air defence of critical areas on a day-to-day basis, as well as during large events.

    In his address, the Defence Minister complimented the air warriors for keeping the nations’ skies safe throughout the year.

    The long-term aim is to integrate all such air and ground sensors of the Armed forces and the Civil and country’s air space will be divided into Nodes and sun nodes, the source said.

    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday visited a premier radar station of the Indian Air Force (IAF) where he witnessed the functioning of the Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS).

    The IAF in a statement said, “The system (IACCS) is the backbone of IAF’s march towards network centricity and is a key enabler in operations. The system’s capabilities endow its users with an enhanced situational awareness that reduces IAF’s sensor-to-shooter loop. The robust system has redundancies built into its functioning which enable seamless operations between its assets across the country.”

    During his visit, the Defence Minister was demonstrated various networked operations conducted at varied locations across the country.

    “These included the networked and synergised operations of fighter, transport and Remotely Piloted aircraft.” the IAF said.

    The IACCS is aimed at integrating the ground and air sensors of the IAF in order to get a composite picture of the air domain.

    It also has the ability to pass command from an IACCS node in the north to a fighter operating in the southern part of India, according to a source.

    This is the need of the hour as with time the forces have acquired the ability to attack beyond visual range.

    “Now not only the Vital Areas and Vital Points are required to be secured but the entire area, area defence, and for this we need a seamless picture of the air assets. The IACCS gives us complete information of the enemy and friendly assets in the air which is also known as Recognised Air Picture (RAP),” he said.

    He was also briefed about the nuances of peacetime Command and Control functions which include ensuring the air defence of critical areas on a day-to-day basis, as well as during large events.

    In his address, the Defence Minister complimented the air warriors for keeping the nations’ skies safe throughout the year.

    The long-term aim is to integrate all such air and ground sensors of the Armed forces and the Civil and country’s air space will be divided into Nodes and sun nodes, the source said.

  • Infirmities within the multilateral system of the UN might lead to its loss of relevance: Rajnath Singh

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Stressing on the comprehensive reform of United Nations’ structure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday pointed to “the infirmities within the multilateral system” of the United Nations and said it might lead to its loss of relevance.

    The United Nations has given us a platform for global progress in a number of areas, but clearly there is a crisis of confidence today in the UN system, said Rajnath Singh addressing the plenary session of Moscow Conference on International Security-2022 virtually.

    “While the UN has addressed most of these issues somewhat partially and intermittently, our collective effort has nonetheless fallen short in providing effective and enduring solutions, particularly due to the infirmities within the multilateral system” Rajnath added.

    Talking about democratization of the UN he said that its relevance will be lost without it. It can deliver effective solutions only if it gives a voice to the entire world rather than zealously guarding the status quo.

    “This worrying shortcoming of the UN system is manifestation of its structural inadequacy.  Without comprehensive reforms of UN structure and without democratisation in decision-making, the UN might progressively lose its effectiveness and relevance.” Rajnath Singh said.

    India has been a pioneer in UN Peacekeeping since its inception, having deployed more than a quarter million troops, in as many as 49 UN Peacekeeping Missions. Even at present more than 5,500 personnel are deployed across 9 missions.

    He said, major powers’ refusal to change United Nations institutions in tune with time, ignores the emerging geo-political realities, economic and technological progress that has happened since 1945.

    Rajnath Singh stressed that the Council must be made more representative of developing countries “if it is to continue to engender trust and confidence in its ability to provide leadership to the entire world”.

    On the Indo-Pacific region, the Defence Minister said, as a nation central to the Indian Ocean, India is committed to a free, open, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Country’s “focus on regional maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean bears testimony to the value that India places on multilateralism.” he said. 

    NEW DELHI: Stressing on the comprehensive reform of United Nations’ structure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday pointed to “the infirmities within the multilateral system” of the United Nations and said it might lead to its loss of relevance.

