DRDO identifies 108 Systems and Subsystems for industry to design, develop and manufacture towards achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'

 

Responding to the clarion call given by Hon’ble Prime Minister for “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken several initiatives to strengthen the indigenous defence ecosystem. Towards this, A DRDO delegation met with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today to apprise him about 108 systems and subsystems which have been identified for designing and development by the Indian Industry only. The list of technologies is enclosed at Appendix. This initiative will pave the way for Indian Defence industry to develop many technologies towards building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

DRDO will also provide support to industries for design, development and testing of these systems on requirement basis.  All the requirements of these systems by R&D establishments, Armed Forces, and other Security Agencies can be met through development contracts or production orders on suitable Indian industry. This will allow DRDO to focus on design & development of critical and advanced technologies and systems.

DRDO has been partnering with industry for realization of its systems. Collaborating with DRDO in the development of major weapon systems the Indian industry has matured to a stage where they can develop systems on their own. Indian industry has progressed from a ‘build to print’ partner to ‘build to specification’ partner.

The present industry base for DRDO consists of 1,800 MSMEs along with DPSUs, Ordnance Factories and large-scale industries.  DRDO has already taken major initiatives through various policies to involve Indian industry as Development cum Production Partners (DcPP), offering its technology to industry at nominal cost and providing free access to its patents. 

This initiative will support the fast-growing Indian defence industrial ecosystem and will help the industry to contribute towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in a big way.     

Systems/ Sub systems for Industry to Design, Developand Manufacture 

S.No.	System	Timelines	Remarks
1.	Mini and Micro UAVs	2020
2.	Mini and Micro RoVs	2020
3.	Un-cooled NV-IR sights for weapons (short range)	2020
4.	Mountain Foot Bridge (Metallic)	2020
5.	Multi Span Bridge (Metallic)	2020
6.	Modular Bridge (Metallic)	2020
7.	Floating Bridge (Metallic)	2020
8.	Mines Laying and Marking Equipments	2020
9.	NBC Shelters	2020
10.	Armoured Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV)	2020
11.	Multipurpose Decontamination Systems (MPDS)	2020
12.	Mobile Decontamination System (MDS)	2020
13.	Solo Vehicle Based Transporter cum Tilter System	2020
14.	Special Purpose Transporters up to 80 T Payload	2020
15.	Loader cum Replenishment (LCR) Vehicles	2020
16.	Anti-Terrorist Vehicle (ATV)	2020
17.	Heavy Recovery Vehicle	2020
18.	IR flare	2020
19.	Tank Transporter	2020
20.	Multi Spectral Camouflage Net (MSCN)	2021
21.	Unit Maintenance Vehicle	2021
22.	Unit Repair Vehicle	2021
23.	Bullet Proof Vehicle	2020
24.	Missile Canisters	2020
25.	Missile Assembly Jigs	2020
26.	Missile Storage Containers	2020
27.	Marine Rocket Launcher	2020
28.	Image Intensified (II)Based Weapon Sights	2021
29.	Single Mode LASER Source (up to 2 kW)	2020
30.	Blast Doors	2020
31.	Fire Detection Systems	2020
32.	Telemedicine System	2020
33.	Satellite Navigation Receivers	2020
34.	Fabric for Parachutes	2021
35.	TR Modules	2020
36.	Batteries (Ag-Zn, Li Ion, Thermal)	2021
37.	Microwave Receivers	2021
38.	Single Board Computer	2020
39.	Hardware for Onboard Computers	2021
40.	Pneumatic Actuator System (up to 450 kgf)	2020
41.	Stabilization Systems for Ground Based Applications	2020
42.	Display Systems	2020
43.	Hydraulic Actuation Systems (up to 16 T)	2021
44.	Electro-Mechanical Actuators (up to 2T)	2021
45.	Cable Looms	2020
46.	Relay Units	2020
47.	Hardware for Fire Control Systems	2020
48.	Video converters	2020
49.	Display Processors	2020
50.	Navigation Radars	2020
51.	Blast Sensors	2020
52.	Routers	2021
53.	Electric Power Conditioners	2021
54.	Germanium Blanks	2021
55.	Optical Blanks (VK 7, fused Silica)
56.	Solenoid valve (> 10 ms)	2021
57.	EMP protected Racks	2020
58.	Shelters for Radar & Communication	2021
59.	Antennas for Satellite Communication Receivers	2021
60.	Airborne Displays	2021
61.	PCM Documentation System	2020
62.	Tele command System	2020
63.	Transponder System	2020
64.	Onboard SCP for Telemetry	2020
65.	Onboard PCM for Telemetry	2020
66.	Onboard Antennae for Telemetry	2020
67.	High Nitrogen Steel	2020
68.	2xxx, 5xxx,6xxx and 7xxx series Aluminium	2020
69.	Rotary Joints	2020
70.	Slip Rings	2021
71.	Bearings High speed (Miniature)	2020
72.	Torpedo Tubes	2020
73.	Pressure Transducers	2021
74.	Bus Controllers for 1553, CAN, 1773	2020
75.	Power PC Back Planes	2020
76.	Umbilical Connectors	2020
77.	RF Cables	2020
78.	RF Connectors	2020
79.	Miniature Bearings	2021
80.	Slewing Rings	2021
81.	MIL – Connectors	2020
82.	MIL – Relays (Electro-Mechanical)	2020
83.	MIL – Relays (Solid state)	2020
84.	Pressure Tight and Non-Pressure Tight Cable	2020
85.	Pressure Tight and Non-Pressure Tight Connectors	2021
86.	RF power Amplifier	2020
87.	Bulk Up Converters	2020
88.	EMP Power Line Filters	2020
89.	EMP Data Filters	2020
90.	EMI/EMC Filters	2020
91.	EMI/EMC Gaskets	2020
92.	Composite Materials Sea Water Pumps 40TPH & 125 TPH	2021
93.	Miniature Self-regulating Dual Flow JT Cooler	2021
94.	Solid State TTR, CTS, TAR Magnetron for OSA-AK-M	2021
95.	Amplidyne	2021
96.	Secure Customized 3G/LTE end–Points (Handsets/Dongles) for Mobile Network	2021
97.	Pressure Measuring Instrument for Aircraft Application	2021
98.	Air Data Probe for Aircraft Application	2021
99.	Pumps for Aircraft Application-Hydraulic	2021
100.	Nose Wheel Steering Manifold	2021
101.	Angle of Attack and Angle of Side Slip Sensors	2021
102.	Rotary Actuation Aggregators for Fighter Aircraft Application	2021
103.	Total Air Temperature Probe	2021
104.	Potentiometer for Aircraft Application	2021
105.	Fuel System Components for Aircraft Application	2021
106.	Marine Desalinations for Life Rafts	2021
107.	Absorption Type Air Conditioning System Based on Waste Heat Recovery	2021
108.	24 Gigabit Ethernet switch	2021

Government of India and AIIB sign agreement for $500 million to improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai

 

The Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) today signed a loan agreement for a US$ 500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III to improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai.

The Project is expected to increase network capacity in the region with the reduction in journey time and fatal accidents of commuters. It is estimated that among primary beneficiaries of the project, 22 per cent are female passengers who will benefit from improved safety and quality of service.

The loan agreement was signed by Shri Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Chief Secretary on behalf of the Government of Maharashtra, Shri R. S. Khurana, Chief Managing Director on behalf of the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation and Shri Rajat Misra, Director General (Acting), Investment Operations on behalf of the AIIB.

Shri Khare said that this project will assist in improved mobility, service quality and safety of passengers of the sub urban railway system of Mumbai, by providing faster, more reliable, and higher quality transport services compared to road-based transport. There will be direct safety benefits to passengers and the public through introduction of trespass control measures.

With a population of 22.8 million (2011), Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is the most populous metropolitan region in India and is expected to reach 29.3 million by 2031 and 32.1 million by 2041. This population growth represents the core driver behind Mumbai’s urban expansion, compelling the state of Maharashtra to prioritize sound urban and infrastructure planning which balances economic activities, mobility as well as the optimization of environmental and social outcomes.

Around 86 per cent of Mumbai commuters rely on public transport. However, supply has not kept pace with rising travel demand. The Mumbai suburban railway network, which carries three quarters of all motorized travel (78 per cent of passenger km or eight million passengers per day) increasing at three per cent annually, suffers from some of the most severe overcrowding in the world. User experience is further compromised by low amenity of carriages, substandard stations and station access, and serious safety concerns. Between 2002-2012, there were more than 36,152 fatalities (on average, 9.9 fatalities per day) and 36,688 injuries on the Mumbai suburban railway network. A key reason for accidents and deaths is trespassing at or between stations as well as overcrowding of both stations and train cars.

AIIB Vice President D.J. Pandian said that this project represents another major step in supporting our member countries in their efforts to provide transport capacity while removing transport bottlenecks, and thus improving the daily commuting experience of millions of Mumbaikars. In line with our Transport Sector Strategy, the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III will also help in reducing carbon emissions by shifting passengers away from higher-carbon road transport towards efficient and convenient rail-based mobility. In addition, female passengers will benefit from improved safety and quality of service.

The total estimated cost of the project is US$ 997 million, of which US$ 500 million will be financed by the AIIB, US$ 310 million by the Government of Maharashtra and US$ 187 million by Ministry of Railways. The US$ 500 million loan from the AIIB has a 5-year grace period and a maturity of 30 years.

Digital payments market in India likely to grow 3-folds to Rs 7,092 trillion by 2025: Report

 

Digital payments in India are expected to increase over three-folds to Rs 7,092 trillion (US$ 100.61 trillion) by 2025 on account of government policies around financial inclusion and growing digitisation of merchants, according to a research report by RedSeer Consulting. In 2019-20. the country's digital payment market was worth around Rs 2,162 trillion (US$ 30.67 trillion).

"The current 160 million unique mobile payment users will multiply by five times to reach nearly 800 million by 2025. This growth will be driven by a number of demand and supply-side drivers," said the Bengaluru-based management consultancy.

"Mobile payments will drive around 3.5 per cent of total digital payments of Rs 7,092 trillion (US$ 100.61 trillion) by financial year 2025, up from the current one per cent. The total mobile payment users who currently stand at about 162 million would reach around 800 million during this period," the report added.

It is estimated that the wallets will continue to be major contributor in the growth with the constant increase in both frequency and user base.

RedSeer offers its service to various e-commerce companies and venture capitalists including Tiger Global. It estimated that this growth of digital payments will be on the back of increased penetration with offline merchants and the penetration with the unorganised retail sector, which will grow on the back of increased merchant digitisation in cities beyond tier II.

COVID-19 was seen as a catalyst to digital payments across India by RedSeer.

"COVID-19 seems like another demonetisation-like catalyst for the industry. Digital payment providers have been quite hands-on in terms of responding to this situation, by offering enhanced support on essentials such as offering groceries, masks, sanitisers, COVID-19 insurance, offering integration with donations to PM fund and other essential product and services," RedSeer Consulting founder and CEO Mr Anil Kumar said.

It was seen that share of grocery stores increased to 75 per cent in digital payments due to COVID-19 as people opted paying through mobile phone due to safety concerns.

"There is significant headroom for growth of EDC (electronics data capture) terminals in the small retailer universe. Large and mid-sized retailers use more than 2 EDC terminals. Today we have around 5 million terminals, which is almost 5 times that in financial year 2015," the report said.

