Bengaluru: The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft – “Tejas” – will participate in the three-day Bahrain International Air Show starting Thursday. This is the first time the LCA, which is in the process of becoming a part of the IAF, will fly in a foreign air show. “Two Limited Series Production (LSP) aircraft will take part in the Bahrain International Air Show for flying display through a series of aerobatic manoeuvres such as vertical loop, slow fly past and barrel roll”, a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) release said. Tejas is a single engine, light weight, agile, multi-role supersonic fighter. It has the fly-by-wire, state-of-the-art open architecture computer for avionics and weapon and combat capability. With the advanced avionics, the pilot load is also reduced. — TNSK’taka revokes luxury tax on ICU bedsBengaluru: After public outcry, the Karnataka Government on Wednesday revoked eight per cent luxury tax imposed on each bed in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of hospitals. “We have exempted beds in hospital ICUs from the eight per cent luxury tax. The government had issued a directive in this regard to all hospitals in the city. This directive stands cancelled,” said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The decision comes after the medical fraternity raised a hue and cry arguing that the tax would add to the burden on patients. The Commercial Tax Commissioner had six months ago issued the order bringing ICU beds under the luxury tax net, but it was put into effect a few days ago, triggering protests. — PTIRoadside dhabas at Kaziranga to goNew Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has ordered demolition of roadside shops and eateries along the animal corridors near Assam’s Kaziranga National Park in the wake of increasing wildlife casualties due to vehicular traffic on the National Highway-37 which passes through it. A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to take clear instruction on the issue and file an affidavit within 10 days. “We make it clear that all the shops and dhabas run within 100 metres from the end of the road of National Highway or located in the forest/protected area, or bridges constructed or within 500 metres of the National Kaziranga Park, would be liable to be demolished,” the Bench said. — PTIUnmanned Chinese copter completes South Pole flightBeijing: An unmanned Chinese helicopter has completed its maiden flight from the Great Wall Station in the South Pole photographing fauna and flora in the area. “Polar Hawk-2” developed by the Beijing Normal University can operate for about one hour at a time at an altitude of up to 1,500 meters. The lithium-battery powered aircraft is highly efficient, quiet and has low emissions, said Cheng Xiao, head of the research team. During the hour’s flight on Monday, the helicopter took over 350 high-quality photos. Since the station is located in the Fildes Peninsula, which is known for its changeable weather, there is a lack of clear satellite photos of the station, while pictures taken by the helicopter clearly show the station, said Cheng. China currently has four Antarctic research stations — Taishan, Great Wall, Zhongshan and Kunlun. — PTI