I. Current Affairs 16 February 2024

An 84,560 crore rupee defense purchase is approved by the central government. The foundation stone of AIIMS in Rewari was laid by PM Modi. Concurrently, the Telangana Assembly approved a motion authorizing a state-wide door-to-door caste survey.

Let’s examine some of the most significant current events that are relevant to students aspiring to work in government.

II. DEFENCE Current Affairs 2024

1. Rafale-Sukhoi Thundering at Pokaran: On February 17, the Air Force’s ‘Vayu Shakti’ exercise got underway at the firing range in Pokaran, which is close to the border between India and Pakistan. 121 fighter aircraft, including Sukhoi and Rafale models, were among them. The last few days have been spent getting ready for this drill.

• This exercise aimed to discuss the problems that China and Pakistan are experiencing.

• The Pokaran Field Firing Range covers an area of roughly fifty kilometers.

• There are four sections to the firing range, with the Khetolai sector being referred to as “Double-A.”

• The names of Dholiya are ‘BA’, Lakhi C’, and Chandhan D’.

• The ranges test various weaponry at different places.

• The Air Force had only held drills near Pokaran earlier in 2019.

2. Center approves Rs. 84,560 Crore Defense Deal: Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting on February 16. In this, a defense contract valued at Rs 84,560 crore was granted. The government asserts that this transaction was completed in accordance with the regulations pertaining to ease of doing business.

• This agreement calls for the procurement of heavyweight torpedoes, battle refueler aircraft, air defense tactical control radar, and anti-tank mines.

• For maritime surveillance, 15 new aircraft—six for the Coast Guard and nine for the Navy—built in the nation will also be acquired.

• The Air Force’s C-295 transport aircraft would be modified to create these, at an estimated cost of Rs 29 thousand crore.

• Additionally, a Tactical Control Radar System for Air Defense will be procured, facilitating the tracking of targets at low altitudes.

• A green light has also been granted for the acquisition of aircraft used for flying refueller.

• A significant portion of this agreement will go to domestic businesses operating under Self-reliant India.

III. APPOINTMENT Current Affairs 2024

3. Law and Order’s ADG is Amitabh Yas: Chief of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), Amitabh Yash, was assigned the additional responsibility of ADG Law & Order on February 16. Following Prashant Kumar’s appointment as DGP, the position became vacant as ADG Law and Order. Amitabh Yash was instrumental in the recent destruction of Vikas Dubey and Atiq Ahmed’s fort.

• Amitabh Yash has documented over 150 encounters with offenders.

• Amitabh, an IPS officer from the 1996 batch, resides in the Bihar district of Bhojpur.

• Amitabh, who was born on April 11, 1971, graduated with an MSc from IIT Kanpur.

• His inclusion as SSP in STF was made possible by the Mayawati government in 2007.

• STF teams eradicated roughly eighteen gangs while stationed in the ravines.

• Over 65 offenders were terminated in the two and a half years when STF and SSP were in place.

IV. LAUNCH & EVENT Current Affairs 16 February 2024

4. Rewari received a gift from PM Modi for Rs 9750 crore: In Rewari, Haryana, on February 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)’s foundation stone. He inaugurated and laid the cornerstone for development projects totaling over Rs 9,750 crore during this time.

• For Rs 1,650 crore, AIIMS would be built on 203 acres.

• This will include the construction of an AYUSH block, a medical college, a nursing college, and a hospital with 720 beds.

• On the Rs 5,450 crore Gurugram Metro Rail project, PM Modi also laid the cornerstone. 

• inaugurated the 240 crore rupee Experience Center Jyotisar Museum in Kurukshetra.

• The Rewari-Kathuwas rail line (27.73 km) and the Kathuwas-Narnaul rail line (24.12 km) both have foundation stones placed by PM Modi.

• Additionally, the foundation stones for the railway lines connecting Bhiwani to Dobh Bhali (42.30 km) and Manheru to Bawani Kheda (3150 km) were laid.

• 68 km of the Rohtak-Meham-Hansi railway line were dedicated to the country.

V. NATIONAL Current Affairs 16 February 2024

5. Telangana Assembly Passes Resolution For Door-to-door Caste Census: On February 16, the Telangana Assembly passed a resolution for a door-to-door caste survey throughout the state. Ponnam Prabhakar, the Telangana government’s Minister of Backward Class Welfare, brought the idea to the House, where it was approved following discussion.

• Its goal will be accomplished by putting several plans in place for the advancement of SC-ST, OBC, and other weaker groups.

• Backward classes in the domains of economics, politics, employment, and education will be established by gathering data from every segment of the state’s society.

• Scientific preparations will be made for comprehensive strategies and policies pertaining to minorities.

• The government of Bihar, which was the first state in the nation to do so, released the caste census data earlier in October 2023.

• In Bihar, Muslims make up 17.7% of the population and Hindus make up about 82%.