India-Pak tensions: Major changes announced at Airports for cargo, baggage checking; details here
New Delhi: In response to heightened security concerns, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been temporarily assigned the responsibility of overseeing the screening of cargo and check-in baggage at Indian civil airports. This expanded role, effective from May 9 to May 18, 2025, marks a significant shift from the previous arrangement, where these tasks were managed by airport operators and airlines.
According to a statement issued by the CISF, the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) approved the temporary enhancement of CISF's duties to provide additional security oversight to cargo operations and the in-line hold baggage screening system (ILHBSS).
"To reinforce security arrangements at all civil airports, CISF will now supervise the operations and personnel involved in cargo and baggage screening. The force is also authorised to conduct random checks and maintain access control to these critical zones," the statement said.
Until now, CISF had been primarily responsible for pre-boarding passenger frisking and cabin baggage checks, while airport operators and airline staff handled cargo and check-in baggage screening. With this new directive, CISF has assumed broader authority in airport security protocols across the country.
The new measures have already been implemented at all CISF-covered airports nationwide.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
