Identity Project's List: Press Information Bureau

"Draft National Telecom Policy- 2011 Released by Shri Sibal



Affordable, Reliable and Secure Telecommunication and Broadband Services Across the Country Envisioned



Increase in Rural Teledensity from 35 to 100 by 2020 Proposed

Broadband on Demand and 600 Million Connections by 2020

Efforts Towards ‘Right to Broadband’

One Nation - One License and One Nation - Free Roaming

Additional 300 MHz Spectrum by 2017 and Another 200 MHz by 2020 to be made Available

Seamless Voice, Data, Multimedia and Broadcasting Services on Converged Networks

Eighty Percent Telecom Sector Demand through Domestic Manufacturing with a Value Addition of

Sixty Five Percent by 2020



Shri Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications and Information and Human Resource Development has said that the Telecommunication has emerged as a key driver of economic and social development and in an increasingly knowledge intensive global scenario India needs to play a leadership role. National Telecom Policy-2011 is designed to ensure that India plays this role effectively and transforms the socio-economic scenario through accelerated equitable and inclusive economic growth by laying special emphasis on providing affordable and quality telecommunication services in rural and remote areas. Shri sibal said this today while unveiling the draft National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2011.

The Minister said that thrust of this policy is to underscore the imperative that sustained adoption of technology would offer viable options in overcoming developmental challenges in education, health, employment generation, financial inclusion and much else. NTP-2011 is an initiative to create a conducive policy framework to address these issues and to touch lives of all citizens and transform India. By formulating a clear policy regime, NTP-2011 endeavors to create an investor friendly environment for attracting additional investments in the sector apart from generating manifold employment opportunities in various segments of the sector. In achieving the goal of National Telecom Policy 2011 revenue generation will play a secondary role."

"Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Shri Nandan Nilekani, launched the Hindi version of the UIDAI web portal, here on Wednesday to mark Hindi Diwas.

“The website is quite comprehensive and is a complete Hindi translation of the UIDAI portal. Unlike other websites translated into Hindi, this Hindi portal is a sensible translation of the master website,” said Shri Nandan Nilekani.

Detailing the objective of launching the Hindi website, Shri RS Sharma, Director General & Mission Director, UIDAI said, “Hindi is our national language and considering the fact that the UIDAI is for all Indian residents, we needed to give the website a pan-India appeal and hence the Hindi website.” He added, “The website will offer updated information in real time and no compromises will be made in terms of the quality of information on the website. Both, Hindi and English websites, would be in sync with each other.” Shri Sharma even lauded the efforts of Shri BB Nanavati, DDG, UIDAI, who facilitated the entire exercise of website translation. The Hindi website link has been provided on the UIDAI website (www.uidai.gov.in)."

"The Union Home minister Sh. P. Chidambaram presented the Report Card of Ministry of Home Affairs for July, 2011 in New Delhi today. Following is the text of his statement:



“I present the report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the month of July, 2011



Mumbai witnessed a major terrorist attack on July 13, 2011. This is the first major terrorist incident after the Pune incident on February 13, 2010. There were three bomb blasts within a space of 10 minutes and it was a coordinated terrorist attack. The case is being investigated by ATS, Mumbai. NIA associated itself with the investigation at the start and continues to be associated with the ATS, Mumbai. Sketches of suspects have been shared with the police authorities of different States and efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits. Government of India deeply regrets the incident. This terrorist attack once again underscores the importance of maintaining constant vigil and continuing to build capacity to pre-empt and prevent such attacks. I offer my deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and the injured and sincerely hope that the injured, who are receiving treatments in the hospitals in Mumbai, will recover soon. Compensation has been paid to the families by the Government of Maharashtra as well as from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.



On July 4, 2011, I held a meeting with the DGsP of 9 LWE affected States and DGs of CAPFs to review the security situation in the affected areas. "

"he Union Government has set up a committee to carry forward the process of electronic toll collection in the country. The Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to examine all technologies available for Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and recommend the most suitable one for implementation throughout India. The Committee submitted its Report on 02.07.2010 recommending adoption of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). To implement the ETC an Apex Committee has been constituted. Terms of Reference of the Committee are:

(i) To develop strategy for implementation of ETC in the country including planning, operational methodology, process design, system design, security function and performance requirements;

(ii) To evolve and finalize standards for various components of ETC system; "

"Consultative Committee of Ministry of Communications and IT Meets
National Broadband Plan and Measures for ICT Connectivity to Villages Discussed

The meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was held late yesterday evening to discuss the National Broadband Plan of Department of Telecommunications. The meeting was chaired by Shri Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology. Shri Sachin Pilot and Shri Milind Deora, the Ministers of State for Communications and IT were also present in the meeting.

In his opening remarks Shri Kapil Sibal, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology said that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a significant role in bridging the divide between poor and non poor. He emphasized on the urgent need for a nationwide broadband network to enable e-education, e-healthcare, e-banking, e-agriculture and other services to reach all villages electronically at affordable cost. Such a network would truly help in realizing the objective of inclusive growth, the Minister added.

