12.04.25

Protest Against Land Acquisition: Farmer leaders, environmentalists, religious figures, and advocates are protesting the Karnataka state government’s proposed land acquisition for the Bandura Nala water diversion project in the Mahadayi river basin.

Mahadayi River Dispute: The Mahadayi River (also known as Mandovi/Mhadei) is a point of contention between Karnataka and Goa due to water sharing. Maharashtra is also party to this dispute.

River’s Course: The river originates in Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, flows briefly through Maharashtra, then through Goa, emptying into the Arabian Sea at Panaji. Most of its length (76 km out of 111 km) is in Goa.

Kalasa-Banduri Project: This project aims to divert water from the Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha River basin in Karnataka to meet the drinking water needs of several districts. Goa opposes this project.

Objective of Project: To meet the drinking water needs of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag districts in Karnataka.

Successful Trials: DRDO successfully tested the Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from a Su-30 MKI aircraft between April 8-10, 2025, hitting a land target on an island with pinpoint accuracy.

Enhanced Standoff Capability: The ‘Gaurav’ enhances the Indian Air Force’s ability to strike targets from a safe distance (up to 100 km).

Indigenous Development: The bomb is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO, aligning with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative.

Key Characteristics:

• 1,000 kg class, air-launched.
• Range: Up to 100 km when launched from high altitudes.
• Precision-guided: Uses a hybrid navigation system (INS and GPS).

How it Works: Dropped from an aircraft, it glides to the target using aerodynamic surfaces and guidance systems, ensuring accuracy with minimal collateral damage.

Significance: This development increases the Armed Forces’ capabilities.

Industry Collaboration: Developed with support from partners like Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge, and MSMEs, highlighting collaborative efforts.

Pathway to Induction: The successful trials pave the way for inducting ‘Gaurav’ into the Indian Air Force.

Slowdown in Industrial Growth: IIP grew by only 2.9% in February 2025, the slowest in six months, significantly below the expected 4%.

Sectoral Deceleration: All key sectors experienced slower growth.

• Mining slowed sharply to 1.6% (from 8.1% in Feb 2024).
• Manufacturing grew at 2.9% (down from 4.9% a year ago).
• Electricity output growth dropped to 3.6% (from 7.6% in Feb 2024).

High Base Effect & Slowing Growth: Combination of high base effects and slower growth in mining and manufacturing led to the decline.

Use-Based Classification:

• Except for capital goods, all other goods categories saw slower output growth.
• Capital goods grew fastest at 8.2%.
• Intermediate goods grew slowest at 1.5%.
• Consumer non-durables continued to decline, although at a slower pace (-2.1%).

Worrying Trend: Output growth across all use-based sub-sectors declined compared to the previous month, indicating muted industrial output.

Analyst Views: Deceleration primarily driven by manufacturing, partially offset by higher power demand. Anticipation of accelerated growth in March due to inventory build-up before U.S. tariff announcements.

IIP Basics: Measures short-term changes in industrial production volume across mining, manufacturing, and electricity. Published by CSO, MoSPI. Base year is 2011-12.