Governance Community

A significant legislative shift is underway as Union Minister Amit Shah introduced the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in the Lok Sabha. This transformative bill seeks to replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC) and notably abolishes the contentious Section 124A, commonly known as the sedition clause. Instead, the new bill introduces Section 150, redefining the approach towards actions that endanger India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity. Section 124A, the sedition provision in the IPC, criminalizes efforts to foster hatred or disaffection towards the lawful government using words, signs, or other means. The revamped Section 150 addresses acts that intentionally incite secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, or separatist sentiments. It also encompasses electronic communication and financial involvement, underscoring the gravity of such actions. Under Section 151 of the bill, engagement in warfare against a foreign state at peace with India, or abetting such warfare, is penalized with imprisonment for life or a term up to seven years, accompanied by fines. Amit Shah’s legislative agenda encompasses not only the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita but also replacements for the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he emphasized that these reforms mark a departure from laws established during British colonial rule, ushering in a new era for the country’s criminal justice system. The comprehensive bills address critical issues, including mob lynching through a new penal code, stringent measures against child rape, expedited prosecution of civil servants, and the ability to try fugitives like Dawood Ibrahim in absentia. As the bills proceed, they will undergo thorough examination by a Parliamentary panel, signifying a significant stride towards modernizing India’s legal framework.

India is set to introduce the BRICS Startup Forum in 2023, aiming to foster cooperation and exchange of successful strategies among startups, investors, mentors, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Textiles, revealed this during a virtual address at the “7th BRICS Industry Ministers’ meeting,” which was hosted by South Africa. Goyal underscored the profound changes witnessed in India and highlighted the advancements attributed to the Startup India initiative. He emphasized the initiative’s role in nurturing nearly 100,000 startups in the nation. Goyal delved into the concept of “Transforming Production Systems,” emphasizing India’s potential to support fellow BRICS nations and the global community at large. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (‘The World Is One Family’), reflecting the country’s dedication to being a responsible global participant, advocating for inclusivity, tolerance, and interconnectedness. The Industry Ministers from the other BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa) also participated in the meeting, leading to the adoption of a Joint Declaration. The ministers jointly stressed the significance of digitalization, industrialization, innovation, inclusivity, and investment within the BRICS alliance. Recognizing the escalating importance of Industry 4.0 and emerging technologies, the declaration acknowledged their role in driving the digital overhaul across various economic sectors. The BRICS members concurred on the necessity of nurturing human resources through upskilling and reskilling initiatives. The ministers voiced their dedication to strengthening industrial collaboration, expediting economic resurgence, and cultivating a fair, vibrant, and unbiased environment conducive to growth. Moreover, the ministers recognized the pivotal role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and advocated for their integration and diversification into global industrial, supply, and value chains. A notable emphasis was placed on creating market avenues within BRICS countries to promote comprehensive growth for projects led by women, youth, and marginalized communities.

A significant digital transformation is underway in the cooperative sector, as the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) office in Pune prepares to launch its digital portal. Scheduled to be inaugurated by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, Amit Shah, the portal aims to promote ease of doing business in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samridhi’. This initiative by the Ministry of Cooperation marks a major step in strengthening the cooperative movement across the country. The objectives of computerizing the CRCS office are multifaceted, including paperless applications and processing, automatic compliance with the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act (MSCS Act) and Rules through software, and enhanced ease of doing business. The new portal will facilitate transparent processing, improved analytics through MIS (Management Information Systems), and efficient communication. The platform will encompass various modules such as registration, amendment of bye-laws, annual return filing, audits, inspections, inquiries, arbitrations, elections, and more. It will also incorporate the latest amendments to the MSCS Act, 2002, streamlining the entire process through electronic workflows. User registration will be OTP-based, ensuring compliance checks, and video conferencing for hearings will be available. The project aims to register new MSCS entities efficiently, fostering a seamless functioning process. With over 1,550 multi-state cooperative societies registered in the country, the CRCS plays a crucial role in administering the MSCS Act, 2002. The digital transformation will ease activities related to multi-state cooperatives and establish a robust digital ecosystem, while also encouraging youth participation through a ‘hackathon’ competition. The ministry has actively sought feedback from National Cooperative Societies and Multi-State Cooperative Societies to enhance the new portal and create a more inclusive and tech-driven cooperative sector.

India Post embraces the spirit of patriotism and national pride as it announces its wholehearted support for the Government’s “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign. From August 13 to 15, the India Post’s 1.6 lakh post offices across the country will sell the Indian flag, making it easily accessible to citizens. Whether you prefer to walk into a nearby post office or use the convenient ePostOffice facility, purchasing the tricolor has never been easier. But the engagement doesn’t stop at flag sales. The Post Office aims to foster a sense of unity and awareness among citizens through a series of Jan Bhagidari events. By connecting people to this significant initiative of New India, they encourage active participation from all corners of the nation. Taking inspiration from the campaign, citizens are invited to capture their love for the flag by clicking selfies with the national emblem hoisted at their homes and workplaces. These moments of national pride can be shared on social media with designated hashtags, including #IndiaPost4Tiranga, #HarGharTiranga, and #HarDilTiranga. In the pursuit of instilling a deeper sense of patriotism and honoring the symbol of unity and freedom, India Post’s efforts in supporting “Har Ghar Tiranga” prove instrumental in strengthening the spirit of love and togetherness for the nation.

