Dedicated Satellite Bandwidth for Border Surveillance for various Indian paramilitary forces

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
06-March, 2018 16:29 IST
Dedicated Satellite Bandwidth for Border Surveillance

There is a proposal for dedicated bandwidth on 5 different beams for various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). In this regard, compatible sets are being designed by Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL), Dehradun and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a Task Force under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Border Management) with members from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Border Security Force (BSF) to identify areas for application of Space Technology based tools for effective border management and surveillance. The report of the Task Force has been submitted to Secretary (Space) and Chairman, ISRO, on 8.9.2017.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.



****

 

[Hindustani78]

India builds the cheapest satellites but has the most expensive bandwidth, a government official said on Tuesday, blaming turf wars between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Telecom (DoT) for delays in taking connectivity to far-flung areas.

DoT’s special secretary N. Sivasailam also flagged issues of costs and said the ISRO should do more in order to keep the charges on par with global experience.

Mr. Sivasailam said more transponders were required on satellites.

According to him, there is a “problem of domains” between the DoT and the ISRO that has impacted the roll-out of connectivity in far-flung areas for 20 years.

“The problem is of domains. We (DoT) don’t want to leave our domain. ISRO doesn’t want to leave its domain. It is a domain-related problem...I do not see people coming together and negotiating this aspect out,” he said.

‘It’s hurting business’

Admitting that there is “politics” which “makes things difficult”, Mr. Sivasailam pitched for both the agencies getting over the problems for the benefit of all.

“It is time it stopped because it is hurting business development and ultimately people are not getting (benefited),” he said, speaking at the annual FICCI Frames.

On the critical issue of costs, he said it will cost around ₹150 to serve one user with the current cost structure in the country whereas in the U.S., it costs $1 or ₹65.

“If the U.S. is getting it for USD 1 for the same bandwidth for the life of the satellite, I should be getting it at the same rate. There is no reason why it should not happen in India. That is my refrain,” he said.

Conceding that ISRO helps take satellite connectivity to 5,240 far-flung locations in the country, including 4,300 in the Northeast, Mr. Sivasailam said the cost of the satellite, bandwidth and spectrum makes “operations unviable.”

“If you have the volume of business, we should be able to provide at the rates internationally available and that is a matter of some concern for us. We have been working on it but not necessarily successful on this,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
07-March, 2018 19:20 IST

Recommendations on Stressed Assets in Telecom Sector


Two key measures in telecom sector to facilitate investments, consolidation in the sector and enhancing ease of doing business has been approved. These include restructuring the deferred payment liabilities of spectrum auction of telecom service providers and revising the limit of the cap for spectrum holding for telecom service providers.



Details:

1. Restructuring of Deferred Payment Liabilities of telecom Service providers for spectrum

By giving one-time opportunity to opt for higher number of instalment (max. 16 instalment) apart from currently permitted 10 instalments. The increased instalment is based upon the principle that the Net Present Value (NPV) of the Payment Due is protected as per respective notice inviting application for auction of spectrum from 2012. The total amount received will be higher by Rs. 74446.01 crore till 2034-35.

1. Revision of limits of cap for spectrum holding

Based upon the recommendations of TRAI and Telecom Commission, Also approved the revision of limits of cap for spectrum holding as follows:-

• The overall spectrum cap is revised from the current limit of 25% to 35%.
• The current intra-band cap is removed. Instead, there is a cap of 50% on the combined spectrum holding in the sub-1 GHz bands (700 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands).
• There will be no cap for individual or combined spectrum holding in above 1 GHz band.
• The revised spectrum caps limits may be revisited after Final Acts of World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) 2019.

TRAI had recommended revision in the existing limits of cap for spectrum holding taking into consideration the technological advancement, efficient use of spectrum, measures to facilitate consolidation etc.



Impact:



With the restructuring of the deferred payment liability, the cash flow for the telecom service providers will increase in the immediate timeframe providing them some relief. Revising the limit for the spectrum cap holding will facilitate consolidation of telecom licensees and may encourage the participation in the future auction.

***

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Tourism
07-March, 2018 16:19 IST
Over Rs. 1300 crore sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan & PRASHAD schemes for development and promotion of tourism in North-Eastern states: Tourism Minister

The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs. 1267.49 crore under Swadesh Darshan and Rs. 33.98 crore under PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes respectively in North-Eastern states till date. The details of the projects sanctioned for the development of North-Eastern States under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes of this Ministry are given below.

For the promotion of tourism in North- Eastern States, Ministry of Tourism undertakes various activities such as Organisation of Annual International Tourism Mart, releasing TV campaigns on Doordarshan to promote North-East as an attractive tourist destination, promotion of North-East in SATTE and producing various promotional collaterals focusing on the North-eastern destinations etc.

For the development and promotion of tourism, Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations including the North-Eastern States under its various scheme guidelines for tourism projects identified by them subject to submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), their adherence to relevant scheme guidelines, availability of funds and liquidation of pending utilization certificates against the funds released earlier.




Details of projects sanctioned in North Eastern States under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme are as below:

(Rs. in crore)

Sl.No.
State
Year of Sanction
Theme
Name of Project
Amount Sanctioned

1.
Arunachal Pradesh
2014-15
North East Circuit
Development of Mega Circuit at Bhalukpong-Bomdila&Tawang
49.77

2.
Manipur
2015-16
North- East Circuit
Development of Tourist Circuit in:Imphal-Moirang- Khongjom-Moreh
89.66

3.
Sikkim
North-East Circuit
Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) – Rorathang-Aritar-Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang-Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong-Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang-Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer-Mangan- Gangtok-TuminLingee-Singtam (exit)
98.05

4.
Nagaland
Tribal Circuit
Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima-Wokha, Nagaland
97.36

5.
Mizoram
North East Circuit
Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism under SwadeshDarshan – North East Circuit at Thenzawl& South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek
94.91

6.
Assam
Wildlife Circuit
Development of Manas – Probitora – Nameri – Kaziranga – Dibru – Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit in Assam.
95.67

7.
Arunachal Pradesh
North East Circuit
Integrated Development of New Adventure Tourism
97.14

8.
Tripura
North East Circuit
Development of North East Circuit: Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur - Tirthamukh - Mandirghat – Dumboor- NarikelKunja - Gandachara – Ambassa
99.59

9.
Meghalaya
2016-17
North East circuit
Development of Umiam Lake view-U LumSohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang orchid lake resort
99.13

10.
Manipur
Spiritual circuit
Development of Spiritual Circuit - Shri Govindajee Temple – Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple- Shri Gopinath Temple- Shri Bungshibodon Temple – Shri Kaina Temple
53.80

11.
Sikkim
North East circuit
Developmentof Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam – Maka-Temi-BermoikTokel-Phongia-Namchi –Jorthang-Okharey-Sombaria-Daramdin-Jorethang-Melli (Exit)
95.32

12.
Nagaland
Tribal circuit
Development of Tribal Circuit Mokokchung- Tuensang-Mon
99.67

13.
Mizoram
Eco-circuit
Development of Eco-Adventure CircuitAizawl - Rawpuichhip– Khawhphawp – Lengpui – Durtlang – Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee – Chitelui - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield – Hmuifang
99.07

14.
Assam
Heritage circuit
Development of Tezpur-Majuli-Sibsagar
98.35

Total
1267.49



Detail of project sanctioned in North Eastern States under the PRASHAD Scheme is as below:



(Rs. in crore)

Sl. No.
Year of sanction
Name of the Project
Amt. Sanctioned

1
2015-16
Development of Kamakhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati
33.98




Total
33.98



This information was given by Shri K. J. Alphons, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.



*****

 

[Kinetic]

@DESERT FIGHTER @Areesh @AZADPAKISTAN2009 @Windjammer @Maarkhoor @snow lake @django @Dalit

More surgical strike on the offering...

 

[Areesh]

@DESERT FIGHTER @Areesh @AZADPAKISTAN2009 @Windjammer @Maarkhoor @snow lake @django @Dalit

More surgical strike on the offering...

