Tuesday, December 30, 2025

First test flight lands at Sindhudurg airport in Maharashtra

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Tehelka Web Desk
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A test flight from Mumbai to Sindhudurg landed on Wednesday at Parule Chipi Greenfield airport in Sindhudurg district of the Konkan region of Maharashtra.

With this successful test flight, access to the Konkan coast of Maharashtra will become easier and some of Maharashtra’s top tourist attractions will become accessible to visitors from all over India.

The airport is located between Malvan and Vengurla, the Tarkarli beach and Sindhudurg fort are 20 kms away. The commissioning of this airport also improves accessibility to North Goa. The beaches of Tiracol, Arambol and Mandrem are equidistant from Goa’s Dabolim airport.

The 2,500 meters runway will be able to handle aircrafts like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. The terminal building has the capacity to handle 400 passengers at its peak.

Commercial flights will become operational from December this year.

Civil Aviation Minister, Suresh Prabhu, has asked the airport management company and Maharashtra State Government to resolve the pending issues related to ILS installation and VOR installation so that regular operations may begin on schedule.

The co-pilot of the flight was a local girl from Devgad in Sindhudurg district.

Health Ministry bans 328 fixed-dose combination drugs, including Saridon

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Tehelka Web Desk
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Representational Image

The Union Health Ministry on September 13 banned the manufacture, sale or distribution of 328 fixed-dose combination or FDC drugs, including Saridon on the grounds that the ingredients in these medicines do not add to benefits that people can get from taking them and they may pose health risks.

The ban on the said medicines came in wake of a report issued by top drug advisory body, the Drug Technical Advisory Board, claiming intake of 328 FDCs would be a health risk.

“The Drugs Technical Advisory Body recommended, amongst other things, that there is no therapeutic justification for the ingredients contained in 328 FDCs and that these FDCs may involve risk to human beings. The board recommended that it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of these FDCs under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 in the larger public interest,” government said.

While lauding government’s move Dr KK Agarwal, former president of Indian Medical Association said, “The Delhi High Court stayed this (FDCs ban) on technical grounds, but it is a good move for public health. Individual drugs are approved by the centre, but some manufacturers make combinations of two drugs and get state licences.”

Reportedly around 6,000 brands are likely to be affected. This includes painkiller Saridon, skin cream Panderm, combination diabetes drug Gluconorm PG, antibiotic Lupidiclox and antibacterial Taxim AZ.

According to reports these drugs are expected to have a combined market size of between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 2,500 crore.

Search operation continues for second day to nab suspected militants on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

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Tehelka Web Desk
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A massive cordon and search operation by Indian Army is continued in Jammu’s Jhajjar Kotli district on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for the second day to nab terrorists. Terrorists were traveling in the area in a truck on September 12 and even opened fired at a forest guard and fled the spot.

No one was injured in the firing. The suspected militants opened fire on security personnel after they intercepted a truck that sped past a check post, a police spokesman said.

“One AK 47 and three magazines were recovered. The truck driver and conductor have been taken into custody and are being questioned,” the police spokesman added.

Police spokesman further said that two o three suspected militants who fled from the truck and slipped into nearby woods are being chased.

Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Army jointly carried out the search operation in Jhajjar and its adjoining villages.

In wake of the incident a family has claimed that the terrorists, who were hiding in the area, had come to their home at around 9:00 pm on September 12 and asked for food, water and clothes. The family also said that the terrorists had asked them the way to Kashmir and offered money and even threatened to kill them.

Following the incident, an alert has been sounded at Vaishno Devi shrine and Katra. Schools in nearby areas have been closed.

Sushma Swaraj embarks on two-day visit to Russia

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Tehelka Web Desk
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External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Thursday left for a two-day visit to Moscow, Russia.

During her visit, Swaraj will attend the 23rd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Technical and Economic Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).

It will be co-chaired by Sushma Swaraj and Yuri Borisov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

IRIGC-TEC is a standing body which annually meets and reviews ongoing activities of bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology, bilateral trade and investment,culture and other issues of mutual interest.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar tweeted, “Taking stock of a time-tested, special and privileged strategic partnership! EAM @SushmaSwaraj departs on a two-day visit to Moscow, Russia on 13-14 September to hold the 23rd meeting of the Inter- Governmental”

In December 2017, the last meeting of the Commission was held in New Delhi.

Jammu and Kashmir: Encounter underway between security forces and militants in Sopore

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Tehelka Web Desk
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File Photo

A gunfight erupted on Thursday between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town, police said.

Upon receiving specific information about the presence of militants, the security forces including Army, the state police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), launched the search operation and cordoned off the town’s Arampora area.

“As the cordon was tightened and security forces were closed in on the hiding militants, the latter fired at the security forces triggering the encounter,” the police said.

Internet services have been suspended in Sapore area as a precautionary measure.

More details are awaited.

Made comprehensive settlement offer to Karnataka High Court: Vijay Mallya

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Tehelka Web Desk
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Former Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, on Wednesday said that he had made a “comprehensive settlement” offer before the Karnataka High Court that will help in paying off all his dues.

