PUNJAB Police have busted a terror module involving the use of drones to drop arms in the state. The arms were dropped near Khalra village in Tarn Taran district and were ostensibly meant for terrorists in Punjab and also Kashmir that is currently witnessing a lockdown after the abrogation of Article 370. The police suspect it to be the handiwork of the ISI and the probe has been handed over to the NIA. The use of drones is reminiscent of the case in 1995 in which a Latvian aircraft was used to drop arms at Purulia in West Bengal. With a nearly 550-km-long border with Pakistan, Punjab is a target for terror outfits. The state has known peace now, but attempts have been made to test it, like at Dinanagar in 2015 and Pathankot in 2016. Its border with Jammu and Kashmir makes it an option for terror groups to use it as a launch pad.

The border, even in Punjab, is a difficult terrain, especially the riverine area. While the Indian side has lights and Cobra fencing through which electricity currents pass after sunset, no such arrangement is visible on the Pakistan side, dotted with tall elephant grass, a cover used to smuggle in drugs and other contraband. The rivers swollen because of floods make surveillance difficult. At many places, farming is done till the last inch, and checking infiltration can be tough. The seizure was preceded by reports saying that Pakistan had reactivated the Balakot terror facility, the Army Chief confirming it a day later in Chennai, and US President Donald Trump warning of Islamist terror in his meeting with PM Modi in Houston. All this goes on even as India and Pakistan prepare for opening the Kartarpur corridor.

A border state, Punjab has known the pain of Partition and the insurgency. That it lost a CM along with tens of thousands of others is the sacrifice it made to bring back peace without which there can be no progress. The Punjab Police should be complimented for nipping trouble in the bud.

New Delhi, November 15

Eating out, telephony and travel will become expensive from Sunday, with the government imposing 0.5 per cent Swachh Bharat cess on taxable services which is expected to yield about Rs 3,800 crore to the exchequer in the remaining months of the fiscal.
With the imposition of the cess, service tax rate will go up from 14 per cent to 14.5 per cent on all taxable services.
According to Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, the government expects to collect around Rs 10,000 crore from Swachh Barat cess for full year.
So in the remaining months of this fiscal till March 31, 2016, the cess would yield about Rs 3,800 crore to the kitty.
The Swachh Bharat cess would be levied only on the portion of taxable services (after abatement) and will go towards funding of the cleanliness drive, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This means that service tax on restaurant bills will go up from 5.6 per cent to 5.8 per cent following the levy of 0.5 per cent Swachh Bharat cess.
The Finance Ministry has also clarified that the Swachh Bharat cess will not apply on those services for which payments have been received prior to November 15 and invoices raised before November 29.
The decision to impose 0.5 per cent cess will translate into a tax of 50 paise only on every Rs 100 worth of taxable services.
Explaining the provisions for the levy of cess, the Ministry said it would be calculated on the abated value or value arrived as per the Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006.
For restaurants or eating joints having air–conditioning facility, the cess would be 0.5 per cent of 40 per cent of the billed amount, i.e., 0.2 per cent. “The cumulative service tax and Swachh Bharat cess liability would be 5.8 per cent (14.5 per cent of 40 per cent) of the total amount charged,” it said.
Travel in Railways’ upper class categories has also become costlier as a service tax levy of 14 per cent and a Swachh Bharat cess of 0.5 per cent became effective from today.

According to a rail ministry circular, the levies make for a 4.35 per cent hike for travel in First Class and all AC Classes from November 15.

The decision to increase passenger fares is in line with a government notification on November 6 for imposing a Swachh Bharat cess on all taxable services.

“Service tax of 14 per cent and Swachh Bharat cess of 0.5 per cent are chargeable on 30 per cent of total passenger fare equivalent to 4.35 per cent of the total fare on first class and all AC fares,” the circular said.

However, the service tax will not be applicable for tickets issued before November 15. Neither would the levy be applicable for general and sleeper-class travel.

With the hike, AC-I fares on mail and express trains from New Delhi to Mumbai are up by Rs 206 while the rise is of Rs 102 for AC-III fares from New Delhi to Howrah.

