The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) is an equipment installed in an aeroplane for the purpose of providing automatically a timely and distinctive warning to the flight crew when the aeroplane is in potentially hazardous proximity to the earth’s surface.
The requirements are as follows :
Excessive descent rate, excessive terrain closure rate, excessive altitude loss after take off or go-ground, unsafe terrain clearance while not in landing configuration, and excessive descent below the instrument glide path.
It may be recalled that International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) introduced GPWS carriage requirements in 1978 to alleviate
the Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) problem. A significant decline
in the number of incidents was observed after installation of GPWS. The
CFIT, however, continued to be a critical flight safety problem. ICAO has,
therefore, amended the GPWS provisions.
The 16 States where State Finance Commissions have been constituted are : Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The six Union Territories where State Finance Commissions have been constituted are Delhi, Chandigarh, Pondicherry, Daman & Deu, Lakshadweep, Andman and Nicobar Islands. The five States where State Finance Commissions are yet to be constituted are Bihar, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa and Tripura. In the three States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar no municipality exists. These States and Union Territories, have , therefor, not constituted State Finance Commissions.
The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act,
envisages devolution of financial and administrative powers to the municipalities
(local bodies) for better sanitation and environment improvement of urban
areas. The State Finance Commissions are intended to devolve adequate powers
to the municipalities and make them self-reliant so that deterioration
in Urban India is arrested.
The website focuses on India as a whole, while emphasising on internal security and human rights. Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East receive special attention in the internal security page. The site also contains useful information regarding various subjects and organisations dealt with in the Ministry.
The site incorporates user-friendly features, such
as various forms for PIO card, FCRA registration/permission, arms licence,
etc., which can be downloaded.
The agenda items for the Conference include issues pertaining Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana(SGSY), DRDA Administration, Employment Assurance Scheme, Watershed Development, Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana(JGSY), Panchayati Raj and Rural Housing. Rural Development Secretaries representing Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Haryana among other States would be present on the first day of the Conference. Panchayati Raj and Rural Housing Secretaries would be attending on the second day.
The issues involved under SGSY are its new guidelines and Below Poverty Line census. Under DRDA administration, the issues for discussion would be the Guidelines, Vigilance and Monitoring Committees & computerisation of DRDAs. Under the Employment Assurance Scheme, the agenda includes its restructuring. The Drought Prone Areas Programme(DPAP) and Desert Development Programme(DDP) issues involve integration of all Watershed Programmes and their performance.
The new guidelines have been formulated for the JGSY which would be discussed at the Conference. A number of issues under Panchayati Raj would be discussed. They include powers of the Gram Sabha, Panchayat elections, Devolution of powers, Constitution of District Planning Committees and implementation of recommendations of the State Finance Commission along with the utilisation of 10 Finance Commission Awards. The provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 would also be deliberated upon.
The Government has launched a Credit-cum-Subsidy
Scheme w.e.f. 1.4.99 under Rural Housing which would be discussed at the
Conference. Other issues pertaining to rural housing which would be deliberated
upon at the Conference are Rural Building Centres and Innovative Stream
for Rural Housing and Habitat Development. There would also be a review
of Indira Awaas Yojana.
Speaking on the occasion of the commissioning of INS Mysore at Mumbai today, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the day is not very far away when the entire fleet of Indian Navy would comprise of warships and submarines designed by the Indian Navy and built by Indian Shipyard.
Shri Vajpayee also announced sanctioning of three of the next generation world class Type 17 frigates, two Project 75 submarines and an aircraft carrier.
The following is the text of the Prime Minister’s speech on the occasion:
"I am very pleased to be here with all of you today on the occasion of the commissioning of INS Mysore. The inductin of this second guided missile destroyer is indeed a momentous event in the history of the Indian Navy.
It is a proud moment for all Indians as this sophisticated warship has been designed in India and built in our own shipyard at Mumbai. This ship's name, too, has a proud association. The State of Mysore, which was later renamed as Karnataka, produced many valiant warriors who fought against foreign rule.
More than forty years ago, the largest cruiser in Asia was commissioned as INS Mysore. That ship served the Navy and the country for many years with dedication and distinction. Today, I am confident that the name of its successor ship will once again resonate across the seas.
This ship marks the triumph of India's indigenous warship design and construction capacity, for which I compliment its builders, Mazgaon Dock Limited. With a mighty array of weapons, sensors, engines and of course well-trained people to man them, this ship will substantially add to our naval strength and to our ability to defend ourselves.
The Indian Navy has for several years followed the difficult route of indigenisation. INS Mysore signifies an important milestone in our advance towards self-reliance. We are confident that the day is not far when the entire fleet of the Indian Navy would comprise warships and submarines designed by the Indian Navy and built by Indian shipyards.
I am happy to announce that we have sanctioned the construction of three of the next-generation world-class Type 17 frigates, two Project 75 submarines and an aircraft carrier. All of these have been designed by the Indian Navy and will be built in our shipyards.
Two months ago, I had an opportunity to visit our Western Fleet and to witness naval exercised in the Arabian Sea aboard INS Viraat. There, I had remarked that the Nation -- and I -- sleep soundly knowing that our seas are well guarded by you sailors. Today, your compatriots in the other two services are fighting courageously in the coldest and highest battlefield in the Kargil sector, so that all of us are reassured that our country's borders are safe and secure.
Standing aboard this warship, I, on behalf of all my countrymen, express my sincerest gratitude today to our brave jawans and officers who are fighting an external aggression in Kashmir. Several of them have laid down their lives in defence of our Motherland. No words are sufficient to convey our eternal gratefulness to these martyrs.
The territorial integrity of India is sacred to us. It is dearer to us. It is dear to us than our lives. The entire nation stands united behind our Armed Forces in their operations to remove the aggressors.
The situation in Kashmir once again reminds us of the age-old adage: "Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom." I call upon the officers and men of the Indian Navy to be always alert, and always ready to deal with any situation that may arise in the vast seas and oceans that surround us. The Navy, I know, is called the "Silent Service", but, if called upon to defend the nation, I have no doubt that it too will do its duty, with the same dedication as our soldiers and airmen.
India has been a maritime nation since the down of our civilization. Our ancestors had mastered the art and science of sailing. And they sailed far and wide to promote trade, culture, knowledge, and the message of peace and brotherhood. As we stand on the threshold of a new century and a new millennium, we must dream of regaining - and surpassing-our old glory on the seas.
India has vast and diverse maritime interests. We need a strong and versatile Navy to safeguard our interests. We are prepared to cooperate with all the maritime countries in the world to ensure peaceful seas everywhere, and especially to keep the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace.
I wish all success to the men, and, in the future, probably women too, who will sever abroad INS Mysore. May all your actions always add to the honor of the Navy and the safety of the country.
Jai Hind.