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The union cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday has approved the expansion of private FM radio services to 234 new cities across India. This move is part of the 3rd batch of ascending e-auctions under the Private FM Radio Phase III Policy, offering 730 new channels. 

The estimated reserve price for these channels is set FM radio at Rs 784.87 crore. In addition, the Cabinet has approved a new Annual License Fee (ALF) for these FM channels, which will be 4% of their Gross Revenue, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST).

This fee structure will apply to the FM channels introduced in these 234 new cities.

This expansion is aimed at meeting the growing demand for FM radio in areas that currently do not have access to private FM broadcasting. It will bring local content, often in the regional languages of these areas, to new listeners.

The rollout is also expected to create new job opportunities and promote local dialects and culture, supporting the government's 'vocal for local' initiative.

Many of the cities and towns included in this plan are located in Aspirational districts and areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE). The introduction of private FM radio in these regions is expected to strengthen government outreach and improve communication.


Union Cabinet approves e-auction proposal, expansion of private FM radio in 234 cities

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the new social media policy, aimed at regulating content across platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. The policy introduces guidelines for addressing objectionable social media content and mandates legal action.

Yogi Adityanath's cabinet approved the Uttar Pradesh Digital Media Policy, 2024, prepared by the state's information department, on Tuesday. Under the new policy, posting anti-national content will attract stringent consequences, with penalties ranging from three years of imprisonment to a life term. Previously, such actions were addressed under Sections 66E and 66F of the Information Technology (IT) Act, which deal with privacy violations and cyberterrorism, respectively.

Additionally, disseminating obscene or defamatory material online can result in criminal defamation charges, further underscoring the legal ramifications of misusing digital platforms, according to the official statement.
According to the policy, the government has listed a digital agency, 'V-Form,' to handle advertisements. The agency 'V-Form' will be responsible for showcasing videos, tweets, posts, and reels.

The policy has also specified payment limits for influencers, account holders, and operators on social media platforms. For X, Facebook, and Instagram, the maximum monthly payment limits are set at Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh, respectively. On YouTube, the payment limits for videos, shorts, and podcasts are Rs 8 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, Rs 6 lakh, and Rs 4 lakh, respectively.


UP govt gives nod to Social Media Policy, life imprisonment for anti-national posts

India's journey into Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance takes a momentous leap with the establishment of the AI Knowledge Consortium (AIKC). Twelve research institutions and think-tanks have joined forces to establish this initiative, dedicated to championing this multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance. 

<strong>Mission of the Consortium</strong>

As AI becomes an integral part of our daily lives, the AIKC recognises responsible business practices and comprehensive societal oversight are dual imperatives.

Vivan Sharan, Partner at Koan Advisory, which serves as the Secretariat of the AIKC, said, "AI is not a monolith, but a complex mosaic of technologies and our interactions with it. And to govern its use, the AIKC will endeavour to simultaneously atomise AI and our response to it." 

NS Nappinai, Senior Counsel of the Supreme Court, and founder of Member organisation CyberSaathi, said, “The AI revolution in India needs to be inclusive, equitable, and reflective of our shared values. We need to evaluate how the four foundational pillars can guide further action on AI namely - empowering communities, stewarding knowledge, building capacity, and fostering inclusive dialogue”.

The launch also marked the unveiling of the AIKC’s debut member organisation report titled “What Indian Parliamentarians Think of AI.” This publication presents findings from a survey of 37 Members of Parliament, shedding light on their perceptions of this transformative technology. 

Manish Tiwari, Founder of the AIKC Member organisation Institute for Governance, Policies and Politics, said “nearly all MPs emphasised the importance of a human-centric approach to AI regulation, while 82% also stressed the centrality of innovation-centricity”. 

The AIKC launch also saw the participation of leading global AI companies such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon Web Services, alongside emerging Indian start-ups like CoRover and Level AI. 

During the event, AIKC members and roundtable participants discussed the need for a public-private partnership led approach to developing hardware infrastructure to ensure equitable compute capacity for AI advancement in India.