    The United Nations has given us a platform for global progress in a number of areas, but clearly there is a crisis of confidence today in the UN system, said Rajnath Singh addressing the plenary session of Moscow Conference on International Security-2022 virtually.

    “While the UN has addressed most of these issues somewhat partially and intermittently, our collective effort has nonetheless fallen short in providing effective and enduring solutions, particularly due to the infirmities within the multilateral system” Rajnath added.

    Talking about democratization of the UN he said that its relevance will be lost without it. It can deliver effective solutions only if it gives a voice to the entire world rather than zealously guarding the status quo.

    “This worrying shortcoming of the UN system is manifestation of its structural inadequacy.  Without comprehensive reforms of UN structure and without democratisation in decision-making, the UN might progressively lose its effectiveness and relevance.” Rajnath Singh said.

    India has been a pioneer in UN Peacekeeping since its inception, having deployed more than a quarter million troops, in as many as 49 UN Peacekeeping Missions. Even at present more than 5,500 personnel are deployed across 9 missions.

    He said, major powers’ refusal to change United Nations institutions in tune with time, ignores the emerging geo-political realities, economic and technological progress that has happened since 1945.

    Rajnath Singh stressed that the Council must be made more representative of developing countries “if it is to continue to engender trust and confidence in its ability to provide leadership to the entire world”.

    On the Indo-Pacific region, the Defence Minister said, as a nation central to the Indian Ocean, India is committed to a free, open, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Country’s “focus on regional maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean bears testimony to the value that India places on multilateralism.” he said. 

  • India to set up joint theatre commands of tri-services: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced the setting up of joint theatre commands of the tri-services to enhance coordination among the armed forces.

    The defence minister also said India is moving quickly from being the world’s largest importer of defence equipment to an exporter.

    He was speaking during a programme organised by the Jammu Kashmir People’s Forum here to pay tributes to the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces.

    “Keeping in view (joint operations as seen in Operation Vijay in Kargil), we have decided to set up joint theatre commands (in the country),” Singh said.

    Paying tributes to the Kargil martyrs, the defence minister said the country cannot forget their supreme sacrifice to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

    “It is the duty of the society and the people to give their utmost respect to the martyrs and their families,” he said. “Whatever support you can offer, do to for their families. It is the responsibility of each citizen,” he added.

    Referring to the defence production, Singh said, “India was the world’s largest importer (of defence products). Today, India is not the world’s largest importer but is among the top 25 nations engaged in defence exports,” he pointed out.

    Singh said the country has started defence exports worth Rs 13,000 crore and it has fixed a target to increase it to Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore by 2025-26. RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale also addressed the gathering at Gulshan Ground near Jammu University.

    Singh is scheduled to hold a special meeting with a select gathering of the BJP leaders at the party office in Trikuta Nagar to take stock of the party’s preparations for the assembly elections. He will also be briefed about the security situation and political developments. This is Singh’s second visit to Jammu in a little over a month. He visited the region on June 17 on the occasion of the 200th year of coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh.

    JAMMU: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced the setting up of joint theatre commands of the tri-services to enhance coordination among the armed forces.

    The defence minister also said India is moving quickly from being the world’s largest importer of defence equipment to an exporter.

    He was speaking during a programme organised by the Jammu Kashmir People’s Forum here to pay tributes to the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces.

    “Keeping in view (joint operations as seen in Operation Vijay in Kargil), we have decided to set up joint theatre commands (in the country),” Singh said.

    Paying tributes to the Kargil martyrs, the defence minister said the country cannot forget their supreme sacrifice to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

    “It is the duty of the society and the people to give their utmost respect to the martyrs and their families,” he said. “Whatever support you can offer, do to for their families. It is the responsibility of each citizen,” he added.

    Referring to the defence production, Singh said, “India was the world’s largest importer (of defence products). Today, India is not the world’s largest importer but is among the top 25 nations engaged in defence exports,” he pointed out.