The remarks by Mallya came as he arrived at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where the judge today set December 10 as the date for the verdict on his extradition from United Kingdom. 

Speaking to reporters, the 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airline boss said that he is ready to submit the settlement plan before the court, hoping that it will consider its merit.

“I have a comprehensive settlement plan and I am ready to pay all my dues and I guess that is the primary objective,” said Mallya, who is fighting extradition case of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crores.

Moreover, Mallya claimed that he met Finance Minister to “settle matters” before he fled to the United Kingdom.

On December 4, the extradition trial, which opened at the London court last year, is aimed at laying out a prima facie case of fraud against Mallya.

Vijay Mallya, an alleged financial offender, is facing charges of bank fraud and money laundering in India, amounting to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore.

He has been in the UK since March 2016 and was arrested by the Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant in April this year.

Cabinet approves PM-AASHA to assure remunerative crop prices to farmers

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Tehelka Web Desk
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Cabinet meeting, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 12 announced a Rs 15,053-crore procurement policy named ‘Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan’ or PM-AASHA,  allowing the states to choose a compensation scheme and rope in private traders or agencies for procurement to ensure remunerative prices to farmers.

The PM-AASHA is an umbrella scheme which is comprised of three sub-schemes that includes Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme or Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, and piloted Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme.

Government statement reads that the Centre has made a provision of Rs 16,550 crore as a bank guarantee for its agencies to directly procure from farmers under PSS, while the budgetary allocation for PM-AASHA has been raised to Rs 15,053 crore.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh while addressing media said, “The PM-AASHA is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce as announced in the Union Budget 2018. This is a historic decision.”

He further said that the Cabinet also decided to give an additional government guarantee of Rs 16,550 crore for procurement, taking the total to Rs 45,550 crore. 

Cabinet approves MoU with South Africa on cooperation in exploration, uses of outer space

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Tehelka Web Desk
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The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on September 12 approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and South Africa on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes.

Government statement revealed that the MoU was signed in Johannesburg on 26 July 2018.

The areas of cooperation under this MoU include:                    

Remote sensing of the earth;

Space science and planetary exploration;

Use of spacecraft, launch vehicles, space systems, and ground systems;

Satellite communication and satellite-based navigation;

Practical applications of space technology including geospatial tools and techniques; and

Other areas of cooperation to be determined by the Parties.

The cooperation under the MoU will be carried out in the form of planning and implementation of joint space projects of mutual benefit and interest; establishment, operation and maintenance of ground stations for supporting space activities; sharing of satellite data, results of experiments, and scientific and technological information; joint research and developmental activities; exchange of technical and scientific personnel designated to participate in the cooperative programs; Capacity building in space science and technology, and space application programs for societal purposes and organization of joint symposia, conferences and scientific meetings.

The major benefit of signing the MoU is to increase the cooperation in potential areas such as space science, technology and applications, including remote sensing of the earth, satellite communication and satellite-based navigation; space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground systems; and application of space technology.

Hardik Patel ends ‘fast unto death’ after 19 days

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Tehelka Web Desk
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Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Wednesday, ended his ‘fast unto death’ after persuasion by leaders of two Patidar socio-religious bodies — Khodaldham and Umiyadham. 

Patel had been on fast for the past 19 days demanding loan waiver for farmers and reservation for Patidar community.

However, none of the demands for which he was fasting were accepted by the Gujarat government.

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti’s convener (PAAS) Manoj Panara said, “Hardik was determined to continue his fast. But, we requested him to break the fast and fight against this government. Hardik accepted our request and decided to break his fast through the hands of leaders of Khodaldham and Umiyadham at 3 pm.”

On August 25, Hardik Patel began his fast unto death at his residence near Vaishnodevi Circle in Ahmedabad. Initially, he announced two of his demands, which were reservation for Patidar community and loan waiver for farmers. After a few days, he also added demand to release PAAS convener Alpesh Kathiriya, who is in jail since August 19 in connection with a sedition case registered against him by the Gujarat government.

As per the reports, Hardik Patel and his associates are soon to hit the streets again.

Court grants bail to former Air force Chief SP Tyagi, others in AgustaWestland case

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Tehelka Web Desk
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A Delhi court on Wednesday granted bail to former Air force Chief SP Tyagi and others in a money laundering case related to the Rs 3600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

Special judge Arvind Kumar granted bail to Tyagi and others, involved in the case and asked them to furnish a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh with one surety of the like amount.

The bail was granted after they appeared before the court in pursuance to the summons issued against them.

On July 24, the court had summoned former AgustaWestland and Finmeccanica directors Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini, Tyagi and others as accused in the case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a supplementary charge sheet in the chopper scam against 34 individuals, including Tyagi, his two cousins, lawyer Gautam Khaitan and Italians Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschke.

The court had passed directions after taking cognizance of the charge sheet, which mentions money laundering to the tune of around 28 million euros.

The ED, in its charge sheet, has alleged that money was laundered through manifold foreign companies which were used as fronts to park alleged kickbacks.

India had cancelled a contract on 1st January 2014 with Finmeccanica’s British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF, over the alleged breach of contractual obligations and on charges of kickbacks of Rs 423 crore paid by it to secure the deal.

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