Army to get 1st batch of Apache choppers on July 22 after 15-month delay: Sources
However, repeated delays due to supply chain disruptions and technical issues faced by the US pushed the delivery timeline to December 2024.As per the original plan, the six helicopters were to arrive in two batches of three. While the second batch is expected later this year, the first batch has yet to reach India despite the deadline having passed over a year ago.The Army Aviation Corps raised its first Apache squadron at Nagtalao, Jodhpur, in March 2024. Pilots and ground staff were trained and ready for flight operations, but the squadron has remained without the attack helicopters since its raising.This prolonged wait has left a critical gap in the Army's operational readiness despite the urgency driven by the evolving threat perception along the western front.The Apache AH-64E helicopters are known for their agility, firepower, and advanced targeting systems and are seen as a crucial addition to the Army's arsenal.While the Indian Air Force has already inducted 22 Apache helicopters under a separate 2015 agreement, the Indian Army is still awaiting its share of these advanced combat helicopters to enhance its ground-attack capabilities.The Indian Army's Aviation Corps plays a vital role in supporting frontline operations and conducting diverse missions ranging from reconnaissance to casualty evacuation. Its existing assets include the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, which was grounded earlier this year following a crash of an Indian Coast Guard ALH in January.However, limited approvals were granted for Dhruv operations after the Pahalgam attack due to the emerging security situation.Other helicopters in the Corps' inventory include the Rudra, an armed version of the ALH Dhruv used for close air support and anti-tank roles; the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters for reconnaissance, logistics, and evacuation; and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), designed for offensive missions in high-altitude environments.advertisementFixed-wing aircraft like the Dornier 228 are also used for reconnaissance, logistics, and communication. The Corps also operates UAVs such as the Heron and Searcher for surveillance and reconnaissance, and Mi-17 helicopters for medium-lift transport and evacuation missions.The arrival of the Apache helicopters is expected to significantly augment the Army's ability to conduct offensive and defensive operations along the western frontier, enhancing overall preparedness amid ongoing operational priorities under Operation Sindoor.- EndsTrending Reel
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Explained: Biostimulants that aid plant growth, now under the Centre's scrutiny
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan last week wrote to Chief Ministers of all states to immediately stop the 'forced tagging' of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants along with conventional fertilisers. Chouhan highlighted complaints that retailers are not selling subsidised fertilisers like urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) to farmers unless they purchase biostimulants. He also said that many farmers had recently raised complaints about the inefficacy of biostimulants. 'It is necessary to review biostimulants thoroughly to see how much benefit the farmers are getting from it; if not, then permission to sell it cannot be given,' he said. The substances stimulate physiological processes in plants and help enhance the yield from a harvest. Plant-derived waste materials and seaweed extracts are at times used in their production. Officially, the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985, which regulates the manufacturing and sale of biostimulants, defines it as 'a substance or microorganism or a combination of both whose primary function when applied to plants, seeds or rhizosphere is to stimulate physiological processes in plants and to enhance its nutrient uptake, growth, yield, nutrition efficiency, crop quality and tolerance to stress… but does not include pesticides or plant growth regulators which are regulated under the Insecticide Act, 1968.' Market research firm Fortune Business Insights noted, 'The India biostimulants market size was valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 410.78 million in 2025 to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.64% during the forecast period.' Chouhan said that around 30,000 biostimulant products had been sold unchecked for several years, and even in the last four years, around 8,000 products remained in circulation. 'After I enforced stricter checks, the number has now come down to approximately 650,' he said in a statement on July 15. As biostimulants did not fall under the existing fertiliser or pesticide categories, they were sold in the open market without government approval for a long time. In India, fertilisers and pesticides are governed by the 1985 Fertiliser Control Order and the Insecticides Act of 1968, respectively. