
32-hr debate on Operation Sindoor kicks off from Monday
Briefing the media, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the decision to start a special discussion on the 'Terrorist attack in Pahalgam and in response to that Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces' was agreed to at a meeting of leaders of different parties chaired by Speaker Om Birla.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to speak in the Lok Sabha amid indications that Prime Minister Modi may use the much-anticipated debate to turn up the heat on the Opposition, which looks to corner the government over alleged intelligence failures and US President Donald Trump's claims of mediating a 'ceasefire' between India and Pakistan.

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Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- Indian Express
RPAs for 3 services to mountain radars: DAC clears procurements worth Rs 67,000 cr
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday approved a range of military procurement proposals for the armed forces worth nearly Rs 67,000 crore. These include the procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three services, a compact autonomous surface craft for the Navy, maintenance support for the C-17 and C-130J fleets of the Indian Air Force (IAF), and a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for the S-400 long range air defence missile system. The DAC's approval for the maintenance of both American and Russian platforms with the IAF can be considered a display of strategic autonomy by India, especially at a time when the US President Donald Trump has been criticising India over its crude oil imports from Russia, a move New Delhi termed 'unjustified and unreasonable targeting' of the country. The IAF has a fleet of 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules Aircraft, procured from the US in 2010-11, followed by additional orders in the subsequent years. The IAF operates a fleet of 11 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft procured between 2013 and 2019. Both were procured by India from the US under separate Foreign Military Sale (FMS) agreements. India had signed the S-400 deal with Russia in 2018, a year after the US passed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The long range surface to air missile system played a critical role in defending Indian skies during Operation Sindoor between May 7 and 10. These procurements are particularly significant in the light of Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India on May 7 after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, and appear to be drawn from lessons learnt from it. According to a statement issued by the Defence Ministry, the DAC has granted an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sights for the Battle Mechanised Platforms with the Army, which will enhance the night driving capability of BMPs and provide higher mobility and operational advantage to the mechanised infantry. The DAC is the primary body responsible for approving major capital acquisitions in defence. The first step in the defence procurement process is the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). However, obtaining an AoN does not always lead to a final order. The DAC also approved the procurement of the compact autonomous surface craft, the BrahMos fire control system and launchers, and the upgrade of the BARAK-1 point defence missile system for the Navy. 'The procurement of the compact autonomous surface craft will enable the Indian Navy to detect, classify and neutralise threats during anti-submarine warfare missions,' the statement said. For the Indian Air Force, an AoN was granted for the procurement of mountain radars and the upgrade of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER weapon system, which will enhance air surveillance capabilities along and across borders in mountainous regions. The upgrade of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER system for integration with the Integrated Air Command and Control System will strengthen India's air defence capabilities. Additionally, the procurement of MALE RPAs for three services will support round-the-clock surveillance and combat readiness, as these aircraft can carry multiple payloads and weapons while operating at longer ranges for extended missions.


Deccan Herald
42 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Sports Bill 2025: Amendments aim to keep BCCI out of RTI ambit
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had on July 23 introduced the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha, which provides for establishing National Sports Governing Bodies, a National Sports Board, National Sports Election Panel and National Sports Tribunal for the development and promotion of sports.


Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt evading questions on citizenship IDs: TMC MP
Kolkata: Trinamool MP Mala Roy on Tuesday accused Centre of hiding behind laws to avoid answering a specific question she had posed in Lok Sabha on identity proofs considered valid citizenship documents in India. To Roy's question on ID proofs, junior home minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar replied on Tuesday: "The Citizenship Act, 1955, as amended in 2004, provides central govt to compulsorily register every citizen of India and issue a national identity card to them. The procedure for the same has been laid down in the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Card) Rules, 2003." Roy said: "I am not at all satisfied with the response from the Union minister. It seems to me that the central govt tried to evade the question. This govt cannot provide a clear answer to any of our questions, and this instance was no exception." The South Kolkata MP added, "Providing a clear answer on citizenship in Parliament could create issues for the SIR. Therefore, the Modi govt still does not have a satisfactory answer regarding proof of citizenship. " You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata