Tag: Ravi Shankar Prasad

IT jobs in India: Two lakh jobs added in IT sector since 2019: Ravi Shankar Prasad

[ad_1]

Read More/Less


NEW DELHI: The IT sector has contributed 8 per cent to the country’s GDP and two lakh new jobs have been added in the sector since 2019, Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. He said the government also intends to lay BharatNet in villages all over India and the prime minister wants this to be accomplished in the coming 1000 days.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, the minister said India has attained its image in the world due to digital India.

“The IT sector has contributed 8 per cent in country’s GDP. A total of 46 lakh people work in it, which include 14 lakh women. After 2019, two lakh people have got jobs in the IT sector,”he said.

Prasad said the success of online education has been confirmed by the one year of the pandemic, as school education was not interrupted even during the pandemic.

He also informed the House that a total of 70 lakh cases have been heard digitally by the Supreme Court and the High Court during the pandemic.

Highlighting the new developments in the IT sector, he said, India has become the top most performing country in the world in UPI in making digital payments.

“We are laying out BharatNet in all villages all over India. The prime minister wants this to be done in the coming 1000 days. But, surely once that is done, then a lot of opportunity will emerge to give more digital content to local schools,” he said.

The minister said his focus in particular is to keep the government schools in mind while providing digital education, so that students there also get new opportunities to study.



[ad_2]

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Leave a comment , , , , ,

Any attempt to create ‘imperialism of internet’ by few companies unacceptable: Ravi Shankar Prasad – Times of India

[ad_1]

Read More/Less


NEW DELHI: Union communications and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday told Rajya Sabha that any attempt to create “imperialism of internet” by a few companies would not be tolerated.
Speaking during Question Hour on the banning of Twitter accounts, Prasad said the government welcomes dissent but cannot allow misuse or abuse of social media.
Replying to G C Chandrashekhar (Congress), who raised the issue of climate activist Disha Ravi’s arrest in the ‘toolkit’ document case, Prasad said India is proud to have nearly 140 crore social media users.
LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook are free to do business in India. They have empowered ordinary Indians.
“The government welcomes dissent. The issue is not of use of social media, the issue is of abuse and misuse of social media…
“Internet is a powerful invention of human mind, but it should not become the monopoly of few. And we have taken a position, any attempt to create imperialism of internet by few companies is not acceptable,” the Union minister said.
Prasad said Ravi’s case is under judicial consideration, but the House should consider whether some people should be allowed to “abuse social media” to “defame” India internationally.
Replying to a supplementary question, he said there are cases where the dignity of a woman is sought to be compromised by displaying her nude or morphed photo.
In such cases, the minister said, the guidelines are clear that the content should be removed within 36 hours.
“The guideline is very clear that you have to remove that (content) within 36 hours only if it relates to the unity and integrity of India, safety and security of India, public order, and most importantly, the dignity of the woman…,” he said.
As far as content creation is concerned, Prasad said, “We don’t wish to interfere so that is the job of the users of social media as to what there is to say.”
He also said his department works in close coordination with the Election Commission.
“The Election Commission has set up a dedicated cell to weed out fake news, fake media designed to influence (voters),” he said, adding that Cambridge Analytica has been banned and a CBI probe is going on against the UK-based data analytics firm.
For maintaining the purity of India’s electoral process, the government is working in close coordination with the Election Commission to ensure that fake news do not influence elections, Prasad said.
Assembly elections will be held in four states and one Union Territory — Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry — in late March and April.

[ad_2]

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Leave a comment , , , , ,

No proposal to appoint regulator for social media: Prasad

[ad_1]

Read More/Less


“The social media platforms are enjoined to develop a robust grievance redressal system.”

The government on Wednesday informed Parliament that there is no proposal with the IT ministry to set up a regulator for social media.

Union IT and Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, said that the government has released Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, under the IT Act that specifies the due diligence to be followed by all the intermediaries, including the social media intermediaries.

“The social media platforms are enjoined to develop a robust grievance redressal system. Presently, there is no proposal with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to appoint a regulator for social media,” Mr. Prasad informed the Lok Sabha.