    Singh said the country has started defence exports worth Rs 13,000 crore and it has fixed a target to increase it to Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore by 2025-26. RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale also addressed the gathering at Gulshan Ground near Jammu University.

    Singh is scheduled to hold a special meeting with a select gathering of the BJP leaders at the party office in Trikuta Nagar to take stock of the party’s preparations for the assembly elections. He will also be briefed about the security situation and political developments. This is Singh’s second visit to Jammu in a little over a month. He visited the region on June 17 on the occasion of the 200th year of coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh.

  • Defence minister Rajnath Singh briefs MPs on ‘Agnipath’ scheme, some seek rollback

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave a presentation to the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Defence members on the “Agnipath” scheme for military recruitment on Monday, with some opposition MPs demanding its immediate withdrawal.

    After the nearly-two-hour meeting addressed by the defence minister and the three chiefs of the armed forces, opposition MPs, including those from the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), raised objections to the new recruitment scheme and said it should be rolled back.

    Sources said Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil cited the criticism of the scheme by experts and decorated soldiers and said it should be withdrawn as it would affect the morale of the forces and create confusion.

    He said the scheme should first be launched as a pilot project and those trained be recruited in the armed forces. It should only be introduced after working out various modalities, Gohil added.

    The Congress leader was supported by NCP MP Supriya Sule and TMC MP Saugata Roy.

    They also gave a written document to the defence minister, seeking the withdrawal of the scheme, but Congress MP Manish Tewari did not sign it.

    Tewari has publicly lauded the Agnipath scheme, saying it is a much-needed reform as the armed forces of various other countries have introduced such a scheme.

    The presentation was aimed at addressing the concerns of the opposition leaders ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, starting July 18.

    After briefing the MPs in the committee, the defence minister, the three service chiefs and the defence secretary answered several queries raised by them.

    After the unveiling of the scheme on June 14, violent protests against it were reported from several states for nearly a week and various opposition parties had demanded its rollback.

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently said it has received around 7.5 lakh applications under the scheme. The registration process began on June 24.

  • Presidential polls: Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha reaches out to PM Narendra Modi for support

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition candidate for the presidential election Yashwant Sinha reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, seeking their support for the July 18 polls.

    Sinha also dialled Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and reminded him of the commitment that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had made when he was named as the combined opposition candidate for the presidential polls. “We have begun our campaign in earnest and will reach out to everyone to seek their support in the election,” sources in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said.

    They said Sinha made calls to the offices of Modi and Singh and left a message seeking support for his candidature. The former Union minister also reached out to his mentor and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani.

    Sinha is scheduled to file his nomination papers on Monday afternoon in the presence of top opposition leaders.

    The JMM and the Janata Dal (Secular), led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, are being seen as supportive of the NDA’s presidential candidate, Droupadi Murmu, who filed her nomination papers on Friday.

    Sinha, who was expected to launch his campaign for the presidential election from his home state Jharkhand on Friday, was forced to delay it when it emerged that Soren is leaning in favour of Murmu, a fellow Santhal community member.

    Meanwhile, Sinha wrote a letter to all the opposition leaders who have chosen him as their common candidate for the July 18 polls. “I assure you — and the people of India — that, if elected, I shall conscientiously uphold, without fear or favour, the basic values and guiding ideals of the Indian Constitution,” Sinha said.

    He said he plans to launch his campaign after filing his nomination papers on Monday by visiting as many state capitals as possible. “I hope to meet you as well as the MPs and MLAs belonging to your party to seek your support and guidance,” Sinha wrote in the letter.

  • Rajnath to hold bilateral talks withAustralian counterpart to strengthen defence cooperation

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles here on Wednesday.

    The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday said, “During the bilateral talks, the two Ministers will review the defence cooperation between the two countries and explore new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral engagements. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.”

    “Both the countries are comprehensive strategic partners and I am committed to strengthening Australia’s defence and security cooperation with India,” Marles said in a statement released by the Australian Embassy in India.

