October 2022 - Page 9 of 56 - Lokmarg

Data Protection Bill Will Be Simple And Modern: Minister

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said that the new data protection bill will be “very simple and modern”.

He said the right to privacy and data protection are fundamental rights in India and the data protection bill will be very progressive in recognizing and enshrining these rights.

The minister made the remarks while speaking at the event CyFY2022, organized by Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

The new personal data protection bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament during the budget session of Parliament in February next year.

The Centre in August withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2021, and said it would be replaced by “a comprehensive legal framework”.

Chandrasekhar, who is also Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said that India has emerged not just as a local hub for talent and innovation related to the semiconductor and micro-electronics industries, it is well poised to become a global center of the innovation economy.

The minister said India has made considerable progress in the semiconductor space since 2014.

In 2014, most electronic devices were imported, but today 97 percent of devices are made in India, he said. “India also has a blueprint in place to advance the semiconductor space.”

Chandrasekhar said almost every ecosystem today, be it the drone ecosystem or any other, has far more start-ups and they are an integral part of the government’s vision of building a new India.

“Global supply chains need to be shaped not just by efficiency and affordability but also by values and trust. Democratic nations must take the lead in shaping the future of the internet,” he said.

He said India has a large number of startups focused on the next generation of device and technology design and added that India has taken the landmark decision to keep its internet open, but certain boundary conditions must apply.

“Safety, security, and trust are a must. There needs to be a coalition of consensus around these boundary conditions,” he said.

The minister said that engagement with technology was transforming the economy, aspirations, and the youth.

He said never in history has there been a country innovating on this size and scale.

“India is keen to lead the charge into Web 3.0, but issues around online gaming and crypto need to be wisely managed. An environment of safety and trust must be built, without stifling innovation,” he said. (ANI)

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Odisha Govt Launches Common Credit Portal For Farmers

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday launched a common credit portal SAFAL’ (Simplified Application for Agricultural Loans) for the welfare of farmers.

The application can revolutionize credit provisions for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs, he said.

The facility will enable farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to access more than 300 term loan products of over 40 banks, the chief minister said while launching the portal.

Expressing delight over the launch of the portal, the CM said that the application is a one-stop solution for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to avail formal sector credit from Public and Private sector banks, Regional Rural Banks, State Cooperative Banks, and Small Finance Banks.

With this facility, the CM said, farmers and Agri entrepreneurs will have access to more than 300 term loan products being offered by 40 plus partner banks.

Patnaik said that SAFAL will also provide the government with complete visibility of demand and disbursal of formal credit across states and ensure schemes are designed in a data-backed manner.

“It will ease the loan application process benefiting both the farmers and banks significantly. The portal will also reduce information asymmetry by sending farmers real-time notifications at every stage of their loan application,” he assured.

He hoped that SAFAL would be a facilitator of credit to spur the agriculture and allied sectors in Odisha and increase the economic prowess of farmers in the long run.

Earlier, he said that farmers are the backbone of our economy, and agriculture is the largest employer in the state in addition to being the key to the socioeconomic development of our people.

He added that his government, therefore, lays special emphasis on the development of the farming sector through various interventions supported by a comprehensive and inclusive state agricultural policy with the government taking strides in increasing the income of farmers.

Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari appreciated the CM’s vision for the empowerment of farmers’ inclusion in the economic process.

Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Rajendra Pratap Swain outlined the steps taken by his department for economic development and the welfare of farmers.

Agriculture Production Commissioner-cum-ACS Sanjeev Chopra highlighted the achievement of Odisha in the agriculture sector. (ANI)

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Turkey Helped Pakistan Raise Cyber Army Against US, India

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Turkey secretly helped Pakistan in setting up a cyber-army camouflaged under the bilateral agreement which was used for domestic political goals as well as directed to attack the US and India and undermine criticism leveled against the Pakistani rulers.

Turkey helped Pakistan in setting up a cyber-army to shape public opinion, influence the views of Muslims in Southeast Asia, attack the US and India and undermine criticism leveled against the Pakistani rulers, Nordic Monitor has learned.

The plan was given a go-ahead by Imran Khan, the then-prime minister who simultaneously held the position of interior minister, during a meeting with Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu in 2018.

The secret work was camouflaged under the bilateral agreement on cooperation against cybercrime when in fact it was against perceived influence operations pursued by the US, India, and other foreign powers, according to sources familiar with the project, reported Nordic Monitor.