The report further added that the payment gateway aggregator market in India is expected to grow by 2.4 times driven by large value transactions from current Rs 9.5 trillion (US$ 134.77 billion). The growth at a compounded annual growth rate of 19 per cent in the next five years to reach Rs 22.6 trillion (US$ 320.61 billion) is expected by FY25.

"The payment gateway market today is very competitive, and all leading players are fighting for the market share. Paytm leads this pack and has grown the fastest followed by BillDesk with marquee government clients," the report said.

Singapore govt invests Rs 450 crore in Phoenix Mills share sale

 

The Government of Singapore has invested Rs 450 crore (US$ 63.84 million) in the latest qualified institutional placement (QIP) offering of mall developer Phoenix Mills Ltd.

Sor far, Phoenix Mills has raised Rs 1,100 crore (US$ 156.05 million) through its QIP.

The biggest investor in the share sale was the Government of Singapore, contributing almost 41 per cent of the total amount.

The sale also included some major domestic institutional investors such as ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, SBI Mutual Fund and Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, according to the stock exchange filing of the company.

The investors were issued shares at Rs 603 (US$ 8.55) apiece.

Phoenix Mills plans to utilise this proceeding of the QIP in growth opportunities including investing in existing and proposed business ventures, proposed acquisitions, debt service obligations, capital expenditure and working capital requirements.

The advisor for Phoenix Mills were Investment banks Kotak Mahindra Capital and UBS.

It has been seen that the Singapore Government and its investment arms have been flowing in large sums of capital into listed Indian companies, especially financial services companies.

Singapore govt and its investment arms have so far committed a total of US$ 670 million in ICICI Bank Ltd, HDFC Ltd, and Bandhan Bank Ltd in the first half of August.

EPFO Makes Significant Progress in Updating KYC of its Subscribers During July- 2020 Despite COVID Pandemic

 

During the month of July 2020, EPFO has been successful in updating 2.39 lakh Aadhaar's, 4.28 lakh Mobile numbers and 5.26 lakh Bank Account's in the Universal Account Number (UAN) of its subscribers.

As the country faces the unprecedented challenge of the COVID 19 pandemic, the concept of social distancing has assumed immense importance. EPFO, as the principal social Security Organization in the country, has been striving hard, to provide unhindered services to its subscribers through digital mode with almost minimal contact.

The organization, in its endeavour to extend the availability and reach of its online services, has been proactively updating its Know Your Customer (KYC) data to enable its subscribers in availing its services through online mode.

The KYC updation is a onetime Process that helps in the identity verification of its subscribers through linking of the UAN with the KYC details. Once this exercise is completed and seeded KYC details validated, the EPFO subscriber becomes empowered to avail services of EPFO through digital mode.

To safeguard its subscribers and its employees, the organization has consciously adopted a strategy for active focus on KYC updating of its subscribers, through deployment of its workforce on this crucial task as Work from Home activity. Many EPFO staff members are exclusively assigned the task of updating KYC, including rectification of the details as a WFH activity. This has been undertaken as a time bound exercise which has yielded very encouraging results. This KYC updation has helped tremendously in empowerment of EPFO subscribers for availing services of EPFO in digital mode and thus eliminating need for any kind of physical contact with any office of EPFO for its needs.

Shri Gadkari to lay foundation Stone and inaugurate 35 highway projects worth over Rs 9400 crore in Madhya Pradesh

 Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari will lay foundation stone of and inaugurate 35 highway projects in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan will preside over the virtual function, to be attended by Union Ministers Shri Thavarch and Gehlot and Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, MoSs Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste and Gen (Dr) V K Singh (Rtd), Ministers from the State, several MPs, MLAs and senior officers from the Centre and the State.

These projects for inauguration and foundation laying carry a Road length of 1,139 kilometers, involving construction value of over Rs 9,400 crore (US$ 1.33 billion). Paving the way for development of MP, these roads will enhance better connectivity, convenience, and economic growth in the State.