On Wednesday, the Gujarat government had unveiled a new policy for state departments and organisations in order to promote the utilization of drones for operations and delivery of services to beneficiaries. It has been mentioned in it that it would seek to create 25,000 employment opportunities and would even attract investment for development, operation and maintenance of drone services ecosystems in the state. CM Bhupendra Patel at a function in the state capital Gandhinagar has unveiled the 'Drone Promotion and Usage Policy.'

HIGHLIGHTS
CM Bhupendra Patel has unveiled drone promotion and usage policy at a function
Policy will provide 25,000 employment opportunities and would attract investment
A committee of eight senior secretaries will be formed for implementing the policy

As per the press release, the policy aims to create a 'vibrant drone ecosystem which would include manufacturing and innovation, by promoting the utilization of drones for service delivery' and create varied public services 'more effective, popular, efficient and quicker with the utilization of advanced technology.'

As per the policy, in the next six months, different state government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), boards and organisations would formulate schemes and programmes in order to promote the usage of drones in their individual domains.

For its implementation, a committee of eight senior secretaries would be formed under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department. The committee would meet accordingly and monitor the initiatives taken by various departments and PSUs for drone promotion and usage.

As per the release, “private and public investments in research and development-innovation-manufacturing-testing-training and safety regulation would be inspired for widespread usage of drones within the state through innovative ways.”

It would even promote setting up of training infrastructure to boost availability of qualified manpower in the state and incentivise startups and alternative drone manufacturing units. The policy had also aimed towards mitigating risks and meeting safety challenges by specifying prohibited (no-fly zone), restricted and open areas by deployment of 'drone traffic police.'

The Agriculture Department would also be able to use it for spraying pesticides, fertilisers, sowing of seeds, and observing the soil quality. Within the industries and mining department, it would be used for surveillance of mining areas and mineral blocks and leases.

For the health and family welfare department, drones would be deployed for delivery of medical supplies and blood, whereas for the forest department the remotely controlled unmanned aircraft would be used for lion census and to keep a track on the wildlife, among alternative activities.

Also Read: Drones Used for Transportation of Covid19 Vaccines in Remote Villages, Maharashtra