On the Delhi-Chennai route, the increased fare works out to about Rs 140 for the AC-II segment.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had in Budget 2015-16 proposed to levy a Swachh Bharat cess of up to 2 per cent “on all or certain services, if need arises”.
“Swachh Bharat cess is not another tax but a step towards involving each and every citizen in making contribution to Swachh Bharat. The proceeds from this cess will be exclusively used for Swachh Bharat initiatives,” the Finance Ministry had said while notifying the Swachh Bharat cess.
The government had in Budget 2015-16 estimated to collect over Rs 2.09 lakh crore from service tax. The Rs 3,800 crore collection from the cess would be over and above that. — PTI

Reminiscing about happy events is most rejuvenating. Memory takes me back to the sweltering summer of August 1994 when Udai Mehta, as Col Administration, and I, as Col General Staff designate, reported to the Corps HQ at Nagrota, of a yet-to-be raised new headquarters. Our temporary HQ, housed in a building, had bare essentials — skeletal staff of clerks, some stationery and limited furniture. The impending task was a cornucopia of challenges. Besides the enormity of administrative work was the added responsibility to find a suitable permanent location for the HQ.

We were to immediately take over the operational responsibility of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Doda district. South of the Pir Panjal, spread over 2,625 sq km, and enclosing the townships of Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar from where the Warwan valley stretches northwards, it ended just below the Amarnath cave. We got the ball rolling; chair-borne functions were carried out by night, and by day, we were road-bound.

Armed with maps and haversack meals, travel along the national highway (NH-44) from Nagrota to Banihal and other laterals became a routine. Location after location didn’t meet the military requirements. However, an interesting highlight is worth mentioning, the Aparna Ashram of late Dhirendra Brahmachari at Mantalai. He had a 101-point plan to create here a yogic centre-cum-holiday resort, with casinos and the works. It provided shelter and comfort, but we were not looking for that. Finally, the Dharmund Ridge, near Batote, caught our attention — a standalone mountain, with flat expanses along the top, and slopes dropping sharply into the swiftly flowing Chenab far below.

It was an ideal location for the HQ tactically, administratively and for command and control purposes. By the time our first General Officer Commanding, Maj Gen Yogi Bahl, arrived, we had a running HQ. We were extremely lucky to have him head our fledging HQ. A sound professional with great human qualities, directions were clear-cut and mission accomplishment was at our initiative. Three months later, our flag fluttered with pride at Dharmund, housed in tents and fully operationally functional.

The severity of the winter of 1994-95 welcomed us, heavy snow added to the difficulties and often  our snow-laden tents collapsed, literally on our heads. To add to it, the villagers started objecting to our presence and nefarious charges followed. Resoluteness, determination and subtle diplomacy with the villagers helped.

Creating a helipad was a major challenge. As starters, we managed a small clearing, but then like the proverbial camel, we expanded. Soon large enough to take four-five helicopters simultaneously and serve the dual purpose of a six-a-side hockey ground for our evening constitutional! We had firmed in.

Operations continued relentlessly through the long winter; summer was very welcome. Building of prefab shelters got underway and the HQ started shaping up: operational room, offices and accommodation for men came at priority, followed by the Flag Staff House (FSH), the Officers’ Mess and accommodation. To preserve some history, the FSH got the acronym ‘YOGSUM LA,’ comprising the first alphabets from the names of the GOC, and his two senior staff members, Sujlana and Mehta, and ‘LA’ meaning ‘beyond limits’. It was a salute to the dedicated team who worked conscientiously to establish the HQ. Interestingly, the bar in the Officers’ Mess found a very appropriate name: “Changa Bar”, named after a long-deserted village of the same name. The first ‘chhota’ there was indeed most ‘changa’!

This year marks the silver jubilee of Delta Force, and it has created a niche for itself in the Indian Army. On September 6, the Delta Force flag will proudly swell in the wind, promising many more years of dedicated service to the nation.

WASHINGTON: Save it for the other Sharif, some reports and experts suggested last month as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif toured the US. Army chief Raheel Sharif, who wields real power in Pakistan, was on his way.
He is indeed but, in a curious twist, the US military, which has been traditionally close to the Pakistani military, has let it be known that Gen Sharif is coming without an invitation.
“COAS Gen Raheel Sharif is travelling to Washington, DC of his own volition and DoD (Department of Defense) officials are meeting (him) at his request,” a US defence official told Hindustan Times on Thursday.
News agency PTI, which first reported this development, said the general had sought meetings with defense secretary Ash Carter and joint chiefs of staff Gen Joseph Dunford.
While Sharif ’s reasons for seeking the meetings have not been publicly announced by Pakistan, the US is expected to cover “topics that we routinely cover with our Pakistan partners”.
As army chief, Sharif wields immense and real power in Pakistan, as did all his predecessors. But he is also currently riding a rare wave of popularity for a general.
Newsweek Pakistan declared him Man of the Year in 2014. And the day Prime Minister Sharif met President Barack Obama last month, The Wall Street Journal reported, “But next month, top American officials will hold talks with the man many people say calls the shots on the issues Washington cares most about: Gen Raheel Sharif.”Michael Kugelman, a US-Pakistan ties expert at Wilson Center, wrote around the same time: “The upcoming US visit of another Sharif – Pakistan army chief Gen Raheel Sharif – has much more potential to make waves and bring meaningful results.”
US officials don’t seem to see it quite the same way though. “That is interesting indeed! Though in some ways not surprising,” Kugelman told Hindustan Times in an email on Thursday.
It may have something do with his agenda, which hasn’t been announced yet. “My sense is that there is unease within the Pakistani security establishment that the US could reduce levels of assistance in the coming months, and Gen Sharif wants to make a pitch to keep the spigot open and the aid flowing.”
Also, many in the US believe that while the army chief may have moved decisively against the Pakistani Taliban, he has not done enough to degrade the Haqqani Network or Lashkar-e-Taiba.
But Kugelman argued, “Regardless of what is discussed, this much is clear — Gen Sharif will be warmly welcomed in Washington.”

