Monthly Archives: August 2018

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa will fly in the Yakovlev YAK-130 Mitten Advanced Jet Trainer during his July 9-12 visit to Russia. The Air Chief Marshal, who is also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee by virtue of being the senior-most chief of staff among the three heads of Indian armed forces, is undertaking a bilateral goodwill visit to Russia for four days.

According to the IAF, ACM Dhanoa will meet senior officers of the Russian Armed Forces and his visit will provide one more opportunity to the two countries to strengthen their bilateral and defence relations. ACM Dhanoa’s sortie in the YAK-13, which can also be used as a light-attack aircraft, assumes great significance as IAF is short of advanced jet trainers to adequately hone the skills of its fighter pilots.

Russian Air Force pilots receive their training on the YAK-130 and according to its officials, the aircraft can replicate characteristics of even highly advanced 4++ generation fighters and even the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 which is currently under development and testing.

According to JSC Rosoboronexport, Russia’s only state agency for defence-related products, the YAK-130 can perform flight and operational training as well as undertake combat missions. “The aircraft is used to develop and improve pilot skills needed to fly, navigate and employ current and advanced combat aircraft. The YK-130 can be effective as a light attack aircraft in engaging air and ground (surface) targets,” the product catalogue on Rosoboronexport website states.

Equipped with a modern flight-control-navigation, communications, cockpit instrumentation and other equipment, including a quad-redundant fly-by-wire flight control system, the YAK-130 has high training effectiveness. The aircraft is also capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, guided air bombs, unguided rockets and bombs, external fuel tanks, gun and EW pods. It has nine hardpoints and can carry missiles and bombs weighing 3,000 kg.

Capable of flying at a maximum speed of 1060 kmph, the YAK-130 has a service ceiling of 12,500 metres. It can attack at flight angles of 35 degrees and has a maximum operating range of 1,600 km which can go up to 2,100 km with external fuel tanks. The aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight is 10,290 kg and it is powered by a single Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25 engine. The plane is 11.49 m long, 4.76 m high with a wingspan of 9.84 m. Its manoeuvrable load factor is +8/-3 g.

The IAF currently uses several trainer aircraft like Pilatus PC-7 MkII and Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer but is desperately in need of more jets. Between 2014-15 and July 3, 2019-20, the IAF has lost 26 fighters, six helicopters, nine trainers and four transport aircraft to air crashes. The force also lost 46 air warriors including 12 pilots during the same period.

Union Budget 2020 – No change in Income Tax Slab

“Those having annual income upto Rs. 5 lakh are not required to pay any income tax”

Tax rates for individuals having taxable income from Rs. 2 cr – 5 cr and Rs. 5 cr & above to be increased by around 3 % and 7 % respectively

Direct Tax revenue increases by over 78 % in FY2018-19 from FY 2013-14; rose to Rs. 11.37 lakh crore from Rs. 6.38 lakh crore Relief proposed in Levy of Securities Transaction Tax (STT) Additional deduction of up to Rs.1.5 lakh for interest paid on loans for purchase of affordable house Additional Income Tax deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakh on interest paid on loans taken to purchase Electric Vehicles

The effective tax rates for the higher income group individuals having taxable income from Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 5 crore and Rs. 5 crore and above is proposed to be increased by around 3 percent and 7 percent respectively. Presenting the General Budget 2019-20 in the Parliament today, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said, “In view of rising income levels, those in the highest income bracket need to contribute more to the Nation’s development”. Thanking the taxpayers, she said that they are playing a major role in Nation building.

Referring to several measures taken in the past to alleviate the tax burden on small and medium income earners, the Minister said, “Those having annual income upto Rs. 5 lakh are not required to pay any income tax”. This includes self-employed as well as small traders, salary earners, and senior citizens, she added.

Tax Revenue Up

Due to slew of efforts taken by the Government, the direct tax revenue has significantly increased by over 78 percent from Rs. 6.38 lakh crore in Financial Year 2013-14 to around Rs. 11.37 lakh crore in Financial Year 2018-19. The Minister stated that the increase has been significant in last couple of years. The Direct Tax revenue grew by 19.13 percent to Rs. 10, 02, 741 crore in 2017-18 (Rs. 8, 41, 713 crore in 2016-17) and by 13.46 percent in 2018-19. The number of taxpayers also increased by approximately 48 percent over the period 2013-14 to 2017-18, from 5.71 crore taxpayers to 8.4 crore taxpayers, due to various initiatives and taxpayer outreach programmes undertaken by the Government.