    Deputy PM Marles reached Goa on June 20, 2022 on the first leg of his four-day visit to India.

    He visited Goa Shipyard Limited on Tuesday and will be visiting INS Hansa later in the day during his stay in Goa.

    India and Australia share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership from June 2020 and defence is a key pillar of this partnership. The partnership is based on a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The two democracies have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region.

    During the visit, Marles will also meet External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and engage with national security and defence policymakers and personnel.

  • IAF releases details of recruitment plan under Agnipath Scheme

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday released details on the recruitment plan under the Centre’s new Agnipath Scheme including eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualifications, period of service, career options for Agniveers after completion of service, training, and more.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 14 unveiled a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.

    Agniveers once enrolled into the Indian Air Force, will be governed under the Air Force Act 1950, for a period of four years. Endeavour will be made to enrol candidates as Agniveers from all parts of the nation, utilising contemporary technology, specialised rallies and campus interviews at recognised technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes, NSQF etc, said the statement issued by the IAF.

    It further stated that Agniveers would form a distinct rank in the IAF, different from any other existing rank. For personnel below the age of 18 years, the enrolment form will need to be signed by the parents or guardians, in accordance with extant provisions.

    ALSO READ | Secunderabad station Agnipath protests: Terrified, passengers left their luggage and fled

    As per the statement, “After four years, all Agniveers will go back to the society. However, based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the IAF, Agniveers who have exited will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the IAF in the regular cadre, according to Air Force.”

    It further informed that these applications will be considered by a centralised board in a transparent manner and not more than 25 per cent of the strength of the specific batch of original Agniveers will be enrolled in the IAF based on performance during their four-year engagement period as Agniveers.

    Under this scheme, the eligible age will be in a range from 17.5 years to 21 years. Other educational qualifications and physical standards would be issued by the Indian Air Force.

    Agniveers will have to meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the IAF as applicable to respective categories or trades. No permanent low medical category Agniveer will be eligible for continuation of his engagement after being placed on medical category.

    On being enrolled, individuals will be imparted military training based on organisational requirements. IAF will endeavour to maintain a centralised high-quality online database of ‘Agniveers’ and will follow a transparent common assessment methodology.

    ALSO READ | Anti-Agnipath protests continue in Bihar; railway station, police jeep torched, cops injured

    An objective assessment system to ensure fair and impartial assessment will be introduced. Skills attained by Agniveers will be systematically recorded.

    Broad guidelines will be framed before the appointment of the first batch of Agniveers and the same along with any subsequent changes would be circulated.

    The candidates enrolled under this scheme will be paid an Agniveer package of Rs 30,000 per month with a fixed yearly increment. In addition, risk and hardship, dress and travel allowances will be paid.

    A non-lapsable dedicated ‘Agniveer Corpus Fund’ will be created in the interest-bearing section of the Public Account head. The fund will be administered and maintained under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence. Each Agniveer is to contribute 30 per cent of his monthly income to the ‘Agniveer Corpus Fund’. The Government will provide an interest rate equivalent to the Public Provident Fund on the amount accumulated in the fund.

    In case of death, insurance cover and compensation will be admissible to Next of Kin (NOK) from the Agniveer Corpus Fund.

    On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be eligible to receive the ‘Seva Nidhi’ package, which shall comprise their contribution (into the Agniveer Corpus Fund) and a matching contribution from the Government and interest on the accumulated amount.

    In the case of individuals who are subsequently selected for enrolment into the IAF as regular cadre, the ‘Seva Nidhi’ package to be paid to them will comprise only of their contribution including accrued interest thereon. The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from income tax.

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    In case of Agniveers exiting before the end of their engagement period at their own request, the ‘Seva Nidhi’ package to be paid to them will comprise only their contribution including accrued interest thereon.