 

The government in February had announced sweeping regulations for social media firms like Facebook and Twitter as well as OTT players such as Netflix, requiring them to remove any content flagged by authorities within 36 hours and setting up a complaint redressal mechanism with an officer being based in the country.

The guidelines also make it mandatory for platforms such as Twitter and WhatsApp to identify the originator of a message that authorities consider to be anti-national and against security and sovereignty of the country.

The new rules related to social media platforms are to be handled by the IT ministry while the Information and Broadcasting ministry will look after content related issues on entertainment apps and online news portals.

Mr. Prasad said under provision of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the government blocks unlawful and malicious online content including social media account, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.

“Under this provision, 9,849 URLs/accounts/webpages, mostly on social media platforms, were blocked during the year 2020,” Mr. Prasad said.

 

In response to question whether the government has conducted any study regarding the impact of government’s control over social media vis-a-vis right to freedom of expression enshrined in the constitution, Prasad denied any such study undertaken by the government.

He said that the government welcomes criticism, dissent and also the rights of people to ask questions on social media.

“However, this needs to be acknowledged that the fundamental right of speech and expression under article 19(1) is also subject to reasonable restrictions under article 19(2) of the Constitution which can be imposed in the interest of security, safety and sovereignty of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign countries etc,” Mr. Prasad said.

The minister said it is equally important that social media should not be abused or misused to defame, promote terrorism, rampant violence and compromise the dignity of women.

You have reached your limit for free articles this month.

Subscription Benefits Include

Today’s Paper

Find mobile-friendly version of articles from the day’s newspaper in one easy-to-read list.

Unlimited Access

Enjoy reading as many articles as you wish without any limitations.

Personalised recommendations

A select list of articles that match your interests and tastes.

Faster pages

Move smoothly between articles as our pages load instantly.

Dashboard

A one-stop-shop for seeing the latest updates, and managing your preferences.

Briefing

We brief you on the latest and most important developments, three times a day.

Support Quality Journalism.

*Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper, crossword and print.

[ad_2]

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

EC proposal to link electoral roll with the Aadhaar under consideration: Govt in Lok Sabha | India News – Times of India

[ad_1]

Read More/Less


NEW DELHI: The Election Commission‘s proposal to link electoral roll with the Aadhaar ecosystem to root out multiple enrolments is under the consideration of the government, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
In a written reply, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the poll panel has proposed to link electoral roll with the “Aadhaar ecosystem” with a “view to curb the menace of multiple enrolment of the same person at different places”.
He said this would require amendments to the electoral laws. “The matter is under the consideration of the government,” he said.
He was asked about the current status of the Election Commission‘s proposal to link Aadhaar with voter ID.
The minister said the poll panel has stated that it has taken multiple measures for the security and the safety of the electoral roll data platform.
“Electoral roll database system does not enter into the Aadhaar ecosystem and the system is used only for the authentication purpose keeping a tight air-gap between the two systems. These measures effectively prevent theft interception and hijacking of the voter system,” Prasad said.
He was asked about the manner in which the government plans to protect the data linked with Aadhaar and voter ID from being misused.
The poll panel has been pressing the government to amend provisions of the Representation of the People Act allowing EC to seek Aadhaar numbers of those applying to be voters and those who are already part of the electoral rolls.
According to the EC proposal sent in August 2019, the electoral law should be amended to empower electoral registration officers to seek Aadhaar number of existing voters as well as of those applying to enrol themselves in the voters” list.
In August 2015, a Supreme Court order on Aadhaar had put the brakes on Election Commission’s project to link UIDAI (Aadhaar) number with voters’ electoral data to check multiple entries in electoral rolls.
The poll panel was then collecting Aadhaar number as part of its National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP).
Seeking to check multiple entries in electoral rolls and to make them error-free, the Election Commission had embarked on an ambitious project to link Aadhaar numbers with electoral data.
Since the Supreme Court order makes it clear that sanction of law is required to collect Aadhaar number, the commission has proposed changes in electoral law, a poll panel functionary had recently explained.