12 Research institutions, think-tanks join forces to form AI Knowledge Consortium

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has invited public comments on proposed guidelines for ‘Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres’ catering to individuals with hearing and visual impairment. The move aims to enhance accessibility, aligning with principles of non-discrimination, societal inclusion, availability, advocacy, and affordability.



“Section 29 and Section 42 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandate the appropriate Government to take measures to promote universal service and universal access in the information and communication sector, including access to films for persons with hearing and visual disabilities. Section 40 and 44 provide for mandatory observance of accessibility norms and creation of accessibility features approved under the building plans to all public buildings,” said the document with guidelines. 



These guidelines lay down accessibility standards for public exhibition of feature films for persons with hearing and visual impairment. The guidelines are applicable for those feature films that are certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for public exhibition in cinema halls/movie theatres for commercial purposes. 



The focus of these guidelines is not only on the content but also on the information and assistive devices needed by persons with disabilities to enjoy films in cinema theatres.



The guidelines focus on fostering an inclusive environment by establishing general principles for feature film accessibility, identifying and addressing barriers hindering full accessibility, ensuring equal access for individuals with hearing and visual impairment to cinema screenings and creating an institutional framework for transparent oversight and impartial dispute resolution.



The proposed guidelines include crucial definitions, accessibility standards, Indian sign language guidelines, how accessibility can be achieved in feature films, highlights on processes and  implementation, role of exhibitors, details of public awareness and details on grievance redressal. 





Stakeholders are expected to share their feedback by February 8, 2024.

<strong>Read More:</strong><a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/quantum-brief/centre-ramps-up-efforts-to-be-more-inclusive-in-content-access-and-opportunities-17819.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Centre ramps up efforts to be more inclusive in content access and opportunities</a>







MIB invites comments on guidelines of accessibility standards in theatres

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has opened the floor for comments and suggestions on the proposed Draft Press and Registration of Periodicals Rules, 2024. 



In order to implement the recently notified Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, the draft rules are crucial for the effective enactment of the new legislation. 



Stakeholders and the public at large are encouraged to submit suggestions within the set deadline of February 4, 2024.



The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 passed in both houses last year aims to replace the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. 

The new rules simplify the entire process of registration. Previously, registration had to be done with the District Magistrate(DM) first, then taken to the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). Now, one can register with both the DM and RNI simultaneously. If the DM does not respond within 60 days, the RNI will grant permission.



While law required newspapers, magazines, and books to be registered, the new rules add periodicals to the list, which includes publications with news or comments on news.



Under the law, the printer or publisher must declare their information to the District Magistrate (DM). The DM then sends the declaration to the Press Registrar, who issues a registration certificate. This declaration is necessary for publishing.

MIB seeks public input on draft Press and Registration of Periodicals Rules, 2024

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the subsidised Bharat Atta sale today. Priced at an affordable Rs. 27.50 per kilogram, Bharat Atta we available through cooperative institutions like NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.) and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India), among others.

"The government of India has taken several steps for the welfare of both farmers and consumers. We have procured food commodities every time we saw the people of the country struggle due to rising prices and have sold them at subsidised raised to benefit the consumers," Minister of Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal said during the launch of the product.

"We did the same with tomatoes and helped bring prices down. We then launched Bharat Dal and are doing the same with onions," he further added.

The 'Bharat Atta' will be available through 700 mobile vans and 2,000 government-run outlets.

In February, the Union government had implied its intention to distribute three lakh tonnes of wheat to various cooperatives and Kendriya Bhandar, in addition to the sale of wheat flour. The government has also decreased the per kilogram price of Bharat Atta from Rs. 29.5 to Rs. 27.5 to fight inflation. 

The sale of subsidised Bharat Dal is already in progress to combat inflation in the pulse market.
Last month, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra had preidcted an ample supply of wheat, rice, and sugar, ensuring stable prices during the festive season. With a 3.5 percent  annual inflation rate in wheat, he the goverspecified nment's readiness to enhance OMSS (Open Market Sale Scheme) sales from two lakh tonnes if the situation demands.

As part of the government's strategy to ensure sufficient availability and affordable access for consumers, port of wheat and rice remains forbidden.

