The Government Should Take Steps To Increase Defense Exports

The government should take steps to increase defense exports: The parliamentary committee.

A Parliamentary committee has asked the government to make efforts to ensure that a maximum number of indigenously manufactured military equipment is exported.

The committee commended the government for signing the deal with the Philippines for the supply of BrahMos missiles.

In January, India had won a $375 million (approximately Rs 2,800 crore) deal to supply three batteries of the BrahMos missile system to the Philippines.

The 29th report of the Standing Committee on Defense tabled in Parliament on Wednesday expressed happiness over the completion of the first phase of the Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) ballistic missile defense system.

The Committee said that efforts should be made to increase the export potential of the platforms developed by DRDO to tap the huge global market.

Ministries should be vigilant in the implementation of offset requirements.

The committee has asked the Defense Ministry to be extremely vigilant and transparent in meeting the offset requirements in defense deals.

According to the committee’s report, a total of 57 defense offset contracts have been signed to date and the total obligations under them are estimated to be around USD 13.52 billion (approximately Rs 1 lakh crore) which will be “discharged over the period 2008-2033”.

The government should take steps to increase defense exports: Necessary funds should be provided to the armed forces.

The committee has also said that in view of the prevailing tense situation with some neighboring countries, adequate budgetary allocation to the armed forces should be ensured.

Referring to the difference in the financial demand and budgetary allocation of the three armed forces, the committee said that the Defense Ministry should not make any cuts in the budget of the armed forces in the coming years.

Jamia Millia professor arrested for taking bribe, two more arrested for taking bribe of one lakh.

The CBI has arrested Khalid Moin, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia, for accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. Officials gave this information on Wednesday.

The professor is accused of issuing structural stability certificates for various projects by taking bribes.

Moin had allegedly given a structural safety certificate to Chintel Paradiso Apartments in Gurugram, a part of which collapsed last month, killing two women.

However, his arrest has nothing to do with the house collapse case.