KisanKonnect, an integrated ‘farm-to-fork’ company, has introduced India’s first digital farmers market called ‘Aapka Apna Farmers Market’ through its app. The initiative, inaugurated by wellness advocate Shilpa Shetty Kundra, links 5,000 farmers from Maharashtra directly to consumers in Mumbai and Pune. By eliminating intermediaries, KisanKonnect reduces wastage and ensures fair prices for both farmers and urban consumers. The company’s proprietary technology, Kisan-Trace, offers complete information about the farm, farming practices, and growing location of the vegetables to consumers even before purchase, promoting transparency and trust. Founded three years ago, KisanKonnect has established an advanced tech-enabled supply chain, serving more than three lakh urban consumers through its app and farm stores. The company follows ‘Responsible Agriculture Practices,’ prioritizing soil improvement, using biofertilizers instead of chemicals, and providing farmers with scientific Agronomy inputs for better crop productivity. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty-Kundra has recently invested in the start-up, further endorsing its vision. Nidhi Nirmal, Co-founder, and Chief Business Officer of KisanKonnect, highlighted the importance of consumers knowing the source of their food for confidence in its quality. The partnership between KisanKonnect and urban consumers in Mumbai and Pune aims to connect conscious consumers with farmers who practice responsible farming methods, ensuring the delivery of fresh produce directly from the farm to their homes. KisanKonnect’s farm-fresh vegetables and fruits can be accessed through their website and mobile app (KisanKonnect Farm Fresh Produce). The company has garnered trust and preference from customers who appreciate its commitment to quality and sustainable agriculture practices.  

The Government of Odisha has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of California, Berkeley, to foster collaboration in various domains. The focus of this partnership includes research, impact assessment of schemes, entrepreneurship, and exchange of academic publications. Both entities will work together on research projects, as well as organize joint conferences and workshops. A significant aspect of this collaboration is the emphasis on conducting joint training workshops in cutting-edge fields, aiming to train around 1,000 researchers. The key areas of focus within emerging technologies such as AI, ML, and generative AI will have a transformative impact on public service delivery mechanisms within the governance system. Through this MoU, the Government of Odisha will have the opportunity to leverage UC Berkeley’s alumni network for further collaboration on various initiatives. The initial phase of cooperation will involve the launch of pilot projects in crucial sectors like Disaster Management and Climate Control, Healthcare, Fintech, and Agriculture. Tusharkanti Behera, Minister of State for E & IT, Sports & YS, and Home in Odisha, expressed his optimism about the numerous opportunities for cooperation, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and research in the coming year. He believes this partnership will foster goodwill and yield substantial benefits for both societies involved.

ServiceNow has announced the launch of its India Innovation Centre, a digital incubation hub aimed at empowering Indian enterprises to redefine their work processes with the help of advanced technologies like GenAI, hyperautomation, and low-code apps. Located in Knowledge City, Hyderabad, the innovation center provides purpose-built rooms where companies can develop custom digital blueprints to scale their business strategies. The facility will also host on-demand training sessions in collaboration with academia, customers, and partners to enhance the digital skills of Indian citizens. The opening ceremony was attended by Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of IT, Government of Telangana, who commended ServiceNow’s commitment to augmenting Indian enterprises and Hyderabad’s reputation as a technology hub. Kamolika Gupta Peres, Vice President & Managing Director of ServiceNow Indian Sub-Continent, highlighted the significance of the Innovation Centre in facilitating direct conversations between customers and ServiceNow engineers. The Hyderabad-based Innovation Centre is the company’s largest development center outside the USA, contributing significantly to ServiceNow’s global product development cycle. Indian enterprises have increasingly embraced ServiceNow solutions to address productivity challenges and establish robust digital businesses. The company serves leading technology providers, top banks, and has witnessed rapid growth in the public sector since the launch of its local data centers in 2022. With over 15 percent of its global workforce based in India, ServiceNow prioritizes investing in the country’s broader ecosystem to equip people with digital skills. Sumeet Mathur, Vice President & Managing Director of ServiceNow India Technology & Business Centre, emphasized that the new innovation center will act as a collaborative briefing center, enabling customers to explore the value that ServiceNow can bring to their organizations. With Hyderabad serving as ServiceNow’s largest product development site, the center presents an opportunity for developers to directly engage with end-users, leading to greater efficiency and innovation. Additionally, ServiceNow’s RiseUp program has partnered with ten academic and government institutions in India, committing to train over 5,500 students in digital skills. The company plans to expand its educational partnerships and further enhance its training initiatives in the country.

India’s third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, according to the predetermined launch schedule. This mission aims to establish India as the fourth country to achieve a spacecraft landing on the moon, showcasing the nation’s capability for a safe and gentle touchdown on the lunar surface. LVM3 M4/Chandrayaan-3 Mission:LVM3 M4 vehicle🚀 successfully launched Chandrayaan-3🛰️ into orbit. — ISRO (@isro) July 14, 2023 The GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle was employed to launch the spacecraft. It is estimated that the journey from Earth to the moon will take approximately a month, with the anticipated landing date set for August 23. Following the landing, the spacecraft will operate for one lunar day, equivalent to about 14 Earth days. Chandrayaan-3 serves as the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) subsequent endeavor following the challenges encountered during the soft landing phase of the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019.