The proposal to establish such a unit was first put on the table during private talks between visiting Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and his host, Shehryar Khan Afridi, the then-minister of state for interior, on December 17, 2018. The matter was discussed at the senior level and kept confidential from most of the staff at Islamabad’s interior ministry, Nordic Monitor reported.

The first public admission of this clandestine operation was made by Soylu during an interview on October 13, 2022, with a local TV station in Kahramanmaras. He did not name the country but made clear he was in fact talking about Pakistan when he referred to a country that was a five or six-hour direct flight from Turkey.

Unlike his predecessors, Soylu has gained notoriety in running troll and bot armies in cyberspace on behalf of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and had worked on similar covert operations even before he became interior minister in September 2016, added Nordic Monitor.

The AKP set up teams to dominate social media in influence operations and attacks on critics. When he was deputy chairman of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2014 with a research and development portfolio, Soylu secretly set up a large Twitter team to insult and target with offensive language prominent social and political figures who did not embrace the AKP’s ideals and practices. According to the parliamentary record, he controlled a 6,000-strong troll army at the time.

In the end, using intelligence and information as a weapon, the newly revamped cyber police department was turned into machinery to undermine the public view of the opposition and smear critics and dissenters within the ruling party reported Nordic Monitor.

Instead of investigating real crime on the internet, the teams at the cyber unit are busy hacking opponents’ emails and social media accounts, collecting private data from cell phones and computers they gained access to, and using the hacked material to intimidate and at times blackmail dissidents. (ANI)

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UNSC Anti-Terror Meet In India To Focus On Threat From Tech Misuse

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

A meeting of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee will be held in Mumbai and Delhi on October 28 and 29 and the overarching theme is ‘Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

Addressing a joint media briefing here, Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations who is also Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, said that terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and misuse of emerging technologies was an issue of increasing concern.
She said over the past two decades, member states have made tangible progress in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism yet terrorist threat persists and “despite our best efforts has evolved”

“Terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. With the growing prevalence of technology and rapid rise in digitization, addressing the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes has become an issue of increasing concern,” she said.

“Mindful of addressing this issue whilst also recognizing the potential of technologies to increase the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts, Committee has come together in India to hold its special meeting countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

She said the focus will be on the increasing threat of use for terrorist purposes of three significant technologies – the internet, including social media, new payment technologies, and fundraising methods, and unmanned aerial systems including drones.

Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs said the meeting will begin with a tribute to victims of terrorism.

“UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee will be hosted in Mumbai and Delhi on October 28 and 29 respectively. The overarching theme would be ‘Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes. It will begin with a tribute to victims of terrorism,” he said.

David Scharia, Head of Branch, UN The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate also addressed the press conference.

India is currently the Chair of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee. (ANI)

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Putin Oversees Drills Of Nuclear Forces Amid Escalating Tensions With Ukraine

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday monitored drills of the country’s strategic nuclear forces involving multiple practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles, the Kremlin said.

State television showed Putin overseeing the drills from a control room.
The manoeuvres followed President Vladimir Putin’s warning about his readiness to use “all means available” to fend off attacks on Russia’s territory, in a clear reference to the country’s nuclear arsenals, reported Sky News.

The drills come amid growing fears Russia may trigger a major escalation in Ukraine.

During the exercises, the country’s nuclear forces carried out multiple practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles, reported Sky News.

Russia’s Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that Putin had overseen the training, which he said was being held to practice delivering a “huge nuclear strike in response to an enemy nuclear strike”.

The drills saw the test-firing of a Yars land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the launch of a Sineva ICBM by a Russian nuclear submarine and the Tu-95 strategic bombers set off cruise missiles at practice targets, reported Sky News.

Meanwhile, the US said that it was notified Russia was planning to stage the routine drills and the country had complied with the terms of the nations’ last arms control agreement.

Military exercises involving land, sea and air components of the Russian nuclear triad have taken place on an annual basis to train the country’s nuclear forces and demonstrate their readiness.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig Gen Pat Ryder in a press briefing said, “The US was notified, and, as we’ve highlighted before, this is a routine annual exercise by Russia.”

The move comes amid Russia’s claim this week that Ukraine could use a so-called “dirty bomb” on its own territory. It is seen by analysts as a new attempt to stoke fear of nuclear escalation among Kyiv’s backers, if not a pure one and simple distraction.

Meanwhile, The US and other Western officials have dismissed Moscow’s claim that Ukraine plans to use a so-called dirty bomb as a Russian false-flag operation.

A “dirty bomb” is a conventional bomb laced with radioactive, biological or chemical materials disseminated in an explosion.

The term is often used interchangeably with radiological dispersal device (RDD), a bomb where radioactive materials are used.