Broadband connectivity is increasingly seen as an integral driver of improved socio-economic performance. Shri Sibal emphasized that all citizens of India should have access to broadband and the transformative opportunities it offers. Broadband services would allow individuals to access new career and educational opportunities, they help businesses reach new markets and improve efficiency and they enhance the Government’s capacity to deliver critical services to all of its citizens. Mobile Broadband will be delivered to the palm of an individual through hand held devices which he/ she can carry with him/ her and is available 24X7."

"Workshop on Nationwide Electronic Toll Collection Held
The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Dr. C.P. Joshi has said that we should chalk out a plan to increase the percentage of national highways from present 2.2 % to 5 % in the next 10 years. Delivering inaugural address at the Consultation Workshop with the Technology Providers and Concessionaires in respect of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) here today, he said that keeping in view the various types of highways there should be a hybrid pattern of toll collection. The Workshop was jointly organized by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, National Highways Authority of India & National Informatics Centre. The Chairman of UIDAI Shri Nandan Nilkeni & Minister of State for RT&H Shri Tusharbhai A. Chaudhary also addressed the workshop. Shri R.S. Gujral, Secretary Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Dr. V.K. Gairola, D.G (NIC) were present.
"

"Indian Language Technology Proliferation and Deployment Centre to be Launched
The National e-Governance Advisory Group (NAG) under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Communications & IT will meet tomorrow, November 12, 2010 at Scope Complex, New Delhi. In this meeting several eminent personalities from private sector and academia along with IT Ministers from several states will share their experiences and expectations. The Group has been reconstituted last fortnight in view of the changes at various levels and to have a wider representation. It was first constituted on March 29, 2005 for the effective management of the National e-Governance Programme (NeGP)."

"NEW DELHI, INDIA India's top political leadership, dealing with telecom and IT broadband, re-instated that they believe broadband is going to be the next revolution after mobile phones. And, also that broadband penetration will be one of the building blocks for national development.

Speaking at a seminar, organized by ISPAI (Internet Service Providers of India) and CMAI (Communication Multimedia and Infrastructure) Association of India, Sam Pitroda, adviser to the Indian Prime Minister on Public Information, Infrastructure and Innovations, Milind Deora as well as Sachin Pilot, both ministers of state for communications and IT agreed that broadband will play a key role in India's ambition to be an economic and cultural powerhouse."

"Following is the text of the press statement of Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communication and Information Technology on National Optical Fibre Network issued in a press conference here today.



“The Scheme for creation of National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) for providing Broadband connectivity to Panchayats has been recommended by Telecom Commission at its meeting held today. The salient features of this scheme as recommended by the telecom commission are outlined below



“The objective of the scheme is to extend initially the existing optical fiber network which extends upto districts HQ’s/Block HQ’s level upto the Gram Panchayat level by utilizing Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) .The cost of the initial phase of the NOFN scheme is likely to be in the region of RS 20,000 crore. Similar amount of investment is likely to be made by private sector complementing the NOFN infrastructure while providing services to individual users. Following the recommendation of the TC, the proposal will be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval ."

"Interim Report of the task Force on Direct Transfer of Subsidies on LPG, Petroleum and Kerosene Submitted to Finance Minister; Recommends an Implementable Solution in a phased Manner;Core Subsidy management platform (CSMS) also Recommended
The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said that the direct transfer of subsidies on LPG, Fertiliser and Kerosene will help in curbing pilferage and leakages. He was speaking on the occasion of submission of the Interim Report of the Task Force on Direct Transfer of Subsidies by the Chairman of the Task Force and Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Shri Nandan Nilekani, here today. The interim report recommends an implementable solution, in a phased manner, for direct transfer of subsidies on LPG, Fertiliser and Kerosene.
"

"One of the most innovative initiatives of the poverty reduction, the National Rural Livelihood Mission(NRLM) is all set to get a boost with the investment support by the World Bank under National Rural Livelihoods Project (NRLP) to Ministry Of Rural Development. The Bank will provide soft loan worth US$1 billion (approximately Rs. 4,600 crores) with a maturity period of 25 years to provide quality technical assistance and results-based financing. NRLP is aimed at professionalizing the overall program management of NRLM and the distribution of project funds among the states would be based on the relative share of rural BPL population in the total states. It will also make investments in developing a wider base of implementing partnerships with private sector, civil society, and other development institutions for bringing in new ideas, innovations, services, and delivery mechanisms. "

" Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has given top priority to Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms which include improvement of infrastructure for distribution and storage of PDS food grains. State Governments have been urged to take initiatives to computerize system and adopt best practices of management. Accordingly, States have taken several initiatives. As per information received from the States some of them are as under:

Andhra Pradesh

- Digitization of ration card database of all the beneficiaries has been completed.

- Aadhaar enrolment is currently in progress in seven districts

- State Civil Supplies Department has decided to implement Smart Card based solution in all Fair Price Shops (FPSs) covering entire Andhra Pradesh State in a phased manner."