Relief in Levy of Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

In her speech, the Finance Minister proposed to give relief in levy of Securities Transaction Tax by restricting it only to the difference between settlement and strike price in case of exercise of options.

Additional Deduction of Interest for Affordable Housing

In order to provide a further impetus to affordable housing, the Minister proposed to allow an additional deduction of up to Rs.1,50,000/- for interest paid on loans borrowed up to 31st March, 2020 for purchase of an affordable house valued up to Rs. 45 lakh. Therefore, a person purchasing an affordable house will now get an enhanced interest deduction up to Rs. 3.5 lakh. This will translate into a benefit of around Rs.7 lakh to the middle class home-buyers over their loan period of 15 years.

For realisation of the goal of ‘Housing for All’ and affordable housing, a tax holiday has already been provided on the profits earned by developers of affordable housing. Also, interest paid on housing loans is allowed as a deduction to the extent of Rs. 2 lakh in respect of self-occupied property.

Promoting Electric Vehicles

To make Electric Vehicles affordable to consumers, the Minister said that the Government will provide additional income tax deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakh on the interest paid on loans taken to purchase electric vehicles. This amounts to a benefit of around Rs. 2.5 lakh over the loan period to the taxpayers who take loans to purchase electric vehicle. Considering India’s large consumer base, the she stated, “We aim to leapfrog and envision India as a global hub of manufacturing of Electric Vehicles. Inclusion of Solar storage batteries and charging infrastructure in the above scheme will boost our efforts”. The Government has already moved GST council to lower the GST rate on electric vehicles from 12% to 5%, she added.

Level Playing Field for Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)

Recognising the increasingly important role of NBFCs in India’s financial system and to provide level playing field, the Finance Minister has proposed to tax the interest on bad or doubtful debts in the year in which it is actually received. Presently this is allowed for scheduled banks, public financial institutions, state financial corporations, state industrial investment corporations, cooperative banks and certain public companies like housing finance companies.

Measures to promote the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)

To promote IFSC in GIFT City, the Finance Minister proposed to further provide several direct tax incentives to an IFSC including 100 percent profit-linked deduction under section 80-LA in any ten-year block within a fifteen-year period, exemption from dividend distribution tax from current and accumulated income to companies and mutual funds, exemptions on capital gain to Category-III AIF and interest payment on loan taken from non-residents.

Compulsory Filing of Return

The General Budget 2019-20 proposes to make return filing compulsory for persons, who have deposited more than Rs. 1 crore in a current account in a year, or who have expended more than Rs. 2 lakh on foreign travel or more than Rs. 1 lakh on electricity consumption in a year or who fulfils the prescribed conditions, in order to ensure that persons who enter into high value transactions also furnish return of income. It is also proposes to provide that a person whose income becomes lower than maximum amount not chargeable to tax due to claim of rollover benefit of capital gains shall also be required to furnish the return.

Source: PIB

Brig Narender Kumar, SM, VSM (Retd) writes, creation of multiple terror organisations in Kashmir is part of a strategy that ISI has followed to ensure control over the situation in Kashmir. In addition it also acts as a check on those organisations that may turn rogue. The question remains how can Indian establishment exploit the current fissures among the terror organisations and Hurriya

In the last week of June 2019 there was an inter group clash between terrorists of Hizbul Mujahedeen (HM) and Islamic State of Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK) in which one terrorist belonging to ISJK was killed. Though the reason given for this clash was a dispute among the terrorists over a weapon that was supposed to be returned to HM. The terrorist Adil Ahmed Dass who was killed in the shootout had switched over from HM to ISJK headed by Zakir Musa and did not return the weapon at the time of joining new outfit. There is another narrative that Adil had gone to return the weapon and was shot dead by the HM cadres.

Though it may appear a simple case of return of weapon and switching of loyalties to join Ansar Ghazawatul Hind but in reality Zakir Musa had revolted against the ISI backed groups. Zakir Musa had openly criticised ISI and Hurriyat for exploiting Kashmiri youths as pawn for their self-serving motives. Zakir Musa’s aid Abu Dujana had gone on record to state that terrorists coming from Pakistan are indeed soldiers of Pak Army without uniform and are in Kashmir to grab their land. It is now emerging that there were under currents and ISI, LeT, JeM and HM were weary of the rise of ISJK in Kashmir. It is indeed clash of ideology and ISJK/ Ansar Ghazawatul Hind may meet the same fate as of Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) because JKLF did not support the idea of merger of Kashmir with Pakistan.