 

[Hindustani78]

The Cabinet Secretary, Shri P.K. Sinha addressing the meeting to review the progress of transformation of Aspirational Districts, in New Delhi on March 08, 2018.

The CEO, NITI Aayog, Shri Amitabh Kant addressing the meeting to review the progress of transformation of Aspirational Districts, in New Delhi on March 08, 2018. The Cabinet Secretary, Shri P.K. Sinha and the Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Amarjeet Sinha are also seen.

The Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Amarjeet Sinha addressing the meeting to review the progress of transformation of Aspirational Districts, in New Delhi on March 08, 2018. The Cabinet Secretary, Shri P.K. Sinha is also seen.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh at a workshop , in New Delhi on March 08, 2018. The Secretary, DoPT, Shri C. Chandramouli, the Director General, Doordarshan, Smt. Supriya Sahu and the Renowned Artist (Classical Dance), Rama Vaidyanathan are also seen.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh addressing at a workshop in New Delhi on March 08, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

NITI Aayog
08-March, 2018 18:39 IST
Cabinet Secretary reviews progress of the transformation of 115 Aspirational Districts

Cabinet Secretary P.K.Sinha chaired today a meeting to review the progress of the transformation of 115 Aspirational Districts. The meeting was attended by the Prabhari Officers, the officer in-charge coordinating the exercise for transformation of 115 Aspirational Districts along with the Secretaries and representatives from 12 Union ministries.

In his remarks, Cabinet Secretary called upon the Prabhari Officers to be the catalysts of change for all round development of the Aspirational Districts. He underlined the need to come out with innovative ways to address the issues in these districts. The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that NITI Aayog will be undertaking overall co-ordination of the exercise and that there is need to set up an institutional mechanism for oversight and faster implementation of schemes in the Aspirational Districts.

CEO NITI Aayog outlined the priorities, challenges and the road ahead for the aspirational districts. He urged the officials to work in close coo-ordination with the state Government and evolve mechanisms for effective implementation of Government programs in a time bound manner.

Secretary Health, Preeti Sudan said that the ministry will share health indicators and HMIS data so that the progress of health and nutrition related schemes in the identified districts can be monitored properly. She underlined the importance of convergence of the the efforts of ASHA, ANM an d Anganwadi workers.

Secretary, Rural Development, Amarjeet Sinha said the social capital can make a remarkable difference given the fact that 8603 Gram Panchayats are covered in the Aspirational Districts. He underlined the need to expand the Self Help Groups in these districts for a better outcome.

Secretary School education, Anil Swaroop, Secretary Skill Development, Dr.K.P.Krishnan, Secretary Tribal Affairs, Secretary Power Along with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Agriculture, Water Resources, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Women and Child Development, Department of Financial Services addressed the gathering.





*****

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Governor of Tripura, Shri Tathagata Roy, on his arrival, at Agartala on March 09, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
21-March, 2018 20:39 IST
Cabinet allows M/s ITI Limited to bring a Further Public Offer for fresh equity shares to achieve 25% Minimum Public Shareholding requirement of Securities and Exchange Board of India, raise working capital for new projects and to reduce its debt obligations

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval forthe following proposal of Department of Telecommunication to allow M/s ITI Limited to:

1. Offer 18 crore fresh equity shares to General Public through a prospectus based Further Public Offer (FPO) in the domestic market as per SEBI Rules and Regulations to raise working capital for new projects, reduce its debt obligations and to meet SEBI’s requirement of minimum 25 % public shareholding.
2. Keep a reservation of up to 5% of the offer over and above the fresh shares being offered in FPO for allotment to employees of ITI in accordance with DPE guidelines and ICDR Regulation 42.
3. Offer discount of up to five per cent to retail investors as well as employees in accordance with ICDR Regulation 29.
4. Select and appoint Advisor(s) to advise the Company and assist in the proposed transactions
5. Appoint Merchant Bankers for Book building process and follow the procedures as per SEBI rules and Regulations in consultation with Merchant Bankers.

Number of Beneficiaries:

The Further Public offer will provide the much needed working capital to the Company and help it to timely execute the orders that it has in hand and improve its margins. This, in turn, will help in protecting the current employment and generating more job opportunities in the company particularly in the field of new telecom technologies.



