Centre's first drone pilot training programme announced at IGRUA
Amethi (UP):; The Centre-run flight training institute Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) here on Saturday announced its expansion plan to begin drone pilot training courses, a first of its kind initiative by a government body.
The premier aircraft pilot training institute in Uttar Pradesh had recently entered into an agreement with Delhi-based private firm Drone Destination for the collaborative effort.
Noting that drones are an absolutely new and emerging area with immeasurable potential and opportunities, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said the making of drones is becoming a reality in India .
We led the software revolution, and in the drone revolution also we have the potential of becoming number one. In that direction, we have taken a small step. The first thing is even drone operations require pilots and one of the first training centers for drones is being established in IGRUA, Kharola said.
The entire regulatory framework for drones has been put in place and very soon drones would be regulated, monitored, observed, and controlled just as is being done for aircraft, he added.
He also noted that in the coming years, the number of drones flying in the Indian skies may go into hundreds of thousands and their monitoring would be a challenge.
The challenge is that we have to ensure that not only we become leaders in drone manufacturing but also in their management, Kharola said.
He also mooted the idea for IGRUA, a government-run autonomous institute, to eventually move into drone manufacturing, design, and management besides imparting training for its pilots.
Kharola, who was joined by MOCA Joint Secretary Amber Dubey, was speaking at the 36th foundation day of IGRUA.
IGRUA Director Krishnendu Gupta said drone pilot training would begin shortly at the institute's campus located at Fursatganj in Amethi.
Under the collaborative initiative, IGRUA will provide its resources while the Drone Destination will chip in with its expertise in drones to train the aspirants, Gupta told PTI.
He said the course duration would be around two-weeks and added that the institute will soon also begin a programme on English Language Proficiency (ELP).
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Deputy CM Shivakumar announces property ownership drive in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced a major property ownership drive here aimed at correcting and regularising property records, saying the government had already rectified 23 lakh Khatas and enabled citizens to download their documents online.
Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said the state government had begun converting B-Khatas into A-Khatas and would organise special Khata camps every Saturday across corporation limits from May 16 to help citizens secure their property documents.
A Khata is a legal document in Bengaluru certifying that a property complies with all local by-laws, regulations and has paid property taxes to the civic body.
“We have already corrected 23 lakh khatas and provided an opportunity for people to download them,” he said.
Shivakumar explained that the major campaign has been undertaken in Bengaluru to streamline property documentation.
The Deputy Chief Minister said between five and 10 centres would be set up in every corporation area as part of the “Khata Andolana” programme and urged citizens to participate in large numbers.
“I appeal to people to safeguard their property documents. We have created an opportunity for all citizens,” he said.
Calling it a "people-centric" initiative, Shivakumar said the government was working to ensure citizens received proper ownership documentation for their properties.
Shivakumar further claimed that the initiative had drawn national attention and said the Union government had recognised Karnataka with an award for the programme.
“Your Khata is your right. Obtain your Khata and protect yourself from fraud,” he said, while urging people to take advantage of the scheme.