[ad_2]

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fuel price war paralyses Parliament | India News – Times of India

[ad_1]

Read More/Less


NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament failed to function on Tuesday with leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleging “digital discrimination” against the opposition in the lower House, saying protests by them were being “blacked out”.
Speaker Om Birla retorted sharply and asked the Congress leader whether he was desirous of showing the public scenes of unruly protests and persistent disruption by opposition MPs. Chowdhury, however, persisted with his allegations, demanding that the “blackout” be stopped and said Parliament belonged not only to the government, but equally to opposition parties.
Protests, which have included waving of placards and slogan shouting, have not been shown on TV by order of successive Speakers, including those when UPA was in office.
Chowdhury said, “There is digital discrimination. Whatever the government says and does comes on television. Everyone is a stakeholder in the House. Whatever we do is being blacked out. The blackout should stop. The camera should focus on everyone.”

Incidentally, Congress MPs were in the well at that point, demanding a rollback of fuel and LPG prices, as well as a discussion on the subject. Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi, endorsing the Speaker’s comments, said the opposition wanted the country to see Parliament in disarray.
Vociferous protests by opposition parties against rise in fuel prices led to repeated adjournments of Rajya Sabha as well, which consequently failed to transact any substantial business.
Congress, BSP, DMK, Shiv Sena and Left parties demanded suspension of regular business for a discussion on the record high prices of petrol and diesel as soon as proceedings began in the upper House at 11 am.
With Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu having already disallowed the notice moved by leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, deputy chairman Harivansh said the ruling could not be “reopened” as per rules.
But the slogan-shouting opposition members persisted with their demand, with some of them even trooping into the well, leading to the first adjournment till noon. The House was then adjourned till 2 pm amid continuing uproar.
After lunch, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stressed on the need to take up the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill 2021, which has already been passed by Lok Sabha and seeks to replace an ordinance.
Senior Congress member Anand Sharma, however, said as per tradition, no government bill should be taken up when the opposition was demanding a discussion on an important issue.
“The opposition has a right to take up the issue,” he said. With the opposition showing no signs of relenting, the deputy chairman adjourned the House for the day.

[ad_2]

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nirmala Sitharaman takes first dose of Covid-19 vaccine | India News – Times of India

[ad_1]

Read More/Less


NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
“Got my first dose of the vaccination against Covid-19 this morning,” Sitharaman tweeted.
She also thanked sister Ramya PC for her “care and professionalism”.
“Fortunate to be in India, where development and dissemination has been prompt and affordable,” she added.
The government on Wednesday had announced that everyone above 60 years of age and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to get Covid-19 vaccine from March 1, for free at government facilities and for a charge at many private hospitals.
Citizens can register and book an appointment for vaccination using the Co-WIN 2.0 portal or through the Aarogya Setu app.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, health minister Harsh Vardhan and law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad have also got vaccinated against Covid so far.

[ad_2]

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , ,

Govt Clears Production-linked Incentive Scheme to Boost Manufacturing of Laptops, Tablets and PCs

[ad_1]

Read More/Less


File picture of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

File picture of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The approval of PLI scheme for these hi-tech IT hardware gadgets comes after the Cabinet last week cleared a Rs 12,195 crore scheme for telecom equipment manufacturing.

  • PTI New Delhi
  • Last Updated: February 24, 2021, 16:22 IST
  • FOLLOW US ON:

The government on Wednesday approved a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs and servers, as it looked to woo global players to tap India’s manufacturing capabilities. The approval of PLI scheme for these hi-tech IT hardware gadgets comes after the Cabinet last week cleared a Rs 12,195 crore scheme for telecom equipment manufacturing.

Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Cabinet cleared the about Rs 7,350 crore PLI scheme for IT hardware that would cover laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs and servers. The scheme would position India as a manufacturing hub, spur exports and create new jobs opportunities, Prasad added.

Incentives worth Rs 7,350 crore will be provided over four years for manufacturing of these products in India. Production worth Rs 3.26 lakh crore and exports worth Rs 2.45 lakh crore are estimated over the four year timeline.



[ad_2]

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Leave a comment , ,