PIB COMPLILATION-APRIL, 2019

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 CONTENTS
TOPIC NO.: PAGE NO.:

GENERAL STUDIES –II

1. NATIONAL ANNUAL RURAL SANITATION SURVEY (NARSS) 2018-19......................3

2. Technical Analysis of FAME II Scheme.....................................................................................4
3. Missio Shakti.......................................................................................................................................5

GENERAL STUDIES –III

1. PSLV-C45 successfully launches EMISAT...............................................................................6

2. Advance Pricing Agreement(APA).............................................................................................7
3. Fiscal Relations across levels of Government.......................................................................8
4. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)..............................................................10

SHORT LINERS

1. Government Schemes/Objectives.............................................................................................11
2. India In/Out........................................................................................................................................11
3. Miscellaneous.....................................................................................................................................12

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GENERAL STUDIES-II
NATIONAL ANNUAL RURAL SANITATION SURVEY
(NARSS) 2018-19
Why in News

The second National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS 2018-19) was conducted by an independent
verification agency (IVA) between November 2018 and February 2019.

This was done to establish the progress over the baseline established by NARSS 2017-18 with respect to the
Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI) for the World Bank project support to the Swachh Bharat Mission
(Gramin), namely
o Reduction in prevalence of Open Defecation
o Sustaining ODF Status in villages
o Increase in population with Solid and Liquid Waste Management.

About The NARSS 2018-19

 IPE Global, in Joint Venture with Hindustan Thompson Ltd represented by Kantar Public, was selected
to undertake the NARSS after a competitive bidding process.
 The NARSS2018-19 is the largest independent sanitation survey in the country to date, with a sampling
framework that covers more than six thousand villages, 92040 households, and 5782 schools, 5803
Anganwadi centres, 1015 Public toilets and 6055 Public spaces, making it the most representative
sanitation survey in the country.
 The selection of villages, as well as households within each village is random.

Methodology Used

 The methodology and processes of the NARSShave been developed and approved by an empowered
and independent Expert Working Group comprising leading experts on statistics and sanitation which
include Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Dr N. C Saxena, World Bank, UNICEF, BMGF, Water Aid India, Ministry of
Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), among others.
 Over 5% of the total sample was back checked to ensure that the findings are credible.
 This level of rigour and neutrality by external experts makes the NARSS data the most credible data
available on sanitation in India.
 Data was collected using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) and was stored in a secured
cloud-based server

Findings of NARSS 2018-19

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ODF Survey
 An ODF-varied village is confirmed to be ODF if, during the survey, it is found that:
o All households and all public institutions surveyed found to be using safe technology for
disposal of faeces
o No visible faeces found in the village surroundings.
 2622 villages (90.7%) of all 2891 ODF-varied villages surveyed were confirmed to be ODF. The
remaining 269 villages (9.3%) were not confirmed ODF due to any of the following reasons:
o Lower than 100% access to toilets in the village.
o Presence of unhygienic/dysfunctional/unsafe toilet in any household in the village.
o Non-usage of a toilet by the household members.
o Non-access of a toilet in schools or anganwadis.
o Presence of visible faecal matter in the village.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF FAME II SCHEME

Why in News

 The NITI Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) released a report on opportunities for the
automobile sector and government under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles
II (FAME II) scheme.
 The technical report titled ‘India’s Electric Mobility Transformation: Progress to Date and Future
Opportunities’ quantifies the direct oil and carbon savings that the vehicles incentivized under FAME
II will deliver.
 RMI is an Indian and global non-profit organisation focused on driving the efficient and restorative use
of resources.

About the Report

 The report quantifies the catalytic effect that FAME II and other measures could have on the overall
Electric Vehicle(EV) market.
 According to the analysis, if FAME II and other measures – in public and private space - are successful,
India could realize EV sales penetration of 30% of private cars, 70% of commercial cars, 40% of buses
and 80% of two and three-wheelers by 2030.
 Extrapolating from the same, the lifetime cumulative oil and carbon savings of all-electric vehicles
deployed through 2030 could be many-fold larger than the direct savings from FAME II.