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare issues the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and makes changes to it from time to time. However, in 2011, the Punjab and Haryana High Court made an observation. Any manufacturer producing a bioproduct claiming to be a substitute for insecticides or fertiliser, but not covered under the rules, was to apply to the respective Director General of Agriculture, in the case of Haryana and Punjab. This paved the way for states to take samples of these products and check them before allowing their sale to farmers. As the sale of biostimulants increased over the years, it caught the Centre's attention. In 2017, NITI Aayog, the government's premier think tank, and the Agriculture Ministry started working on a framework for biostimulants. Finally, in February 2021, the ministry amended the 1985 FCO and included biostimulants, paving the way for their regulated manufacturing, sale and import. The inclusion of biostimulants empowered the Central government to fix specifications. The FCO classified biostimulants specified in Schedule VI of the FCO in eight categories, including botanical extracts (as well as seaweed extracts), bio-chemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Every manufacturer or importer of a biostimulant shall make an application to the Controller of Fertilisers along with the requisite product information. The product's chemistry, source (natural extracts of plant/microbe/animal/synthetic), shelf-life, reports of bio-efficacy trials, and toxicity must be submitted, along with other data. The five basic acute toxicity tests are: (i) Acute oral (Rat) (ii) Acute dermal (Rat) (iii) Acute Inhalation (Rat) (iv) Primary skin Irritation (Rabbit) (v) Eye irritation (Rabbit) The four eco-toxicity tests are: (i) Toxicity to birds (ii) Toxicity to Fish (Freshwater) (iii) Toxicity to honeybees (iv) Toxicity to earthworm The FCO clearly states that no biostimulant shall contain any pesticide beyond the permissible limit of 0.01ppm. Further, agronomic bio-efficiency trials shall be conducted under the National Agricultural Research System, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and state agricultural universities. 'Bio-efficacy trials shall be conducted at minimum three different doses for one season at three agro-ecological locations,' it states. Additionally, on April 9, 2021, the agriculture ministry constituted the Central Biostimulant Committee for five years, with the Agriculture Commissioner as its Chairperson and seven other members. Under the FCO, it shall advise the Centre on: (i) inclusion of a new biostimulant; (ii) specifications of various biostimulants; (iii) methods of drawing of samples and its analysis; (iv) minimum requirements of laboratory; (v) method of testing of biostimulants; (vi) any other matter referred to it by the central government. According to the FCO order, amended in 2021, manufacturers could make and sell biostimulants for two years if they made an application for provisional registration. Sources say that the Agriculture Ministry kept extending the two-year deadline, which allowed most of the manufacturers as of 2021 to continue making and selling biostimulants based on provisional registration. Whereas, under the regular registration, companies have to submit testing protocols to the government. On March 17, in the latest extension of the provisional certificate facility, the ministry allowed biostimulants' sale for three months until June 16. It applied to all companies manufacturing or importing a biostimulant as of March 17, for which no standards were specified. With the March 17 notification having expired, the companies having provisional certificates and stocks of biostimulants cannot sell their products in the market now, said a source. In addition to this, the Agriculture Ministry notified 'Specifications of Biostimulants' on May 26 for several crops, including tomato, chilli, cucumber, paddy, brinjal, cotton, potato, green gram, grape, hot pepper, soybean, maize, and onion. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Sona Comstar forms JV with JNT to enter Chinese EV market
Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Auto components Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd (Sona Comstar) on Sunday said it has formed a joint venture with Jinnaite Machinery to enter the Chinese electric vehicle market with an investment of USD 12 million (about Rs 100 crore). The company has signed a binding term sheet with Jinnaite Machinery Co Ltd (JNT) to establish a joint venture (JV) firm in China, Sona Comstar said in a statement. Sona Comstar will invest USD 12 million and have a 60 per cent stake, while JNT will contribute USD 8 million in assets and business to the joint venture in the first phase, it added. The JV will start operations in H2 FY26 to fulfil existing orders from EV and non-EV customers, marking a significant milestone in Sona Comstar's expansion into the Chinese EV market. It will manufacture and supply driveline systems and components to automotive OEMs in China and globally, the company said. Sona Comstar is the largest supplier of differential assemblies for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in North America and ranks among the top suppliers in Europe. 'The driveline manufacturing operations in China align with the company's strategy to expand its presence in Asian markets, particularly in India, China, Japan, and South Korea, while also working to increase its market share further in North America and Europe," the statement said. China is the world's largest automotive market, especially for electric vehicles. In 2024, annual EV sales in China reached 11 million, accounting for two-thirds of global EV sales, it added. Stating that Chinese OEMs dominate the market, accounting for 76 per cent of global EV sales last year, Sona Comstar said it is natural for any company with aspirations to be a global EV supplier to be part of the Chinese market and supply chain. 