Himachal floats tender for waste management plant as Kasol faces garbage crisis
Waste was also found to be dumped at another location without informing the rural development department. The deputy commissioner said the Special Area Development Authority (SADA) could also be fined for the lapse.The official stressed that cleanup operations were now underway on a war footing. However, the official said it would take a few months to streamline solid waste management operations.advertisementThe incidents, within a demarcated wildlife sanctuary zone, have exposed serious violations by local authorities of the terms of land clearance.The government had granted approval (stage 1) for diverting 0.1982 hectares of forest land for setting up a solid waste management plant at Kasol under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It came with stringent conditions.Among the key pre-conditions were the payment of Compensatory Afforestation (CA) and Net Present Value (NPV) charges, submission of a Forest Rights Act (FRA) certificate from the district collector, and an undertaking that no other approved proposal in the division was pending for compliance.Post-approval conditions include no change to the legal status of forest land, restrictions on tree felling, protection of wildlife, establishment of a green belt, onsite waste treatment, prohibition of labour camps, etc.Trending Reel
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NDTV
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Eased Licensing and Exports: To facilitate faster growth, the government has simplified licensing for manufacturers, de-licensed components, introduced digital systems for faster export authorisations, resulting in 1,500+ approvals in 2024-25. FDI Liberalisation: In a significant move to globalise India's defence sector, Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector was liberalised in September 2020 to attract foreign investment, allowing up to 74% FDI through the automatic route and above 74% through the government route. Since April 2000, the total FDI in defence industries stands at Rs 5,516.16 crore. Strengthening Private Sector's Role Dominated by public sector undertakings (DPSUs), India's defence sector has seen a surge in private sector contribution. In May 2001, the Defence Industry sector was opened up to 100% for Indian private sector participation through licensing. In 2024-25, private companies contributed Rs 15,233 crore to exports. The annual turnover as reported by companies operating in Defence and Aerospace sectors in the private sector for the year 2018-19 is approximately Rs 15,000 crores Record Defence Contracts In 2024-25, the Ministry of Defence signed a record 193 contracts valued at Rs 2,09,050 crore, 81% of which (Rs 1,68,922 crore) went to Indian companies. The key procurements included: 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand worth Rs 62,700 crore (65% indigenous; 250 Indian companies involved). 307 ATAGS artillery guns and 327 towing vehicles for Rs 7,000 crore, developed by DRDO, Bharat Forge, and Tata Advanced Systems. Wet lease of KC-135 refuelling aircraft to strengthen aerial reach and pilot training. Defence Exports Surge To All-Time High India's defence exports in 2024-25 reached Rs 23,622 crore ($2.76 billion), a 12.04% increase over the previous year and nearly 15 times growth compared to 2016. Exports included: Bulletproof jackets Dornier Do-228 aircraft Chetak helicopters Interceptor boats Lightweight torpedoes 'Made in Bihar' combat boots for the Russian Army DPSUs saw a 42.85% increase in exports, contributing Rs 8,389 crore, while the private sector contributed Rs 15,233 crore. Export authorisations rose by 16.92%, and the number of exporters grew by 17.4%. India has now exported defence items to around 80 countries, solidifying its position as a trusted global defence partner. India's defence exports touched a record Rs 23,622 crore ($2.76 billion) in 2024-25, a 12% increase over the previous year and nearly 15x growth since 2016. Proving Capability: Operation Sindoor In a major testimony of India's indigenised defence capabilities, Operation Sindoor in May 2025 showcased the performance of homegrown systems. In May 2025, during Operation SINDOOR, India used homegrown defence systems. India's air defence systems, including Akash, OSA-AK, and LLAD guns, neutralised Pakistani drone and missile threats across key locations. On The Road To Rs 50,000 Crore Defence Exports India's defence sector has made major progress in recent years. The record production of Rs 1,50,590 crore in 2024-25 is a strong sign that the country is building more of its own defence equipment instead of relying on imports. Looking ahead, the government is keeping up the momentum. For 2025-26, it has set aside Rs 6,81,210.27 crore for the Ministry of Defence, the biggest share among all ministries. Of this, 75% of the modernisation budget (Rs 1,11,544 crore) will go toward buying from Indian companies. With new policies and initiatives, and expanding manufacturing, India is positioning itself as a top defence exporter, with a goal of Rs 50,000 crore in annual exports by 2029.