About FAME II

 The FAME II scheme was notified by the Union Cabinet in February 2019.
 It aims to further accelerate the government of India’scommitment to a clean mobility future, sees the
electrification of transportation as a primary focus area.
 FAME intends to catalyze the market for faster adoption of EVs to ensure durable economic growth
and global competitiveness for India’s automotive industry.

Key Highlights

 There are considerable energy and CO2 savings associated with the two, three, and four-wheeled
vehicles and buses covered by FAME II over their lifetime, as well as the potential savings associated
with greater adoption levels by 2030.
 The electric buses covered under FAME II will account for 3.8 billion vehicle kilometres travelled (e-
vkt) over their lifetime

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 In order to capture the potential opportunity in 2030, batteries must remain a key focal point as they
will continue to be the key cost driver of EVs.
 Vehicles eligible under FAME II scheme can cumulatively save 5.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent over
their lifetime worth Rs 17.2 thousand crores.
 India needs the auto industry's active participation to ease electric mobility transition. The auto and
battery industries could collaborate to enhance customer awareness, promote domestic
manufacturing, promote new business models, conduct R&D for EVs and components, consider new
business models to promote EVs
 The government should focus on a phased manufacturing plan to promote EVs, provide fiscal and non-
fiscal incentives for phased manufacturing of EVs and batteries. Different government departments can
consider a bouquet of potential policies, such as congestion pricing, ZEV credits, low
emission/exclusion zones, parking policies, etc. to drive adoption of EVs.

Conclusion

 India’s electric vehicle market is poised for growth with a blend of policies, such as FAME II, and the
automotive industry’s willingness to provide new mobility solutions to the citizens of the country.
 Such a transformation will create enormous economic, social and environmental benefits for the
citizens of India.

MISSION SHAKTI
Why in News

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the DRDO-developed anti-satellite system A-SAT
successfully destroyed a live satellite in the Low Earth Orbit.
 With this test, dubbed as Mission Shakti, India is only the fourth country after the U.S., Russia and
China to have the technology.

What are anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons?

 They are missile-based systems to attack moving satellites.

 So far the United States, China and Russia were the only ones who’ve reported the ability to shoot
down space objects from ground or airborne sources.
 There are different kinds of systems
o those that can be launched from the ground
o those vaulted from planes.

Background

 During the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union, these first came into the
forefront.
 In the Cold War/Space Race era, 1985 was the last time that the United States had used an anti-
satellite system to destroy its P-781 satellite that had instruments aboard to study solar radiation.
 Anti-satellite weapons came back into popular currency after China conducted an anti-satellite missile
test on January 11, 2007.
 The target was a Chinese weather satellite — the FY-1C – that sailed at an altitude of 865
kilometres (537 mi).
 In 2008, the United States launched ‘Operation Burnt Frost,’ the code name to intercept and destroy a
non-functioning U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite named USA-193.

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India’s Capability so far

 India has long developed the ability to intercept incoming missiles.

 In 2011, a modified Prithvi missile mimicked the trajectory of a ballistic missile with a 600-km range.
Radars at different locations swung into action, tracking the “enemy” missile, constructing its trajectory
and passing on the information in real time to the Mission Control Centre (MCC) to launch the
interceptor, an Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile.
 It had a directional warhead to go close to the adversarial missile before exploding to inflict damage on
it.

About India’s ASAT system

 The satellite was about 300 km away from earth but no details were shared regarding its ownership
and what the satellite was used for and what were the reasons for choosing that particular satellite for
the test.
 Dr V.K. Saraswat, Director-General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation stating in
2012 that India had "all the building blocks necessary" to integrate an anti-satellite weapon to
neutralise hostile satellites in low earth and polar orbits.
 However, there was never any formal announcement of such a mission.

About Low-Earth-Orbit Satellites

 These are satellites roughly at an altitude of 2,000 kilometres from the earth and that’s the region
where the majority of satellites are concentrated.
 A database from the Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-government organisation based in the
United States, says that there are at least 5 known Indian satellites in LEO: India PiSat, Resources 2,
Radar Imaging Satellites 1 and2 and SRMsat.