In a joint statement, the US, France and Britain — three of the other nuclear powers on the United Nations Security Council — said Sunday that Russia’s claims were “transparently false”.

They and Kyiv suspect that Russia might use a dirty bomb in a “false flag” attack, possibly to justify Moscow’s use of conventional nuclear weapons as it finds itself on the back foot in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russia on Tuesday also flagged allegations to the UN Security Council that Ukraine is preparing to use a “dirty bomb” on its own territory.

Under the New START Treaty, Russia is obliged to provide advance notification of such missile launches.

New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former Cold War rivals and caps 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by Russia and the United States of America. (ANI)

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Anti-Dust Campaign: 253 Notices, ₹32.4L Worth Of Fines Issued

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai chaired a review meeting with Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Environment Department officers to take stock of the Anti-Dust Campaign on Wednesday.

It was observed in the meeting that 6,868 construction sites had been inspected by officers under the Anti Dust Campaign. At the same time, notices/challans were issued to 253 sites; and fines of Rs 32.4 lakh were imposed for violation of guidelines issued at construction sites, said a press release.
Minister Gopal Rai stated, “In order to reduce the pollution of Delhi during the winter season, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the Winter Action Plan on 30 September. On the basis of this, the concerned departments have started work to implement it on the ground, added the statement.

Under the Anti Dust Campaign, the teams are constantly visiting construction sites. These teams will ensure that the construction guidelines are followed there. It is necessary to implement 14 norms on construction sites. The campaign was launched on October 6 and will run till November 6. If any site refuses to follow the rules of dust control, action will be taken against it as per law, added the statement.

According to the NGT guidelines, a fine ranging from 10,000 up to 5 lakh will be imposed for violation of the rule on the construction sites. If there is a severe violation then the construction site will be shut.”

Environment Minister directed the officials of the Environment Department to take daily reports from the teams regarding the Anti Dust Campaign. So far 6868 construction sites have been inspected. A total of 253 notices have been issued and fines of Rs 32.4 lakh have been imposed for non-compliance with guidelines at some construction sites.

Minister Gopal Rai appealed to the people of Delhi that if they find any irregularities in the construction/demolition work, then they should complain about it on Green Delhi App. (ANI)

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Bhaijaan Extends Shirtless Bhai Dooj Wishes

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Superstar Salman Khan’s swag is totally unmissable in his latest Instagram post.

On the occasion of Bhai Dooj on Wednesday, Salman, fondly called ‘bhaijaan’ by his dear ones and fans, took to the social media application and extended his warm greetings in his special style.

He posted a bare-bodied photo of himself and captioned it, “Happy Bhai dooj..”

In the image, he is seen flaunting his chiseled abs as he stares away from the camera. This image of Salman is the perfect Bhai Dooj treat for his fans.

Reacting to the post, a social media user commented, “Bhaijaan rocks.”

“Hot. hot. hot,” a fan wrote.

“Hahahhaa only bhai can wish like this,” a netizen wrote.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Salman is all set to come up with a film titled ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi ki Jaan’. The family entertainer is scheduled to release on Eid 2023. Shehnaaz Gill, Pooja Hegde and Venkatesh Daggubati are also a part of the film.

He will also be seen with Katrina Kaif in ‘Tiger 3’, which will hit the theatres on Diwali 2023. Emraan Hashmi is playing an antagonist in the film. (ANI)

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Rakul Preet Shares Parents Reaction To ‘Thank God’

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Expressing her happiness and contentment over her recent role played, actor Rakul Preet who received an overwhelming response for her performance in the latest release ‘Thank God’, which also stars Sidharth Malhotra and Ajay Devgn. In the film, she essays the role of a cop.

Sharing how her parents reacted to the film, Rakul said, “This is the earliest my parents have seen any film of mine let me tell you so they called me at 12 in the morning and my dad said this is your best film so far and I was like what really? And my dad felt that this generation would love this film and that families would love the film because it’s so true to our Indian families and culture. He took the number of my director and left him a long message saying thank you for doing this for this generation.”

Rakul also had the opportunity to see the audience’s reaction in theatres and was ecstatic with the response. She added, “Thank God I did surprise theatre visits and the audiences have come up to us emotional. They didn’t expect us in the theatres and they walked up to us stating how everyone really liked the film and how they are emotionally connecting with the film. All I can say is Thank God right now.”

