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The Punjab government will take the help of anti-drone technology to check smuggling of narcotics and arms and ammunition from across the border, Cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Tuesday. Finance Minister Cheema, who is leading a cabinet sub-committee to monitor action against the drug menace and Cabinet minister Aman Arora on Tuesday witnessed the demonstration of the anti-drone technology by three companies in Mohali. Speaking to reporters, Arora said drugs, arms and ammunition are coming from Pakistan as he stressed upon the use of anti-drone technology to check the inflow from across the border. "It is the primary responsibility of the government of India and the BSF to check smuggling of narcotics and arms and ammunition from across the border," Arora said, adding the Border Security Force (BSF) has 50 km of jurisdiction. "But we have been seeing over the past many years that the BSF is not getting 100 per success (in checking smuggling from across the border)," he
The Madhya Pradesh government has formulated a new drone policy to foster manufacturing of drones in the state as well as encourage their use across sectors like agriculture, logistics, security and governance. The state cabinet in its meeting on Tuesday approved the Madhya Pradesh Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy 2025, officials said. The policy focuses on promoting drone manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance. It offers incentives such as subsidies and tax incentives to manufacturers, aiming to make Madhya Pradesh a hub for drone production and services. It provides for a 40 per cent capital investment subsidy with a cap of Rs 30 crore for new investments. Also, a 25 per cent subsidy on lease rent, with a maximum of Rs 5 lakh per year, is provided for three years. A Rs 2 crore R&D grant is provided in identified sectors. To promote skill development in key sectors, Chief Minister's Seekho-Kamao Yojana (MMSKY) offers an incentive of Rs 8,000 per month for up to six ...
Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace would deploy its drones free of cost over the next three months, to take up surveillance along the city's coastline, to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, the company said. The initiative comes in the backdrop of over 300 such turtles were found dead in recent times in Chennai coastal region. The plan aims to support the conservation efforts by combating illegal fishing practices. In a statement on Sunday, Garuda Aerospace said it was partnering with the Tree Foundation and the department of Forest and fisheries for this operation. "We are deeply concerned by the recent mass deaths of Olive Ridley turtles. The plight of the turtles demand immediate action and long-term solutions. By deploying our drones free of charge for the next three months, we are directly intervening to protect the nesting sites, deter illegal fishing and give these hatchlings a chance at survival," said Garuda Aerospace CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash. "We believe t
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Saturday that drones will be used to conduct surveys before releasing the paddy bonus to farmers in the state. The move is an attempt to do away with their difficulties and ensure that no farmer is left out, he said. Problems crop up in the disbursement of paddy bonus. Therefore, the government has decided to conduct drone surveys of paddy cultivation, Yadav said during his address at an event concerning the Swamitva Yojana, a central land scheme, in Seoni. Paddy bonus usually refers to the additional amount paid over and above the minimum support price (MSP) for the crop. We will transfer the bonus amount to everyone's bank account. No one would be left out, he added. Yadav said his government's resolve is to supply "water to every field and work to every hand". Taking a dig at the previous Congress governments in the state, he said during their time between 1956 and 2003, the state's irrigation capacity was just 7 lakh ...
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplace and drones continue to be a challenge for the country and these have to be checked by strict measures. Chairing a regional conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' here, Shah also asserted that the country will not allow even a single kg of drugs to be smuggled in or out of the country. He said the government has not only been successful in eliminating many networks of drugs, but the terrorism linked with them too was also destroyed. He said many cases of narco-terrorism were busted in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and these were major achievements. "The use of dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplace, drones continue to be a challenge for us even today," he said. Shah said a technical solution to these problems have to be found through joint efforts by the states and the central government and technocrats for the country's security and ...