    The first-year salary package of Rs 4.76 lakh with upgradation of up to Rs 6.92 lakh in the fourth year. There’s also a non-contributory insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh. Provided the individuals receive an Agniveer skill certificate which will assist in post-release job opportunities.

    The ‘Agniveers’, as the recruits are named, will be eligible for 30 days of annual leave per year and sick leave as per medical advice. They may be absorbed into the formal service at the end of the four-year period at the discretion of the government, as per the statement.

    However, release at own request prior to completion of the engagement period will not be permissible for Agniveers except in exceptional cases, with approval of the Competent Authority.

    Agniveers will not be required to contribute to any Provident Fund of the Government. There shall be no entitlement to gratuity and any kind of pensionary benefits in the case of Agniveers.

    At the end of the engagement period, a detailed Skill-set certificate will be provided to the Agniveers, highlighting the skills and level of competency acquired by them duringtheir engagement period. The scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.

  • Agnipath: AAP MP writes to Defence Minister, seeks immediate rollback of scheme

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Saturday urged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to “immediately” roll back the Agnipath scheme and resume the regular process of recruitment for defence services for the current year, saying the new recruitment plan has “justifiably” caused “great anguish” among the potential recruits across the country.

    In a letter to the Defence Minister, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader listed a host of deficiencies in the Agnipath scheme and said it negates “regimental honour” and “erodes the quality of our troops”.

    “Unity and coordination amongst troops is what drives our armed forces towards excellence, and with a shorter duration spent with their peers, we are sacrificing the spirit of the forces,” he said.

    It is the ethos of the regiment that keep jawans united and determined, he said, adding, “Any recruitment scheme must respect the regimental honour and ethos built into the system which has been bringing laurels to the country.

    ” Chadha said the Union government, while formulating the Agnipath scheme, “failed” to comprehend that a jawan supports not only himself but his family as well.

    “Only individuals with courage and peace of mind can serve the armed forces. A jawan that is busy contemplating career moves or wondering how his family will survive after his tenure of four years is over, will find it harder to serve our country,” he said.

    An “ill-motivated soldier” is certainly an avoidable proposition, he added.

    The AAP MP said the new recruitment scheme has “overlooked” the issues of inadequate skilling.

    “The Agnipath scheme allows for Agniveers to undergo a crash course in training of six months. An abnormally short period of training will have adverse consequences on the quality of service discharged,” he contended.

    He said the scheme allows for greenhorns to face the nation’s greatest security challenges.

    “Resultantly, we will be saddled without sufficient leadership and experience amongst the troops,” he added.

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    Chadha said the Union government’s financial obligations towards the defence pension bill should not be offset by sacrificing the job security of the jawans.

    “We cannot shy away from our collective responsibility to give those who protect our borders a life of dignity. It is the least we can do for our jawans. This cannot be our solution to budgetary woes,” he said, adding, “Lives cannot be put at stake to balance the budget.”

    Noting that the scheme has been brought in without first implementing it as a pilot, the AAP MP said such “experiments” should not be imposed “en masse”.

    “Pilot schemes, preferably outside of the armed forces, would have provided an opportunity to deliberate before deciding,” he argued.

    A consultative exercise could have followed thereafter to avoid “national embarrassment” and despair amongst the youth, he added.

    AAP MP said the Union government should start with “an immediate” rollback, and a resumption of the regular recruitment process for the current year, taking note of the points that he has raised.

    “With all humility at my command, I implore you to roll back the Agnipath scheme, to stop this ‘trial by fire’ of the youth of the country,” Chadha said in his letter to the Defence Minister.

    The rollback of the scheme should give the Union government “sufficient time” to rethink and consult the aspirants “who are affected the most by this sudden decision”, he said.

    “We are experiencing a great deficit in new recruits, and shortcuts that put our jawans at risk cannot be the solution. We cannot make the opportunity to serve the country in the armed forces a secondary option for anyone,” the AAP leader added.