Implementation Strategy and Targets:

M/s ITI Limited shall offer requisite number of fresh equity shares to General public through Further Public Offer in the domestic market as per SEBI Rules and Regulations to meet for SEBI’s minimum public shareholding requirement.

Major Impact:

M/s ITI Limited will be able to fulfil SEBI’s Minimum Public Shareholding requirement and improve its working capital.

Background:

M/s ITI Limited is a listed Schedule “A” Central Public Sector Enterprise, under the administrative control of Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunication. The Company is a supplier for the Defence communication and networking needs and a major supplier of encryption products to Indian Army. The major customers are BSNL, MTNL, Defence, Paramilitary forces and State Governments. ITI has six manufacturing units at Bangalore (Karnataka), Raebareli, Naini and Mankapur (all in UP), Palakkad (Kerala) and Srinagar (J & K).

The issued and subscribed equity capital of the Company as on 31.12.2017 is Rs 760 Crore (76 Crores of equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each) out which 92.59% equity i.e. 70,36,87500 shares are held by Government of India.



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[fitpOsitive]

Scrambled channel.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
28-March, 2018 15:24 IST
Leakage of Examination Papers

Centralised data with regard to the incidents of paper leaks associated with various Government examinations is not maintained. However, there have been some incidents of reported leakage of question papers in recruitment examinations which have attended by cancellation of said examination and re-conduct thereof. To avoid any untoward incident in the conduct of recruitment examinations, the Government Recruitment Agencies have taken various steps including the following:

1. Conduct of examinations on Computer based mode for securing the examination paper and avoiding incidents of paper leakage.
2. Deployment of low powered jammers in the examination venues to block CDMA, GSM, 3G, 4G, Wi-fi and Bluetooth devices.
3. CERT-IN certification for examination process and use of CCTV cameras.

There was no leakage of question papers in the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination, 2017. In view of some sporadic incidents of alleged cheating by some candidates at a few venues and subsequent agitation by a section of the candidates, SSC in order to reiterate and reaffirm the faith of the candidates in the examination process recommended for an impartial enquiry by CBI. Accepting the recommendation of the SSC, Government has referred the matter to CBI for a free and fair enquiry. CBI has registered a Preliminary Enquiry case on 08.03.2018.

The said examination has not been cancelled, therefore, question of re-conduct does not arise.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

****

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
16-May, 2018 15:22 IST
Cabinet approves enhancement of budget for implementation of Network for Spectrum for Defence Services

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for enhancement of budget by Rs.11,330 crore for Network For Spectrum (NFS) project for laying of alternate communication network for Defence Services for release of spectrum over and above Rs.13,334 crore already approved by Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in July, 2012.

The project, being implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), will be completed in a period of 24 months.

The NFS project will boost the communication capabilities of the Defence Forces in a major way leading to enhanced national operational preparedness. The project will also have forward linkages to other related industries such as telecom equipment manufacturing and other telecommunication related services.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
23-May, 2018 15:49 IST
Cabinet approves USOF scheme for provision of mobile services in Meghalaya under CTDP for North Eastern Region

The Union Cabinet chaired by chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved Implementation of a Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for the North Eastern Region(NER) in Meghalaya at a total estimated project cost of Rs. 3911 crore to be funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and approval of the enhanced cost of CTDP Project for NER for an amount of Rs. 8120.81 crore (Rs. 5336.18 crore already approved by the Cabinet on 10.09.2014).

Salient Features:

The Scheme entails:

1. Provision of 2G+4G mobile coverage in identified uncovered areas of the State of Meghalaya; and

1. Provision of 2G+4G seamless mobile coverage along the National Highways in Meghalaya.

Benefits:

1. Strengthening of telecom network will result in increase the penetration of mobile connectivity in Meghalaya resulting in affordable and equitable access of communication, information and governance to people.

1. Providing access to public mobile network to hitherto unreached people of Meghalaya will empower citizens with benefits of ICTs for furthering socio-economic developments.