"New Delhi, July 13: The Finance Ministry has decided to extend the terms of reference of the task force, which was constituted under the chairmanship of Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), to recommend and implement a solution for direct transfer of subsidies on kerosene, LPG and fertilizer to the intended beneficiaries.


A memorandum, which was issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has been decided to extend the terms of reference of the task force to the reforms of PDS.
"

"Terms of Reference of The Task Force on Direct Transfer of Subsidies Extended
The Ministry of Finance has decided to extend the terms of reference of the Task force which was constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to recommend and implement a solution for direct transfer of subsidies on Kerosene, LPG and Fertilizer to the intended beneficiaries. A Memorandum to this effect was issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance today.

It has been decided to extend the Terms of Reference of the Task Force to the reforms of PDS, so as to also include the following :

i. Identify and suggest required changes in the existing systems, processes and procedures, IT frameworks and supply chain management;
"

"Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee will meet with the Chief Executive Officers of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Financial Institutions tomorrow in the national capital. During the meeting, the Finance Minister will do the annual review of Public Sector Banks’ performance in different sectors including flow of agriculture credit, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) credit, disbursement of housing loans and education loans among others. The Government had set a target of Rs. 4,75,000 crore for agriculture credit for 2011-12 as against the target of Rs.3,75,000 crore during 2010-11. The achievement during 2010-11 was of Rs.4,46,778.98 crore, thus exceeding the target by Rs.71,7778.98 crore i.e. 19% above the target. During this period, 5.50 crore farm loan accounts were financed which is an increase of 14.11% in number of farm accounts and 16.19% in the amount of loan disbursed.
"

"The Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has urged all Public Sector Banks/Financial Institutions to exert themselves in containing the downward trend of Asset Quality by devising suitable strategies for containing and rolling back NPAs. He was addressing the review meeting of the Chief Executives officers (CEOs) of Public Sector Banks/Financial Institutions, here today.

In his initial remarks, the Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee congratulated the Chief Executives present on the significant credit growth of 22.44% recorded by Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in the last financial year 2010-11. However, he also noticed that there has been a moderation in the last quarter. Net Profits of PSBs have gone up from approximately Rs. 39,000 crore to approximately Rs. 45,000 crore in the year 2010-11. He sounded a note of caution to all in respect of Asset Quality. "

"Third UIDIA’s Conference of Ecosystem Partners held
New Delhi, 29th June 2011: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) held its third conference of ecosystem partners of the project, for the northern region here today. The event was attended by UIDAI’s state and central registrars, enrolment agencies which capture resident’s demographic and biometric data as well as officials from the authority.

The conference opened by UIDAI Director General and Mission Director, Sh. Ram Sevak Sharma who emphasised the importance of data quality in ensuring uniqueness of IDs in his opening address. “Quality by design, is something we must aspire to”, said Mr. Sharma. “All efforts must be made to contribute towards ensuring a near zero error situation”. He also added that, resident comfort during the enrolment process is important to the Authority. He urged all partners to ensure basic conveniences for residents, at the enrolment centres.

The conference aimed at discussing the progress of the Aadhaar project in the Northern region which is managed by three regional offices in Delhi, Lucknow and Chandigarh that oversee operations covering over 44 crore residents. A discussion was held with the various ecosystem partners on the operational issues in the implementation of the Aadhaar project.
"

"One Crore Aadhaar Numbers Issued

In just nine months since the launch of the Aadhaar project in Maharashtra, UIDAI has issued one crore Aadhaar numbers. 52 year old, NK Chheda from Maharashtra has the distinction of being the resident whose Aadhaar number was generated on reaching this milestone. Coincidentally, the first resident to get the Aadhaar number, Ranjana Sonawane, is also a resident of Maharashtra. She received her number on 29th September, 2010 in Tembhli village of Nandurbar district.
"

"Of proposed one lakh, over 94,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) have already been rolled out in 31 States/UTs so far in an endeavor to take Information Communication Technology (ICT) to the remotest part of the country. 12,510 of these are located in the naxal affected areas of 11 States. Ten States including Gujarat, Kerala, Sikkim, Tripura, Jharkhand, Puducherry, Manipur, Chandigarh, Goa and Delhi have completed 100% roll out. Under the Scheme, connectivity has been provided to 67,883 CSCs by April 2011. Department of Information Technology (DIT) has also developed an Online Monitoring Tool for monitoring the uptime of the CSCs. It is possible to monitor real time performance of the CSCs through this tool. "

"The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the leading United Nations agency for Information and Communication Technology, is marking its 146th anniversary of establishment on 17 May this year by recognizing eminent personalities who have made a significant contribution in using ICT for social development to unleash the digital revolution. In this regard, ITU has decided to confer the 2011 ITU World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to Mr. Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations, in recognition of his dedication to promoting ICTs as a means of providing a better life for humanity and social and economic empowerment. "