In a first for Maharashtra, drones will be deployed to monitor illegal fishing along its 720-km coastline beginning January 9, a Fisheries Department official said on Wednesday. The drones will provide live footage of up to the 12-mile maritime boundary from nine locations across all seven coastal districts. The official said the streaming data collected by drones will be used to take legal action against unauthorised fishing boats. He said the drone system will be launched by Minister of State for Fisheries and Ports Nitesh Rane. "The minister will oversee the system through a live feed from the Fisheries Commissioner's Office. Streaming data collected by these drones will be used as evidence to take legal action against unauthorised fishing boats," the official said. He said the drone system will bring the entire maritime area of Maharashtra under camera surveillance, helping the government to curb illegal fishing. "It is an important step to protect marine resources and ensure
The government has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the manufacturing of 23-mm anti-drone ammunition by the Indian industry, which is intended to be used with an existing weapon system for boosting the Army's air defence capabilities. This ammunition is intended to be used with the existing "Zu 23mm and Schilka Weapon System" for the destruction of drones. The RFI, issued on January 1, also reads that there is a requirement of 23-mm anti-drone ammunition in order to "increase the hit probability". "The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Request for Information (RFI) from interested companies/firms/vendors for undertaking manufacturing of 23mm Anti Drone Ammunition in lndia," it says. The purpose of this RFI is to identify the prospective vendor (DPSUs/private vendors) to undertake the manufacturing of 23-mm anti-drone ammunition under "Make in India", the document adds. All defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) and private vendors are eligible to respond to t
Russia launched an aerial attack on Ukraine on Tuesday, striking the capital and other regions with multiple missiles and drones. Ukraine's air force reported a ballistic missile threat at 3 am (0100 GMT), with at least two explosions heard in Kyiv minutes later. Another missile alert was issued at 8 am followed by at least one explosion in the city. Missile debris fell in the Darnytskyi district of the capital with no reports of casualties or damage, the local administration said. Authorities in the northeastern Sumy region reported strikes near the city of Shostka, where the mayor, Mykola Noha, said 12 residential buildings had been damaged as well as two educational facilities. He said some social infrastructure objects were destroyed, without providing detail. The air force also reported missiles and drones targeting several other regions of Ukraine. Around half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been destroyed during the war, and rolling electricity blackouts are common an
The upcoming Maha Kumbh will feature unprecedented security measures with the deployment of drones capable of monitoring 100 metres underwater and 120 metres above ground, officials said. More than 45 crore pilgrims are expected to participate in the grand gathering. In a first for Uttar Pradesh, underwater drones will be deployed in the Sangam area while tethered drones will make a debut in the skies during one of the largest religious congregations on the planet between January 13 and February 26, 2025. The anti-drone system, first deployed during the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya this year, will also be deployed during the Maha Kumbh. UP government earlier last week said a detailed security apparatus has been put in place to ensure the safety of every individual during the Sangam Snan (bathing at the confluence). The underwater drones, expected to provide round-the-clock surveillance, can function effectively in low-light conditions. With the ability to op
Russell Hedrick, a North Carolina farmer, flies drones to spray fertilisers on his corn, soybean and wheat fields at a fraction of what it would cost him to use a conventional ground spreader. As a volunteer rescuer, Hedrick uses thermal drones to search for people trapped by mudslides and cargo drones to send water and baby formula to those who are stranded something he did after Hurricane Helene. Now he is fretting that one day he will have to ground his drone fleet. Most commercial drones sold in the United States, including those used by Hedrick, are made in China. They have become a target of US lawmakers, who see the dominance of Chinese drones not only as an espionage threat but as a commercial threat because they make it nearly impossible for American manufacturers to compete. It's another front in the US-China economic and technological competition that's likely to intensify with the return to the White House in January of Republican Donald Trump, who has promised to get .
Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian fuel depot for the second time in just over a week on Sunday, according to a senior Russian regional official, as part of a massive cross-border attack on fuel and energy facilities that Kyiv says supply Moscow's military. The strikes came days after Russia launched sweeping attacks on Ukraine's already battered energy grid, threatening to plunge thousands of homes into darkness as winter tightens its grip over the region, and as Russia's all-out invasion of its neighbour nears the three-year mark. A fire broke out at the Stalnoy Kon oil terminal in Russia's southern Oryol region, local Gov. Andrey Klychkov said in a post on the Telegram messaging app, adding Russian forces downed 20 drones targeting fuel and energy infrastructure in the province. Russian independent news outlet Astra shared video of what it said was an explosion at the site, showing a massive orange blaze lighting up the night sky. While the clip could not be independently ..
Tethered drones have been deployed in the Maha Kumbh area to provide comprehensive aerial surveillance ahead of next year's event, officials said on Tuesday. The high-tech device capable of capturing high-resolution images, videos, and sensor data leaves no corner of Mahakumbh Nagar unmonitored, they said. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh is scheduled to take place in Prayagraj from January 14 to February 26. The state-of-the-art system is a major step towards safeguarding the devotees, officials said, adding that Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Dwivedi has appointed an expert team to oversee its operation. Calling it a unique and advanced security tool, Dwivedi highlighted its ability to switch to alert mode within seconds. "The tethered drone's secure data transmission ensures that it captures every detail, big or small, from above, making it a cornerstone of the hi-tech security measures in place," the officer said, adding that it will act as an "third eye" of t