1. The innovative skill of uncovered areas will increase through broadband and internet access.

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Cabinet
23-May, 2018 15:49 IST
Cabinet approves provision of mobile connectivity in Left Wing Extremism Areas

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the "Universal Service Obligation Fund [USOF]” supported scheme to provide mobile services at 4072 tower locations identified by MHA in inhabited uncovered areas affected by Left Wing Extremism [LWE] of 96 districts in 10 States for Phase-ll project. The total project cost would be Rs.7,330 Crore.

This network would be used by the security personnel deployed in LWE affected areas. Project will also provide the mobile services to help the residents in unconnected inhabited villages which would improve the economic activities in the region. It will give impetus to the e-Governance activities in the backward and LWE affected area with the availability of digital mobile connectivity.


The numbers of Tower locations proposed in the 10 States are as follows:

S.No.
States
Districts
Number of Tower locations

1
Andhra Pradesh
8
429



2
Bihar
8
412

3
Chhattisgarh
16
1028


4
Jharkhand
21
1054


5
Madhya Pradesh
1
26


6
Maharashtra
2
136

7
Odisha
18
483


8
Telengana
14
118

9
Uttar Pradesh
3
179


10
West bengal
5
207



Total
10 states
96
4072




Background:

A. LWE Phase I project

1. The LWE phase-l project for providing the mobile services using 2G technology in LWE Areas with a total sanctioned cost of Rs, 4080.78 Cr is on completion.
2. Total 2335 sites are radiating out of total 2355 as on date.

B. LWE-Phase-II project

1. MHA in consultation with the concerned states has identified 4072 tower locations for the communication need of the security personnels deployed in 96 districts of 10 states and provided to DoT on 27th October, 2017.
2. Technology proposed in the Phase-ll project has been upgraded according to the requirement of Stakeholders. Now 2G and 4G technology is being deployed in this project for providing the mobile connectivity.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Communications
15-October, 2018 12:48 IST
BBNL key for implementation of Bharat Net project -Manoj Sinha

The new corporate office of Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) in East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi was inaugurated by Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha today. Addressing the members of the press and media immediately after the inauguration, the Minister said – “BBNL has played a key role in leading the successful implementation of the BharatNet project fordigitally connecting all 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. The objective of this flagship project of our Government is to facilitate the delivery of e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-banking and other services to citizens in every part of our country, on a non-discriminatory basis. We have completed approximately 50% of the project, and the remainder is targeted for completion by March 2019.”

The new BBNL corporate office has been taken on a 30-years lease from the Ministry of Urban Development, through NBCC (India) Limited. The total office space area is 36,597 sq. ft., with a designated area where students from academic institutions can get a glimpse of BharatNet. Smt. Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary (Telecom), who was present on the occasion, added – “The consolidation of BBNL operations in this new office has come at the right time – when the focus of the organization is expanding from implementation, toalso cover critical areas such as utilization and maintenance of the BharatNet infrastructure.”

About BharatNet:

• PhaseI: The target of completing 1,00,000 GPs under phase-I of BharatNet was achieved in December 2017.
• Phase ll: BharatNet Phase-II is planned to connect the remaining 1,50,000 GPs,using an optimal mix of media, by 31 Mar, 2019. Phase II is being implemented through three models – state-led model, CPSU model, and private sector model.
• Further, provision has been made for Last Mile Connectivity in all 2,50,000 GPs through viability gap funding. Every GP shall have on an average five WiFi Access Points (APs), including 3 APs (on average) for public institutions such as educational centres, health centres, post offices, police stations, etc. A tender for provisioning of WiFi services has been floated by BBNL, after consultation with TSPs and ISPs, for wider participation.
• BharatNet is being utilized by BSNL, CSC SPV, TSPs and ISPs for delivery of services at Gram Panchayats. BSNL has provisioned WiFi hotspots at 1,742 GPs and FTTH connections at 13,513 GPs in various states. As part of project implementation, BBNL has provided for provisioning of an FTTH connection by BSNL at every GP of Phase I, for a period of one year, to provide an experience of broadband services to the people at the GP level. Such connections have already been provided to 70,238 GPs.

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