GENERAL STUDIES-III
PSLV-C45 SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES EMISAT
Why in News:

 India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C45) today successfully launched EMISAT and 28
international customer satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota.
o This flight marked the first mission of PSLV-QL, a new variant of PSLV with four strap-on motors.

About EMISAT

 The full form of EMISAT is Electronic Intelligence Satellite.

 It was made by ISRO and DRDO together.
 It is put in Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit.

 EMISAT is a satellite built around ISRO’s Mini Satellite-2 bus weighing about 436 kg. The satellite is
intended for electromagnetic spectrum measurement.
 The payloads carried by PS4 are
o Automatic Identification System from ISRO
o Automatic Packet Repeating System from AMSAT

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o India and Advanced Retarding Potential Analyzer for ionospheric studies from Indian Institute of
Space Science and Technology.

Functions of EMISAT

 EMISAT satellite will monitor the radar and the sensor on the border.
 This satellite will be used not only for human but for any kind of activity related to communication.
 So the satellite will measure the electromagnetic spectrum.
 This satellite will help the DRDO in conducting the Defense Research.
Facts about the PSLV

 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India.
 The first flight of the PSLV was launched on September 20, 1993, but the first successful launch was in
October 1994.
 PSLV has launched 39 consecutively successful missions by June 2017.
 During 1994-2019 periods, the vehicle has launched 47 Indian satellites, 297 satellites for
customers from abroad and 10 satellites built by students from Indian Universities.
 Besides, the vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft – Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter
Spacecraft in 2013.
 This time 28 international customer satellites, together weighing about 220 kg, are from four
countries, namely, Lithuania (2), Spain (1), Switzerland (1) and USA (24). These foreign satellites were
launched as part of commercial arrangements.
 In its next mission, PSLV-C46 will launch RISAT-2B in May 2019.

Live View of Satellite Launch

 Around 1000 peoples watched this live and the government of India is planning to make a stadium so
that people can sit there and watch the launch of any satellite live.
 It is known that in the world so far, the US Agency, NASA allows common people to see the live launch
of many satellites.

ADVANCE PRICING AGREEMENT(APA)

Why In News

 The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into 18 APAs in the month of March 2019, which
includes 03 Bilateral APAs (BAPAs).
 The BAPAs and Unilateral APAs (UAPAs) entered into during the month of March 2019 pertain to
various sectors and sub-sectors of the economy like
o anti-friction bearings
o risk management solutions platforms
o BPO, IT/ITeS, ATMs
o industrial and institutional cleaning
o hygiene products, etc.

What are APAs

 An advance pricing agreement (APA) is an ahead-of-time agreement between a taxpayer and a tax
authority on an appropriate transfer pricing methodology (TPM) for a set of transactions at issue over
a fixed period of time.

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 The sole objective of the APA is to bring tax certainty in international transactions and overcome the
issues due to transfer pricing between related

Bilateral and multilateral APAs

o They include agreements between the taxpayer and one or more foreign tax administrations
under the authority of the mutual agreement procedure (MAP) specified in income tax treaties.
o The taxpayer benefits from such agreements since they are assured that income associated
with covered transactions is not subject to double taxation by the IRS and the relevant foreign
tax authorities.
o It is Government policy to "encourage" taxpayers to seek bilateral or multilateral APAs where
competent-authority provisions exist.

Unilateral APAs

o It is possible, however, that a taxpayer may negotiate a unilateral APA involving only the taxpayer
and the Government.
o It is generally done when there is no DTAA/DTAC between the two countries or that the taxpayer
is only looking for tax certainty in one country.

India and APAs

 On March 31, 2014, India signed its first batch of five advance pricing agreements (APAs) with
multinational companies.
 The concept of Advanced Pricing Agreement (APA) was introduced in India via the Finance Act
2012.

Conclusion

 The progress of the APA scheme strengthens the Government’s resolve to fostering a non-adversarial
tax regime.
 The Indian APA programme has been appreciated nationally and internationally for being able to
address complex transfer pricing issues in a fair and transparent manner.