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 10
Despite the notification on the ‘one rank, one pension’ (OROP) scheme, ex-servicemen today continued their protest and returned their gallantry and other medals, accusing the government of cheating them.
This is not the first time veterans have returned their medals. They did the same during the tenure of the UPA. Veterans said they would observe a ‘Black Diwali’ to protest the Modi government’s failure to keep its promises.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the ex-servicemen protesting over the OROP notification were misguided and that they should approach a judicial commission being set up as part of the scheme to discuss the issue.
“It’s their democratic right (to protest), but I think they are misguided. If at all they have a grievance, they (ex-servicemen) should put it before the judicial commission we are appointing,” Parrikar said at the commissioning ceremony of ICGS Samarth at Goa Shipyard Limited in Panaji. Yesterday, Parrikar had ruled out any more concessions on OROP. Ex-servicemen returned their war and other medals at various places in Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday to register their protest against the “diluted” notification of the OROP.
There were reports of veterans returning their medals in Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala in Punjab and Panchkula, Rohtak, Hisar and Ambala in Haryana.

Protesters misled: Govt
The behaviour of ex-servicemen protesting the notification on the OROP scheme is unlike that of a soldier. They have been misguided —Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister

Government today issued notification for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) for ex-servicemen while Maj Gen Satbir Singh (Retd), Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement termed it unacceptable.
The long-pending ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen was tonight brought into force with government issuing a notification which will benefit over 25 lakh veterans and war widows.
However, the protesting ex-servicemen rejected the notification, saying their main demands have not been accepted and it has become “one-rank-five-pension.”
The notification is almost similar to the announcement made by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on September 5.
To begin with, pension would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013 and the benefit will be effective with effect from July 1, 2014.
The veterans had demanded that the period for pension should be financial year 2013-14 and not the calender year.
Also, they wanted April 1 as the effective date instead of July 1.
The notification said that in future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years. However, ex-servicemen had been demanding revision of pension every two years, if not one.
In his immediate reaction to the notification, Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, Chairman of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement spearheading the protest, said “the notification will not be acceptable to the rank and file. It is not One-Rank-One- Pension but One-Rank-Five-Pension”.
Another key element of the notification is that the armed forces personnel who opt to get discharged on their request would henceforth not get OROP benefits.
“It will be effective prospectively,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar tweeted.
The statement said the previous government had made a budget announcement to implement the OROP and made a provision of Rs 500 crore.
“The present government undertook the task earnestly and realised that the actual additional annual expenditure would be Rs 8,000 to 10,000 crore at present and will increase further in future.
“Notwithstanding the financial constraints, true to its commitment, the present government has issued the government order to implement the OROP in true spirit,” a statement by the Defence Ministry said.
The notification said pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retiring in 2013 in the same rank and with the same length of service. It added that pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.
The veterans had demanded to take into account the maximum and not the average.
It said that the arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly instalments. However, all family pensioners, including those in receipt of Special/Liberalised family pensioners, and gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one instalment.
An important element in the notification was that personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3)1(i)(b), 13(3)1(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP. It will be effective prospectively.
The government has decided to appoint a Judicial Committee to look into anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The Judicial Committee will submit its report in six months.
Detailed instructions along with tables indicating revised pension for each rank and each category, shall be issued separately for updation of pension and payment of arrears directly by Pension Disbursing Agencies.
The Defence Ministry said the issue of OROP was a long standing demand.
Defence Forces had been demanding it for almost four decades but the issue could not be resolved.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a commitment to implement it for the welfare of the ex-servicemen and accordingly the government had announced modalities for implementation of OROP on September 5, the statement said.
It added that the the notification could not be issued due to model code of conduct.
Meanwhile, Maj Gen (retd) Singh said, “If it is revision every 5 years and average of the scale then it is not acceptable. This is not One Rank One Pension, but One Rank Five Pension. This is against what Parliament had announced”.
He questioned why has the government announced July 1 as the effective date. By not announcing it as April 1, the government is trying to deprive the veterans and war widows of the funds.
“At the face of it, we find this notification highly irrational,” he said.
Col (retd) Anil Kaul, Media Advisor to IESM said not all demands were met by the government, but there was a climbdown on the premature retirement. He, however, added that he had not read the notification.

