Governance Community

In conjunction with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-M), Madras, an indigenous 5G testbed will be established at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow. At a gathering in Chennai on Monday, MCTE and IIT-M inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the process. The testbed will make it easier for the Indian Army to employ 5G technology in its operations, particularly along its borders. The MoU will help to accelerate the introduction of niche technology systems, devices, and equipment, as well as the application of AI-based algorithms to improve the Armed Forces’ capabilities. It will also encourage collaboration and cooperative research as well as the exchange of ideas for new technology development. It will encourage students, faculty members, and scientists to conduct research in the field of 5G communications and military application development. The collaboration between MCTE and IIT-Madras intends to help the Indian Army achieve ‘Atmanirbharta’ in the field of communications by providing a testing facility for the tri-services and therefore acting as a catalyst for research and development. IIT Madras will provide consultation, backed up by research, for feasibility studies and prototype development on 5G enabled future communications under the terms of the MoU.

The National Data Governance Framework Policy (NDGFP), which is currently undergoing public consultation, will provide equitable access to non-personal data, according to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). According to the ministry, the draft policy focuses on enhancing the institutional framework for government data sharing, supporting privacy and security by design principles, and encouraging the use of anonymization tools. MeitY released the draught policy on May 26 and is seeking feedback till June 18. Over 250 stakeholders from industry, start-ups, academia, think tanks, international alliances, and government officials participated in a recent policy discussion. The proposal includes plans to establish the India Data Management Office (IDMO) within the Digital India Corporation, which will be responsible for drafting, managing, and modifying the policy on a regular basis. Interactions between industry players and government authorities sought clarification on the IDMO’s functioning. They requested provisions such as access to annotated datasets for AI innovation and data capacity building engagement with the private sector and social impact firms. The ministry stated that data governance will be approached from a “whole-of-government” perspective. It went on to say that in developing and implementing the policy, it will use a collaborative and participatory approach. NDGFP intends to standardise the government’s data gathering and management while catalsizing AI and data-driven research and a startup environment, according to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State (MoS) Electronics and IT.

The first “type certificate” (TC) under the Drone Rules, 2021 was given to Gurugram-based IoTechWorld Aviation, which was founded in April 2017 and is one of India’s major manufacturers, on Tuesday. On May 11, 2022, IoTech received the TC 34 days after submitting their online application on the DGCA’s DigitalSky Platform. “This is despite the fact that the Drone Rules, 2021, allow 60 days to Quality Council of India (QCI) or the Certification Bodies (CB) and 15 days to DGCA for issuing the Type Certificate (i.e 75 days in total), provided all the necessary documents and test reports are as per specifications,” the aviation ministry said in a statement. Scindia stated that his administration is pursuing the goal of “minimum government, maximum governance.” India has set a goal of becoming a drone hub by 2030, and is taking steps in that direction with the issuing of a type certificate in a record-breaking 34 days. He noted that certification for the other drone prototypes would be granted soon. The “certification scheme for unmanned aircraft systems” (CSUAS) for acquiring TC for drones was notified last August, while the “drone rules, 2021” were notified this January. “QCI has approved three globally known Certification Bodies (CBs): TQ Cert, UL India, and Bureau Veritas. According to the ministry statement, “drone manufacturers are free to approach any Certification Body for testing their drone prototype.” The Quality Council of India created the drone certification process in January 2022 after consulting with drone startups, industry, academia, and defence professionals. “An eco-system for world-class drones to be made in India and sold all over the world is anticipated to emerge as a result of the drone certification process.” There are currently 14 drone prototypes undergoing certification test. Over the following three years, the number of Type Certified prototypes could approach 100, according to the statement.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote individual letters to over 4,000 beneficiaries of the PM-CARES for Children scheme on Monday, describing it as a determined step taken by the country for a golden future for children. He elaborated on the various benefits available to children who lost their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. PM Modi also related his family’s experience with a similar tragedy almost a century ago, assuring the youngsters that the entire country is rooting for them during this difficult time. The women and child development ministry shared the letter. The PM CARES for Children scheme, according to PM Modi, is a resolute move taken by the country for these children’s bright future. “This scheme will ensure that you can dream freely and there is no lack of efforts in helping you realise your dreams,” he stated. The Prime Minister shared a few things that his mother told him as a youngster in a letter written in English, Hindi, and regional languages. About 100 years ago, he continued, his family went through a similar loss and pain. “A century ago, when the entire world was in the grip of a terrible pandemic like today, my mother lost her mother i.e. my maternal grandmother. My mother was so young that she does not even remember her mother’s face. She spent her entire life in the absence of her mother, without her affection. Imagine how she must have been brought up. Therefore, today, I can very well understand the anguish in your mind, the conflict in your heart,” PM Modi stated. According to him, a parent’s presence is usually a big support for a child. “Until now, your parents told you the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, and guided you. Today, when they are not with you, your responsibilities have increased more than before,” he stated “It is not possible for anyone to fill this void in your life, but as your family, I assure you that you are not alone in your struggles, difficulties, and in your good and bad times. The entire country is with you,” added the Prime Minister. With the letter, the benefits of the PM CARES scheme for children were included. These advantages include free schooling and loan support for higher education, Ayushman Bharat Yojana health insurance of up to 5 lakhs till the age of 18, PM CARES payment of insurance premiums, and a monthly financial aid for individual needs until the age of 18. Other benefits include a 10 lakh grant from PM CARES upon reaching the age of 23, a 20,000-per-year scholarship for students in Classes 1-12, the Karma Scholarship for skills training, the Swanath Scholarship for Technical Education, a scholarship of 2.5 lakh per year for studying in higher education institutions (IITs, IIMs), and a 50,000-per-year ex-gratia payment. The rewards under the PM CARES for Children scheme were released earlier in the day by the Prime Minister. PM Modi transferred scholarships to school-going children. Also, a passbook of PM CARES for Children and a health card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana were handed over to children. Source: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that whenever the world is confronted with a crisis, India comes forward with a solution. He referred to it as New India’s strength. Mr Modi said there is a need to follow the mantra of minimum government and maximum governance while speaking to the Indian community in Berlin, Germany, last night. He emphasised that a country improves when its citizens strive proactively to improve it. He also asserted that he is lowering government burdens and allowing citizens to guide the new India. On the first part of his trip to three European countries, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Germany yesterday. Addressing the Indian diaspora, Mr Modi stated that reform requires political will. He noted that India now has 68 thousand startups, up from 200 to 400 eight years ago. He claims that India now not only possesses a large number of unicorns, but is also transforming them into Decacorns. According to the Prime Minister, India’s GST collections for the month of April set a new high of 1.68 lakh crore rupees, demonstrating the power of one nation, one tax. He compared India’s current vocal for local campaigns to the Swadeshi Movement during the country’s independence struggle. Prime Minister Modi co-chaired a Business Round Table in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier in the day. The Prime Minister emphasised the broad-based changes that his government has implemented in his remarks. He invited business leaders to invest in India’s youth. High-ranking government officials as well as selected CEOs from both sides attended the event. Climate cooperation, supply chains, research, and development were among the topics discussed.