FISCAL RELATIONS ACROSS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

Why in News:
 The 15th
Finance Commission has held a high-level roundtable on ‘Fiscal Relations across levels of
government’.
o It was moderated by Shri N. K. Singh, Chairman of the Commission.
o The roundtable is being organised in partnership with the World Bank, OECD and ADB.

 Earlier, the Commission had held separate workshops with the OECD in April 2018 and the World
Bank in July 2018 to discuss the initial thoughts and country experiences on the issues related to
fiscal federalism and inter-governmental transfers.

Issues Discussed
 Four mains issues were discussed
o Sub-national debt
o Transfer design incentives and fiscal equalization.
o Sub-national budget and Public financial management system
o Finances of third-tier of Government.

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Sub-national debt, fiscal rules and sustainability

 One of the Terms of Reference made to this Finance Commission is to review the current level of
debt of the Union and the States and recommend a fiscal consolidation roadmap for sound fiscal
management.
 As per the amended FRBM Act, the Central Government shall take appropriate steps to ensure that:
o The general government debt does not exceed 60%.
o The Central Government debt does not exceed 40% of GDP by the end of FY 2024-25.

 The Central Government debt is estimated at 48.9 per cent as a percentage of GDP for 2018-
19. It is expected that Central Government liabilities will come down to 47.3 per cent of GDP in
2019-20.

 The outstanding liabilities of the State Governments stands at 23.4 per cent of GSDP at end-March
2017, with a range of 46.3 per cent in Punjab and 15.1 per cent in Chhattisgarh (as the RBI Study
on State Budgets).

Intergovernmental transfer design, incentives and fiscal equalization

 Addressing vertical and horizontal imbalance in the fiscal resources between Union and States is
one of the major tasks of the Commission. While designing formula-based transfers to sub-national
governments, equalization is one of the important considerations.

 The Commission’s Terms of Reference requires it to recommend performance-based incentives

to states. Some of the items in this indicative list are efforts on GST, population control, increasing
capital expenditure, implementation of flagship programs, etc.

Public Financial Management

 Reforms in PFM systems are a continuous process.

 The pace of implementation of such reforms has been slow. Possible causes may be lack of an
institutional framework to operationalize and implement these recommendations either at Union
level or State level, and others likely reasons were discussed.

Revenue generation in third-tier of government

 The discussions centred around how to make the 3rd tier self-sufficient especially now when the
GST has subsumed many taxes which earlier used to generate revenue for them.

 One of the major sources of raising revenue is property taxation by local bodies.
o Some local bodies have attempted different models to streamline and systematize property
collection within their jurisdiction. However, very few have been successful in improving revenue
collection through property taxes.

 The reforms required in this field, global practices, ways to help local governments to raise their
own revenue through the scheme of devolution, grants, and others were discussed.

Main Concerns

 What should the distribution of this 60% be between centre and states, given the current trends in
their debts?
 How to arrive at the inter-se distribution of aggregate state debt between states.
 Whether Performance-based grants should be an incentive for prospective performance or
rewards for past accomplishments and also The need for balance between equity and efficiency,
considering that the better-off States will generally score better in efficiency consideration.

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GEOSYNCHRONOUS SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (GSLV)

Why in News

 The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved ongoing GSLV
continuation programme Phase-4 consisting of five GSLV flights during the period 2021-2024.
 The GSLV Programme - Phase 4 will enable the launch of 2 tonne class of satellites for Geo-imaging,
Navigation, Data Relay Communication and Space Sciences.
 The total fund requirement is Rs. 2729.13 Crores and includes
o the cost of five GSLV vehicles
o essential facility augmentation
o Programme Management
o Launch Campaign along with the additional funds required for meeting the scope of the ongoing
GSLV Continuation Programme.

GSLV Continuation Programme was initially sanctioned in 2003, and two phases have been completed and the
third phase is in progress and expected to be completed by Q4 of 2020-21.