IAF may acquire armed drones
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 16

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is going in for a change in its unmanned arsenal. Two types of armed drones with capability to carry missiles are being finalised. The IAF is looking at the armed version of a drone made by US company General Atomics and the armed version of the Israeli “heron”, which the IAF currently uses for surveillance.
Sources confirm that talks are on to acquire 10 “Heron TP” version of the heron family. The Ministry of Defence had okayed the proposal in May last year. “We are working to finalise the deal that is estimated to be $400 million,” sources said. This could be the first drone in the Indian arsenal to have a missile-strike ability hence can be used to hit at targets without sending a man on the mission on board a fighter jet. The armed forces had proposed buying armed drones in 2012.

At present, the IAF has a fleet of “Harop” drones from Israel, which are self-destructing “kamikaze” style drones which can crash into high-value enemy military targets. The Air Force already has an inventory of around 110 of these and in February another 54 were okayed.
The difference is that the missile carrying drone like “heron” can return to the base after firing its missiles, while the “harop” self-destructs onto a target after a command from ground.

The IAF is also keen on getting an armed version of the drones the Indian Navy is acquiring for long range reconnaissance.

There is clarity within the IAF that the armed drone will be an important aspect in any future conflict.

The Indian Navy had first announced requirement for 22 Guardian drones in 2016 at an estimated cost of $2 billion. The Guardian is a variant of the Predator family of drones, which is optimised for maritime surveillance.

The IAF will get the “Predator-B” (designated MQ-9 Reaper by the US Air Force). It can carry up to 1.7 tonnes of external stores, including sensors, anti-tank missiles and guided bombs, weighing up to 230 kg each. The heavier payload gives it greater flexibility in striking a diverse number of targets on the ground.

Unmanned arsenal

• Talks are on to acquire 10 ‘Heron TP’ that has missile-strike ability. It can be used to hit at targets without sending a man on the mission on board a fighter jet
• It also plans to acquire ‘Predator-B’ (designated MQ-9 Reaper bythe US Air Force)

A group of 49 eminent personalities, including filmmakers, authors and actors, wrote to the prime minister on Tuesday, expressing concern over the recent instances of mob violence and lynching in the country. Photo credit: Instagram.

Kolkata, July 25

Actor Kaushik Sen, who is one of the signatories of the letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of mob violence, said on Thursday that he has received a threat call.

Police have been informed about it and the phone number has been forwarded to them, he said.

“Yesterday I received a call from an unknown number, where I was threatened of dire consequences if I don’t stop raising my voice against lynchings and intolerance. I was told that I would be killed if I don’t mend my ways,” Sen told PTI.

A senior police officer said the matter was being looked into.

“To be honest, I am not bothered about such calls. I have also informed other signatories about the call and forwarded them the number,” Sen said.

A group of 49 eminent personalities, including filmmakers, authors and actors, wrote to the prime minister on Tuesday, expressing concern over the recent instances of mob violence and lynching in the country.

The signatories also said that they regretted that “Jai Shri Ram” has been reduced to a “provocative war cry that leads to law and order problems, and lynchings take place in its name”. PTI

Lynchings in Ram’s name: Celebs to PM

Say democracy can’t exist without dissent

New Delhi, July 24

Fortynine celebrities, including artistes, have written a letter to PM Narendra Modi urging him to stop “religion-based hate crimes” and lamenting “Jai Shri Ram had been reduced to a provocative war cry with lynchings happening in its name”.

The letter, signed by the likes of Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Aparna Sen, Ramachandra Guha, Ashish Nandy, Anurag Kashyap, Konkona Sen and Mani Ratnam, among others, seeks answers from the government on steps being taken to stop hate crimes.

“These are not the Middle Ages! The name of Ram is sacred to many in the majority community of India. As the highest executive of this country, you must stop name of Ram being defiled in this manner,” it said. “No ruling party is synonymous with the country where it is in power. Democracy can’t exist without dissent,” they wrote, noting anti-government stand shouldn’t be equated to anti-national sentiments. — TNS