'This joint venture marks a significant step in our strategy to expand into the rapidly growing Asian markets. As the largest electric vehicle market in the world and a leader in EV technologies, China offers tremendous opportunities for innovation and growth," Sona Comstar MD and Group CEO Vivek Vikram Singh said. By leveraging the strengths of both partners, this venture is well-positioned for strong growth, and it has the potential to become a key supplier of driveline solutions for electric vehicles in the region, he added. 'With a robust order book already in place, we expect operations to commence later this year," Singh said. JNT operates a world-class foundry utilising patented technology to manufacture complex castings and moulds, it added. It is actively engaged in the formulation of Chinese national standards, having contributed to the development of five national standards. 'The joint venture leverages Sona Comstar's expertise in driveline system design, precision forging, and precision machining, combined with JNT's proficiency in casting and moulding," the company said. This collaboration, along with JNT's established customer relationships in China, supplier connections, and understanding of local regulations, positions JV for strong growth over the medium term, it added. PTI RKL BAL BAL view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Indian students lose Rs 1,700 crore to hidden bank fees in 2024: Report
When an Indian student boards a flight for New York, London, or Melbourne, they aren't travelling alone, not in spirit, and certainly not in sacrifice. Behind every young scholar is a family that has chosen to stretch its limits. They sell land, dip into retirement savings, take education loans, and pool family incomes. It's a quiet revolution carried out in living rooms, not while their story is familiar, a new cost has entered the picture, one not found in any college brochure or visa 2024, Indian families collectively lost Rs 1,700 crore, around USD 200 million, not to tuition fees or housing, but to hidden charges from banks. This figure, drawn from a report by Wise and Redseer Strategy Consultants, represents what was paid in exchange rate markups and banking fees alone. It is a cost invisible to most, but immense in its grasp the scale, consider this: the amount lost is nearly three times the budget of India's Chandrayaan-3 moon THE NUMBERS ADD UPOver 760,000 Indian students are currently studying abroad. Most rely on their families to send regular remittances to cover living expenses, tuition, and unforeseen report estimates that Indian households remitted between Rs 85,000 to Rs 93,500 crore (USD 10–11 billion) in 2024 for educational 95% of these funds are sent via traditional banks. The banks, in turn, apply an average 3-3.5% markup on currency processing fees and delays of 2–5 working days, and the impact is hard to a family sending Rs 30 lakh a year, this means Rs 60,000-75,000 lost to hidden charges, an amount that could cover several months of living expenses or a semester of STUDENTS ARE SAYINGPriyanka Agarwal, an Indian student in the United States, explains it plainly: 'The loan helped. But the forex service I used made all the difference. I didn't know how much we had been losing in earlier transfers until we switched.'Harusha, also in the US, points to the urgency of everyday life: 'My parents used to transfer money through the bank. It would take two to three days. But sometimes, I needed the funds immediately, for rent or emergencies.I switched to instant platforms, and it felt like a burden lifted.'Their stories echo a larger shift. Education-related payments now account for 75% of Wise's volume in India, just three years after the company entered the promise: mid-market exchange rates with no hidden fees, 12-hour average delivery time, and transparency in ISSUE OF TRUST AND TRANSPARENCYTaneia Bhardwaj, South Asia Expansion Lead at Wise, put it bluntly: 'Students today move fast. Their payments should, too. Five-day waits and surprise charges aren't just an inconvenience -- they're disruptions to education.'She adds: 'It's not just about efficiency. It's about fairness. When a parent makes sacrifices for a child's education, that money should reach where it's needed -- not disappear in invisible margins.'To address regulatory barriers, Wise also announced its plan to support education-related transactions made through loans, which may qualify for tax exemptions under India's updated TCS (Tax Collected at Source) rules.A BROADER ECONOMIC UNDERTONEIndia's outbound education economy is growing rapidly. In 2024, for the first time, India overtook China as the leading source of international students in the now account for over 30-35% of student enrolments in major study destinations. Just ten years ago, this figure stood at 11%.As education transforms into a key pillar of the Indian middle-class aspiration, remittance channels must story is no longer just about reaching top universities, it's about reaching there without bleeding dry on the the end, this is not just about banking or transfers. It's about trust. It's about making sure that every rupee sent carries the full weight of a family's hope -- not the burden of opaque families prepare to double their spending on education by 2030, the cost of financial inefficiency becomes a national that requires better systems, clearer regulations, and a renewed respect for what these families are trying to build, one tuition payment at a question isn't whether Indian students will continue to pursue global dreams. They will. The question is whether the system will let them do it without losing more than they already give.- EndsMust Watch
