Category: Politics

In a swift move to attract aerospace investments, Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh has invited the aerospace industry to consider Andhra Pradesh as a viable alternative after the Karnataka government withdrew its controversial land acquisition plan for an aerospace park near Bengaluru. Lokesh took to social media platform X to extend the offer, highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s attractive aerospace policy, which includes “best-in-class incentives” and “over 8,000 acres of ready-to-use land.” Emphasising the strategic advantage of location, he noted that the available land is just outside Bengaluru, making it a convenient option for industries looking for proximity to India’s tech capital. The pitch came shortly after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the cancellation of the acquisition of 1,777 acres of fertile farmland in Devanahalli taluk, near the Kempegowda International Airport. The move came in response to persistent protests by local farmers who opposed the acquisition due to the land’s agricultural significance and its centrality to their livelihoods. “In keeping with our commitment to protect farmers’ interests and safeguard fertile agricultural land, the Government of Karnataka has decided to completely withdraw the land acquisition process,” Siddaramaiah posted on X. He explained that the decision followed extensive stakeholder consultations and a reassessment of the impact on the local farming community. Siddaramaiah assured that the government would now proceed only with willing sellers and offer enhanced compensation, including higher-than-guideline land rates and larger developed plots. Farmers who choose to retain their land for agriculture can do so without any restriction. The Karnataka government’s move underscores its focus on inclusive development, while Andhra Pradesh is seizing the moment to attract industries looking to relocate.

In a significant pre-election move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that all households in the state will receive 125 units of electricity free of cost every month, starting August 1. The scheme is set to benefit 1.67 crore families, with the subsidy applicable from the July billing cycle. Kumar, eyeing a record 10th term, also unveiled a green energy push, promising solar power plants on rooftops or public land over the next three years, with a target of generating 10,000 megawatts of solar energy. Under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana, poor households will get solar systems free of cost, while others will receive government support. Last week, he also announced a 35% reservation for women in all state government jobs, applicable to permanent residents. The decision aims to bolster his appeal among women voters, who are expected to be a decisive force in the November Assembly elections. Additionally, Kumar pledged one crore jobs for youth and the establishment of a skills university named after former CM Karpoori Thakur within five years.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to introduce legislation in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. In their letter, the Congress leaders said that downgrading a full-fledged state to a Union Territory — as was done with Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 — is without precedent in independent India. They reminded the Prime Minister of his repeated commitments to restore the region’s statehood, including assurances made in Parliament and public forums. “The Prime Minister has, on multiple occasions, personally reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring statehood,” the letter read, citing at least two public statements made by PM Modi last year. The Congress leaders said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have, for the last five years, consistently demanded the return of full statehood, a demand rooted in democratic and constitutional rights. They also pointed out that, while India has granted statehood to Union Territories in the past, never before has a state been reduced to a Union Territory. The letter further reminded the Prime Minister that the Union Government, during hearings in the Article 370 case, had assured the Supreme Court of its intention to restore statehood “at the earliest.” In response to the Congress appeal, Jammu and Kashmir’s former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. “We are only demanding what was promised to us in Parliament, the Supreme Court, and in public speeches,” he said, urging the Centre to act swiftly on the matter. The Congress also highlighted the need for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh and called on the government to extend protections under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the region, ensuring preservation of its culture and autonomy. The joint letter is being interpreted as a signal that the INDIA bloc — the opposition alliance — may raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood in a major way during the upcoming session of Parliament. Congress leaders concluded their appeal by urging the Modi government to “bring forward legislation in the upcoming Monsoon Session to grant full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.” Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood and special constitutional status on August 5, 2019, after the Centre abrogated Article 370 and reorganized the region into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday revealed key details about the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Addressing a workshop in Delhi, he stated that many of the drones deployed by Pakistan during the hostilities were either ineffective or non-functional—some even recovered in nearly intact condition. Chauhan said that Pakistan launched a barrage of unarmed drones and loitering munitions towards Indian border states in retaliation for Operation Sindoor, which India had launched in response to the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam. Despite the scale of Pakistan’s drone assault, none of the aerial threats caused any damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure. “Most were neutralised through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic means,” he noted, suggesting that India’s drone countermeasures and preparedness were highly effective. General Chauhan used the occasion to strongly advocate for indigenous weapons and self-reliance in defence technology. He credited India’s homegrown systems for their decisive role in the operation. “Operation Sindoor has shown us why indigenously developed counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) are vital. We must invent and build for our specific needs and terrain,” he said. The CDS also highlighted that drone warfare is rapidly reshaping global military tactics. “Recent conflicts have shown us how drones can shift the tactical balance disproportionately. We must be ready with tomorrow’s technology today,” he stressed, warning that outdated systems are no longer viable in modern warfare. Chauhan warned against overdependence on foreign technology, citing vulnerabilities such as production delays, shortage of spares, and compromised operational secrecy. “When we design, make, and innovate at home, we not only secure our capabilities but also surprise our enemies,” he said. He specifically cited the indigenous Akashteer missile system as a standout performer in the recent operation. Developed under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), the Akashteer and its advanced variant Akash NG successfully intercepted multiple drone swarms and missile threats during the operation. With the ability to reach speeds of Mach 2.5 and engage targets from 30 metres up to 20 km in altitude, the system proved crucial in defending Indian airspace. Concluding his remarks, Chauhan noted that asymmetric drone warfare is changing the face of modern combat and compelling militaries worldwide to rethink air defence doctrines. “We must be agile, innovative, and self-reliant to maintain the strategic edge,” he affirmed.