India will launch two satellites, GSAT 15 and GSAT 16, to augment transponder capacity and make contingency arrangements to support services like VSAT, television, strategic and emergency communications.
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the decision to develop and launch GSAT-15 and GSAT-16 satellite at a cost of Rs859.5 crore and Rs865.5 crore respectively.
GSAT-15 is part of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s efforts towards in-orbit spare capacity to meet contingency and to protect the services of existing users, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Friday.
“The satellite will provide required redundant capacity, will augment capacity in the Ku band, and shall provide in-orbit redundant requirement of safety of life operations benefitting civil aviation services in the country,” he said.
GSAT-16 will meet contingency requirements, protect services of existing users and will augment and support existing telecommunication, television, VSAT and other satellite-based services in the country. The GSAT-15 is expected to be built within the next 18 months, while GSAT-16 is likely to be built in the next 24 months. The GSAT-16 is expected to replace INSAT-3E which will reach end of its life in mid-2015.
Privileges to Nalanda University approved
Continuing its efforts to woo the Janata Dal(U), the Government has allowed certain privileges and immunity to employees of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s pet project Nalanda University to ensure its efficient functioning besides empowering it to hire talent from across the world.
A proposal of signing of a headquarters agreement between the Ministry of External Affairs and Nalanda University was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. It would allow the University to obtain talent from across the Globe, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said.
The agreement with the university, which is a non-state, non-profit, secular, self-governing international Institution, would allow the host country to take necessary steps to protect the university premises against any intrusion or damage and facilitate its work.
It would allow the university, its assets, its income and other property be exempted from all direct taxes, customs duties and prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports for articles imported/exported for its official use. It also exempts the Vice-Chancellor and academic staff of the University from taxation in respect of their salaries, honoraria, allowances and other emoluments.
The agreement also includes the right to get the appropriate visa, the freedom to maintain movable and immovable property while in the employment of the university in the host country, and the right to import free of customs duties, taxes and other levies.
