Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is under criticism for delays in Tejas fighter jet production and safety checks of Dhruv helicopters. A parliamentary panel condemned HAL's inefficiencies, which hinder military demands. IAF chief A P Singh also expressed a lack of confidence in HAL, highlighting the need to induct 40 fighters annually to maintain combat readiness.
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The VVER-1000 reactor vessel for the sixth unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu is being transported from Russia to India. The vessel, weighing 320 tonnes, was manufactured at the Atommash plant and will undertake an 11,000-km journey. Four new power units are currently under construction at Kudankulam, with six reactors planned in collaboration with Russia's Rosatom and India's NPCIL.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed happiness over the BJP's likely win in the Delhi assembly elections, emphasizing that the Modi-led government will transform the city in alignment with Viksit Bharat 2047 goals. Sitharaman stressed the need for a government focused on human development and infrastructure in the capital.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said the duo will work together like a brother and sister to carry forward unfinished work of the late Sahib Singh Verma, former chief minister and Parvesh Verma's father.
The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved a Rs 7,000 crore deal to procure 307 advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) and 327 gun-towing vehicles for the Army. Developed by DRDO, the ATAGS have a strike range of 45-48 km and will boost homegrown manufacturing capabilities. Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems will produce the guns.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticizes the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming it to be compromised and calling for a comparison experiment between ballot papers and EVMs. ECI chief Rajiv Kumar defends the integrity and security of EVMs, citing Supreme Court mandates and transparent processes.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor emphasizes the urgent need for the inclusion of disabled people in India's socio-political and economic framework. He advocates for comprehensive policy action and substantial budget allocation, stressing that disability rights must be seen as both a social imperative and a constitutional necessity.
Comedian Kunal Kamra apologized to a fan who was summoned by Mumbai Police over Kamra's controversial performance. The fan, who was on vacation, had to return early. Kamra's show included a parody song allegedly targeting Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde, leading to multiple FIRs against him.
US President Donald Trump labeled India a 'very high tariff nation' and announced reciprocal tariffs to start on April 2. He criticized India's tariffs on US goods, calling them unfair, and emphasized the US trade deficit with India. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington for trade talks to address these disparities.
Katra, the base camp for Vaishno Devi temple resumed normalcy after a week-long shutdown. The government released 18 protesters and suspended the ropeway project until concerns are addressed. Pilgrims returned to the town, and traffic movement was restored. The project aimed to help senior citizens, but locals feared losing their livelihoods.
The Centre for Public Interest Litigation argued in SC that the independence of the CAG has diminished because of fewer audits of governments led by the ruling party. Justice Kant disagreed, stating the Constituent Assembly addressed these concerns during its debates.