ISJK is a small group of terrorists now left with 3 to 4 terrorists. They have identified ISI, LeT and HM as apostate and working against the larger interest of establishment of Islamic State in Kashmir. ISI backed HM led by Riyaz Naiku is seen as the biggest culprit for spying and leaking information about ISJK terrorists and it is a matter of time that ISJK group may be completely eliminated by ISI backed terror organisations.

It is rare to hear from Kashmiris that interests of Pakistan in Kashmir is to grab the land and not the genuine concern for the Kashmiri Awam. This sentiment needs to be given impetus to expose ISI backed terrorists and their real motive to keep Kashmir in an unstable state. Intelligence agencies and security forces should not get excited with this development since there are not many takers in Kashmir for ISJK ideology. Creation of multiple terror organisations in Kashmir is part of a strategy that ISI has followed to ensure control over the situation in Kashmir. In addition it also acts as a check on those organisations that may turn rogue. ISJK had turned rogue and the end of this organisation is already scripted by ISI.  The real threat to Kashmir continues to remain ISI and home grown terrorists as part of ISI backed terror organisations. The question remains how can Indian establishment exploit the current fissures among the terror organisations and Hurriyat?

New Delhi, July 5

Petrol price are to be hiked by over Rs 2.50 per litre and diesel by more than Rs 2.30 from midnight after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday raised taxes to part-fund her Budget for 2019-20.

Sitharaman raised excise duty and road and infrastructure cess on the auto fuels by Rs 2 per litre each to raise over Rs 28,000 crore.

After considering local sales tax or value added tax (VAT), which is charged after adding central excise duty on base price, the increase in petrol price would be over Rs 2.50 per litre and that on diesel would be Rs 2.30.

The Finance Minister also levied Re 1 per tonne customs or import duty on crude oil. India imports more than 220 million tonnes of crude oil; and the new duty will give the government Rs 22 crore additionally. At present, there is no customs duty on crude oil. Only a Rs 50 per tonne national calamity contingent duty (NCCD) is charged. — PTI

After Uri: The Surgical Strike’s phenomenal success, Vicky Kaushal has once again taken up the role of a military officer in Meghna Gulzar’s next venture. The film is based on the extraordinary life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Recently, the first look of the film hit the world of social media and people were stunned to see the uncanny resemblance between Vicky’s look and that of Sam Manekshaw.

The actor shared the photo and wrote, “The swashbuckling general & the first Field Marshal of India- SAM MANEKSHAW. I feel honoured & proud of getting a chance to unfold his journey on-screen. Remembering him on his death anniversary & embracing the new beginnings with @meghnagulzar and @RonnieScrewvala.”

However, Syed Ata Hasnain, Lt Gen (Retd), Indian Army wasn’t swayed by Vicky’s terrific look and quickly pointed the major difference between the real-life Sam Manekshaw’s uniform and the reel-life uniform. He took to Twitter and wrote, “Would love it if consulted. Lt Gen Deepinder Singh, his MA, is there to give everything on him. Vicky Kaushal, for starters is wearing wrong colour badges of rank. Sam was a Gurkha, never wore brass, always black badges. I am proud to wear that too being a Garhwali Bhulla.”

Here’s what people had to say about Syed Ata Hasnain’s statement:

The Garuda-VI joint exercise between Indian Air Force and French Air will see the most potent fighter aircrafts of the two countries going head-to-head to validate the latest defence strategies and fine-tune their waging capabilities

The Indian Air Force and Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) are going to be participating in a bilateral air exercise Garuda VI at Mont de Marsan in France. The exercise, scheduled to take place from July to July 12, 2019, exercise will see the most potent fighter aircraft of the two countries going head-to-head to validate the latest defence strategies and fine-tune their waging capabilities and is expected to showcase fighter jets like Rafale, Mirage 2000, Sukhoi 30 from the two sides.

While the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent comprises of 120 air-warriors and four Sukhoi 30 MKI along with an IL-78 flight refuelling aircraft, French Air Force units will comprise the likes of Rafale, Alpha Jet, Mirage 2000, C135, E3F, C130, and Casa.