The family entertainer minted Rs 8.10 crore on day 1 of the release, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

“ThankGod relied completely on spot bookings on the biggg #Diwali holiday… Although Day 1 biz is not proportionate with the names attached, the biz gathered speed towards evening onwards… Needs to grow/jump in the long, extended weekend… Tue Rs 8.10 cr. #India biz,” Adarsh posted on Twitter.

Thank God is directed by Indra Kumar. It is the official remake of the Danish flick, Sorte Kugler. (ANI)

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Rajasthan Govt To Build Smart Classrooms In Madrasas, Multiple Crores Approved

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

The Rajasthan government has announced to connect 500 madrasas in the state with a digital mode of education by building smart classrooms, according to an official notification on Wednesday.

The government has also approved an amount of Rs 13.10 crore for the purpose.
The modernization of education in madrasas will take place in a phased manner, which is in accordance with the announcement in the budget 2022-23. The Ashok Gehlot-led government had announced to provide smart classrooms with internet facilities in registered madrasas in a phased manner. Under this, 500 madrasas will be upgraded in the coming year in the first phase.

The students studying in the 500 madrasas which are registered by the Rajasthan Madarsa Board, and are selected in the first phase will now get education through a smart board instead of the blackboard. An amount of Rs 2.62 lakh will be invested per madrasa, according to the notification.

Besides the madrasas, the government will also set up digital libraries in 344 residential schools in the state. Gehlot government approved an amount of Rs 36.56 crore for the purpose.

“The state government has started connecting madrasas of the state with modern technology. Now for better education in madrasas, various facilities like smart classrooms will be made available to them. Here students will now get education through smart board instead of blackboard,” Gehlot tweeted.

“For this, an additional budget of Rs 13.10 crore has been approved. For setting up of smart classrooms in 500 madrassas out of the madrassas registered by the Rajasthan Madarsa Board, Rs 2.62 lakh will be spent per madrassa. It is noteworthy that in the budget year 2022-23, it was announced to provide smart classrooms with internet facilities in registered madrasas in a phased manner. Under this, 500 madrasas will be upgraded in the coming year in the first phase,” he added. (ANI)

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Kharge Announced To Implement Udaipur Declaration: Sachin Pilot

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

With Mallikarjun Kharge taking over at the helm of affairs in Congress, Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that 50 percent of party posts would be given to party workers below 50 years of age as per Udaipur Declaration.

Sachin also reiterated that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will always remain the leaders of the party.
Pilot, who arrived in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida earlier today, said that a message has been sent to the other parties through the election of Kharge as party president that Congress is capable of conducting free and fair elections.

“Mallikarjun Kharge has taken charge as the president of the party. It is a good sign for democracy that such a big election concluded successfully in such a large party. Congress has the ability to conduct fair elections with utmost transparency. Kharge has vast experience,” he said while speaking to the reporters.

“He has always worked as a worker of the Congress party. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were and will always be leaders of our party, but we will fight all the challenges in front of us. We’ll start working for the upcoming elections,” he said while mentioning about the challenges in two states- Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh within this year, and then the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls.

“A message has been sent from Delhi that Congress has done something which no other party has done. Nobody knows how the BJP president is elected,” Pilot added.

Mentioning the Udaipur declaration that was adopted in May earlier this year in the three-day Chintan Shivir, Pilot said that Kharge would implement the declaration.

“The party has adopted the Udaipur declaration. Kharge Ji had announced to implement this as soon as he got elected. The party had passed a declaration with a consensus to give opportunities to the youth. The party will give 50 percent of the posts at all levels to those workers of the party who are below 50 years of age,” he said.

Soon after taking over the reins of Congress, Kharge said, “We decided at the Udaipur ‘Chintan Shivir’ to reserve 50 percent of the party posts for those below 50 years of age. We will move forward with that, with support from all of you.”

“We will defeat those who spread hatred,” he said, naming the ruling BJP and its parent body RSS as “those who want to divide India”.

Earlier today, Kharge, who succeeds Sonia Gandhi, said it was a matter of pride to carry forward the legacy of Congress.

“It’s an emotional moment for me. I want to thank Congress people for making a worker’s son, an ordinary worker, the president of Congress. It is a matter of pride to carry forward the legacy of the Congress,” he said.

The 80-year-old Congress veteran said that it was a matter of privilege and pride for him to handle the responsibility as a party that was led by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhash Chandra Bose.

“As president, it will be my utmost duty to look after our workers. Together, we will build an India that will be enlightened, empowered, and equal for every citizen. We will uphold the Constitution of this country, respect everyone’s rights and give equal opportunities, defeat those who spread hate, and fight inflation, unemployment, and hunger,” he said. (ANI)

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