Background

 GSLV has enabled independent access to space for 2 tonne class of satellites to Geosynchronous
Transfer Orbit (GTO).
 One of the very significant outcomes of the GSLV Continuation Programme is the mastering of the
highly complex cryogenic propulsion technology, which is an essential technological capability to
launch communication satellites to GTO.
 This has also paved the way for the development of a high thrust Cryogenic engine & stage for the next
generation launch vehicle i.e. GSLV Mk-lll.
 With the recent successful launch of GSLV-F11 on 19th December 2018, GSLV has successfully orbited
10 national satellites.
 GSLV with the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has established itself as a reliable launch vehicle for
communication, navigation and meteorological satellites and also to undertake future interplanetary
missions.

Implementation Strategy and targets and benefits

 The GSLV Continuation Programme - Phase 4 will meet the demand for the launch of satellites at a
frequency up to two launches per year, with maximal participation by the Indian industry.
 The GSLV Continuation Programme - Phase 4 will meet the launch requirement of satellites for
providing critical Satellite Navigation Services, Data Relay Communication for supporting the Indian
Human spaceflight programme and the next interplanetary mission to Mars.
 This will also ensure the continuity of production in the Indian industry.

Major impact

 The operationalization of GSLV has made the country self-reliant in the launching capability of 2 tonne
class of satellites for communication & meteorological satellites.
 The GSLV Continuation Programme will sustain & strengthen the capability and self-reliance in the
launching of similar satellites for national requirements including next-generation navigation
satellites, data relay communication satellites and interplanetary missions.

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GOVT SCHEMES/INITIATIVES/STEPS
Suspension of LoC Trade between J&K and PoJK

o MHA has issued orders to suspend the LoC trade in Jammu & Kashmir.
 This action has been taken as the Government of India has been receiving reports that the Cross LoC
trade routes are being misused by the Pakistan based elements for funnelling illegal weapons,
narcotics and fake currency etc.

INDIA IN/OUT
Performance-Based Grants
The NITI Aayog put forth suggestions for the 15th Finance Commission and made a case for an award
of Performance-Based Grants for States /Sectors.

Matters Discussed

o It has been observed that richer states grew faster than poorer states, Keeping that in mind the NITI
Aayog made suggestions to the Commission on the transfer of resources to States by the Centre.
o The Aayog also listed out certain possible indicators for the consideration of the Commission, its made
recommendations on Innovation and Transformation funds as well as on Medium Term Expenditure
Framework.
o The NITI Aayog was in favour of recommending to the 15th Finance Commission to consider Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) performance for allocating a small percentage of funds to different states.
o But unfortunately, if the government uses SDG performance criteria for funds devolution to the states,
“then it is the more backward states or populated states that will lose some of their allocations and
that would be politically harmful.
o The commission was constituted late last year under the chairmanship of N K Singh Kumar also stressed that
fiscal irresponsibility is bad but “fiscal fetish” is also not good and a balance must be maintained.

What will be its implications

o Centrally Sponsored Schemes – which have now been made Co-terminus with the award period of the
respective Finance Commission, conditionality/lack-of-conditionality of the horizontal, vertically and
sector-specific, and striking balance between performance grants and basic grants.
o While the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act did have a role to play in discouraging short-term
populist measures and promoted fiscal discipline, there was also no need to be concerned about borrowing
that finances long term capital expenditure.

AUSINDEX-19

 It is a bilateral maritime exercise is aimed to strengthen mutual cooperation and enhance

interoperability between the Royal Australia Navy (RAN) and Indian Navy (IN).
 AUSINDEX-19 is going to take place in Visakhapatnam – ‘the City of Destiny’.
o 2014: Framework for Security Cooperation (FSC) was announced by the Australian and
Indian Prime Ministers in 2014.
o 2015: 1st edition was held at Visakhapatnam.
o 2017: Australia hosted the second edition.
 Australia and India have a positive defence relationship, underpinned by the 2006 Memorandum of
Defence Cooperation and the 2009 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation.
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 Overall, the exercise underscores India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)

BOLD KURUKSHETRA 2019

The 12th edition of joint military exercise between India and Singapore, BOLD KURUKSHETRA 2019was held at
Babina Military Station.

