New Delhi: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) initiated several pre-emptive and proactive measures to prevent loss of fishermen’s lives and to reduce impact from Cyclone Nivar and Burevi, Parliament was told on March 22.
In a written reply, Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Shripad Naik said ICG formations were put on high alert and high state of preparedness and were in constant contact with the State administration, various departments and India Meteorological Department (IMO) to ensure wide spread precautionary measures in the affected areas.
He said ICG ships and aircraft were deployed in advance for issuance of advisories and warnings in vernacular languages to fishermen at sea for safe return to ports. A total of 23 and 33 Coast Guard Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) were kept standby during cyclones Nivar and Burevi respectively.
Government is proposing to bring a new scheme for setting up Sainik Schools in the country in partnership with NGOs/ Private Schools/ States. The endeavour is to provide schooling opportunities in “CBSE Plus” type of educational environment by involving desirous Government/ Private Schools/ NGOs to partner in establishing/ aligning their system with Sainik Schools ethos, value system and national pride. It envisages enrolling existing/ upcoming schools to be run on the lines of Sainik Schools curriculum. The schools are proposed to be affiliated to Sainik Schools Society. Detailed guidelines and requisite approvals are at an advance stage, the Minister said.
Indian Navy remains operationally ready and maintains combat ready platforms with additional forces in readiness at various bases/ ports. Indian Navy is always ready to address any eventuality posed by the adversaries in its area of operations. It also diligently follows the Maintenance, Training, Operations and Deployment Cycle ensuring a high state of material as well as combat readiness encompassing all spectrums of maritime operations.
Modernisation of Indian Navy is an ongoing process, and is undertaken in accordance with Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan which is reviewed from time to time, Naik told the Rajya Sabha.
During the past three years, 79 projects amounting to Rs 8,201 Crores directly pertaining to development of new defence equipment like Cruise Missile, Anti-Ship Missile, Surface-to-Air Missile, Air-to-Air Missile, Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket, Mounted Gun System, Ammunition, Electronic Warfare System, Radars, Torpedoes, High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle etc. have been undertaken. Some of the DRDO developed systems which are likely to be available to our defence personnel during 2021-23 include ASTRA Missile, Anti Drone System, SATCOM devices, Helina and SAAW.
Many DRDO developed technologies such as Battle Field Surveillance Rader (BFSR), Joint Venture Protective Carbine (JVPC) Jammers, 5.56 mm Rifle, 40 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBRL), Oleo Resin (OR) Grenade etc are being utilised by the State Police.