Now, IAF’s official Twitter handle has shared a video showing the preparations for the exercise and showing behind the scenes action. The tweet says, “the flying Operations will commence from 01 July 2019. Team IAF is all set & geared up for undertaking operations from AF Base Mont-De-Marsan, France.Happy Landings to IAF & FAF Garuda contingent.”

Previously, IAF had announced – “#Garuda-VI: Indian Air Force will be participating in its biggest joint air exercise of 2019, with the French Air Force (FAF) in France from 01-14 July 19. The IAF contingent will set course for the exercise tomorrow.”

 

Indian Air Force

✔@IAF_MCC

#ExGaruda2019 : #IAF will be participating in its biggest joint air exercise of 2019, with the French Air Force (FAF) at France from 01-14 July 19.
The Garuda contingent will depart ex-India on 25 Jun 19.@SpokespersonMoD

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10:34 AM – Jun 25, 2019

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The IAF’s frontline fighter Sukhoi Su-30 MKI will take on the Rafale multirole jets of the French Air Force. The exercise will also give a chance to the Air Force to assess the capabilities of their aircraft against the Rafale jets which will join the Indian forces in the next few months.

Reports suggest that the Indian Air Force will deploy 10 Su-30 MKIs, Ilyushin IL-76 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) plane and Il-78 aerial refuelling tanker during the two-week-long Garuda VI exercise. The exercise will take place in the presence of over 150 IAF officers and airmen.

Exactly 36 of the Rafale jets similar to the ones that will be used during Garuda, have been purchased by India and will arrive in 2019. The 36 aircraft will be a part of two IAF Squadron, the first of which is the Golden Arrows ’17 Squadron.

The first Rafale will be handed to the Indian Air Force in September 2019 after an intensive 1500 hours of testing to validate the India Specific Enhancements on it. Hence, the first batch will be ready to be inducted at Ambala around May 2020.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29

India and Myanmar today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence co-operation.

This was preceded by talks between the two sides. The talks were aimed at enhancing defence cooperation, reviewing joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services, strengthening maritime security by joint surveillance and capacity building, medical co-operation, pollution response and for developing new infrastructure.

Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik held talks with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (CDS) Myanmar.

The visiting military commander is on an eight-day visit to India (July 25-August 2). Earlier, he paid homage at the National War Memorial.

Myanmar is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy towards prioritising relations with its East Asian neighbours. India has steadily increased defence cooperation with Myanmar in recent years.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 28

In a serious professional lapse, the Director-General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor, on Sunday tweeted a doctored video of Air Marshal Denzil Keelor (retd) and termed it as an ‘admission of Indian failure and losses on February 27, 2019’.

Hours later, on being called out over Twitter that the video was not post-Balakot (February 26, 2019) but a programme made in 2015 about India’s wars in the 1960s, Major General Ghafoor accepted his error saying “the clip of Air Marshal is revealed to be doctored….Unintentional omission is acknowledged, especially to Indians”.

Air Marshal Keelor is an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot, who was awarded Vir Chakra for his role in 1965 Indo-Pak War.

In the video, originally shot in 2015, the IAF ace is speaking about the 1962 war with China and the 1965 war with Pakistan. Air Marshal Keelor is heard saying: “Some of the things that happen are losses, for instance. During war, you win and you lose. Some of the losses were not right. They were due to tactical errors, due to inexperience and you can’t go to war with this type of inexperience.”

The video ends with him saying: “Firstly, it should have been made public. Because it gave a detailed account of the political failures, military leadership failures, tactical failures, strategic failures…which led to this debacle. We all know it. I don’t see any reason why people should be ashamed to show it.”

Major General Ghafoor used this video and claimed that the IAF veteran was admitting to failure of Balakot strikes on February 27.

The original video was posted on YouTube in August, 2015, three years before the Balakot airstrike, by a channel called Wild Films India. In the video titled ‘Nehru lost India the war’, the Air Marshal speaks about India’s battle losses.

In this, he said of the 1965 war that Pakistan had a radar system, interception system with ability to detect, identify, intercept and destroy, we did not have it”.

Major General Ghafoor in his first tweet assumed that Air Marshal Keelor was talking of the present scenario. The IAF veteran, now 85-year-old, lives a retired life in Lucknow and has not reacted so far.

Civilians and army veterans paying tributes to the war heroes at Kargil Park in Mandi on Friday.