 The four-day long joint training focused on developing interoperability and conduct of joint tactical
operations in mechanised warfare.Babina is a cantonment town in Jhansi district in the state of Uttar
Pradesh, India.

SEA VIGIL

 The maiden national level Coastal Defence Exercise SEA VIGIL was conducted by Indian Navy from 22-
23 Jan 19.
 The exercise witnessed the simultaneous activation of the coastal security apparatus across the
country involving maritime stakeholders at the Centre and all the 13 Coastal States and Union
Territories.
 The feedback from the exercise and the deliberations would be presented at the next meeting of the
National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS).

IN – VPN BILAT EX

 Indian Navy undertook the second edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy
and Vietnam Peoples’ Navy at/ off CamRanh Bay, Vietnam.
 The Indian Navy-Vietnam Peoples’ Navy Bilateral Exercise is a significant step in further strengthening
mutual confidence and interoperability as well as sharing best practices between the Indian and the
Vietnam Peoples’ Navies.

MISCELLANEOUS
'Nirbhay' Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) today successfully test fired indigenously designed &
developed Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile “Nirbhay” from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur
Odisha.

o The missile demonstrated its sea-skimming capability to cruise at very low altitudes.
o The missile can be launched from multiple platforms and is capable of carrying conventional and
nuclear warheads.
o It is also able to pick out a target and attack it among multiple targets.
o the missile is capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 100 m to 4 km above the ground and
can also fly at low altitudes (like low tree level) to avoid detection by enemy radar.
o It will eventually supplement the role played by Brahmos missile for the Indian Armed Forced by
delivering warheads farther than the 450 km range of Brahmos.

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LCU L-56

Mk IV LCU class vessels are follow on the class of Mk. III LCU operated by the Indian Navy. The Mk IV LCU can
be deployed for maritime roles that require amphibious capabilities.

 Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers has built it.

 Recently it was inducted by Indian Navy.

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), the largest producer of iron ore in the country, has once
again surpassed the 30 million tonnes figure of production and sales for the year 2018-19 for the 3rd year
consecutively.

NMDC Limited, previously known as National Mineral Development Corporation, is an Indian state-
controlled mineral producer.

o It is 72.43% owned by the Government of India, under the administrative control of the Ministry of
Steel.
o It is involved in the exploration of iron ore, copper, rock phosphate, limestone, dolomite, gypsum,
bentonite, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite etc.
o It is India's largest iron ore producer and exporter producing more than 35 million tons of iron ore
from 3 fully mechanized mines in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
o It also operates the only mechanized diamond mine in the country at Panna in Madhya Pradesh.

BATTLE OF KANGLA TONGBI

Why in NEWS

 The Platinum Jubilee of the Battle of KanglaTongbi War was commemorated on 07 Apr 2019 by Army
Ordnance Corps at KanglaTongbi War Memorial near Imphal honouring the valiant brave hearts of
Ordnance Personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot who made their supreme sacrifice in the line of
duty during the battle of World War-II on the night of 6/ 7 April 1944.

About the Battle

 It is regarded as one of the fiercest battles of World War II.

 It was fought by Ordnance personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot (AOD) on the night of 6/7 April
1944 against Japanese forces.
o Japanese forces had planned a three-pronged offensive to capture Imphal and the surrounding
areas.
o In their attempt to extend their line of communication to Imphal, the 33rd Japanese Division cut
in behind the 17th Indian Division at Tiddim (Myanmar) and establishing themselves firmly on
the main Kohima – Manipur highway, started advancing towards KanglaTongbi.
 However, the combatant role of AOD personnel shook the enemy and forced the Japanese to withdraw.

Significance

 The KanglaTongbi War Memorial is mute testimony to this battle and the unflinching devotion to duty
of the Ordnance personnel of 221 AOD, 19 of whom made the supreme sacrifice.
 It conveys to the world at large that Ordnance personnel, apart from being professional logisticians,
are second to none in combat, being equally proficient soldiers, should the occasion demand.

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