The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the leadership of the Defence Minister, has given acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the procurement of the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD). The infrared (IR) homing missile system is being designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
In addition to the VSHORAD, DAC has approved the procurement of HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers, and support equipment for the Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), intended for the Army. For the Navy, the acquisition of the Brahmos Launcher & Fire Control System and Next Generation Missile Vessels has been ratified. These procurements are part of the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category, the highest priority procurement under DAP-2020.
These strides in defence advancement respond to escalating tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Union Carbide Corporation Unwilling to Pay More for Bhopal Gas Tragedy
The Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) has expressed unwillingness to pay an amount exceeding what was agreed upon with the Central Government in 1989. This comes after the Central Government demanded additional funds of over ₹7,400 crore from UCC following the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
On December 3, 1989, a leak of the highly dangerous and toxic gas methyl isocyanate (MIC) occurred from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) in Bhopal. The catastrophe resulted in the death of 5,295 people and injuries to approximately 5,68,292 individuals. Additionally, there were significant losses of livestock and property.
US Government Funding Restoration Project for Paigah Tombs
The US Government will grant financial support of USD 250,000, supplied by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, for the conservation and restoration of six of the Paigah tombs. These tombs, located in Hyderabad, were constructed between the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture will oversee the project execution. The Paigah tombs, or Maqbara Shams al-Umara, are a necropolis associated with the nobility of the Paigah family who served the Nizam of Hyderabad.
These tombs, featuring lime, mortar, and marble styles, showcase some of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, combining Asaf Jahi and Rajputana influences.
Air Quality Analysis Indicates High PM2.5 Levels in Delhi
As per an air quality data analysis by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Delhi topped the list of most polluted cities in 2022. According to CPCB data, the annual average PM2.5 concentration was 99.7 ug/m3, which is substantially higher than the standard limit of 40 ug/m3.
Most cities on the top 10 list of most polluted cities are from the Indo-Gangetic Plain, in terms of both PM2.5 and PM10 levels. For the cleanest city in India in 2022, Srinagar and Kohima shared the position.
The current annual average safe limits for PM2.5 and PM10 in India are 40 ug/m3 and 60 ug/m3 respectively. The NCAP initially set a goal of reducing key air pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 by 20-30% by 2024 and 40% by 2026, using 2017 as the base year.
Last Modified: February 19, 2024