Even though certain segments of traders and exporters have requested the government for relaxation on various fronts, including export permissions, the government stands firm on restricting wheat and rice exports, considering the fundamental principle of catering to the needs of India's vast population of 1.4 billion.

As per Moneycontrol, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Singh said, "Government will take similar steps to reduce inflation if any other commodity shows increasing signs. The government is proactive and doing everything it can to control inflation."






You’ve tasted ‘desh ka namakh’, now taste ‘Bharat Atta’: Find out more

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) sent blocking orders to X (formerly Twitter) in relation to a viral video from August showing a teacher reprimanding a student allegedly due to this Muslim identity in Muzaffarnagar, as per a Moneycontrol report.

The two ministries admitted this in response to RTIs filed by digital rights group Internet Freedom Foundation and said that the posts on X were blocked under Sec 69A of the IT Act 2000. Under Section 69A, the Central government can issue blocking orders to platforms Twitter underground such as security of state, public order and so on.
"We filed RTI requests with MeitY and MIB inquiring about tweets covering the Tripta Tyagi misconduct (teacher in Muzaffarnagar, UP) being withheld, which have now been rejected by both Ministries. Except that, both Ministries admitted to ordering censorship," IFF said.

The viral video from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh showcased a teacher showering communal remarks on a seven-year-old Muslim student and goading his classmates to thrash him. A case has been booked against the teacher.
Both, MeitY and MIB, however, refused to furnish further details on the reasoning behind the blocking orders by stating that such orders were confidential under the IT Act.

The digital rights group will now file appeals with the First Appellate Authority challenging the rejection of further information asked for by IFF through these RTIs.
Such blocking orders issued under Sec 69A of the IT Act and IT Rules have been a bone of contention for social media platforms who allege that these directions are furnished without transparency and accused the government of muzzling freedom of speech and expression.

Twitter (before it was bought by Elon Musk), had approached the Karnataka High Court in 2022 and sued the government for a few such blocking orders. After the High Court ruled in favour of the government and upheld these orders, the platform, recently, filed an appeal against the HC's decision.
 
The upcoming Digital India Bill, which will replace the IT Act, too, is likely to have similar provisions on blocking, highlighting concerns of censorship.

According to the version of a draft of the DIB available with Moneycontrol, the bill may retain provisions such as Sec 69A of the IT Act but may tweak its language to modify the legal guardrails that are currently present under the provision.




Muzaffarnagar teacher viral video: MeitY, MIB send blocking orders to X, formerly Twitter

As per reports, minister of state for electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that all smartphones will have to support for Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) by the end of 2025. This is after Apple successfully supported the indigenous navigation system in some of the new iPhone 15 models.

5G smartphones would have to support NavIC by 1 January 2025, and other phones by December 2025, the minister said. NavIC was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

The minister further said, “In line with the incentives that we have announced under the IT hardware PLI (production-linked incentive), where cashback to companies can significantly go up if they use India-designed or -manufactured chips in their systems, we will extend the same idea to the smartphone PLI as well for using domestic chips that support NavIC," and added, “We want to create an incentive structure that will encourage companies under the PLI schemes to use NavIC-supporting chips designed or made in India.”



Report further revealed that under the IT hardware PLI scheme, companies manufacturing laptops, computers and servers and source locally made components, including chips, will get additional incentives.


“When we have a mobile phone grid chip, which is performance-competitive, cost-competitive, we will certainly incentivize mobile phone devices to incorporate that as well." He added that the government has already made it mandatory in the automobile segment to use GPS that uses the NavIC chipsets.

Most smartphones allow use of all navigation systems for developers; also  with NavIC getting adopted by Apple, among other systems, the doors for the Indian system’s global development will also open up.

“Chandrayaan 3, ISRO’s successful launch of the Aditya L1, its maiden solar mission, and the mainstream acceptance of the NavIC technology shows India’s growing power as a space nation," Chandrasekhar said.




All smartphones will have to support for NavIC by the end of 2025: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

"With over 13.5 crore of our people coming out of multidimensional poverty in just 5 years, an aspirational neo-middle class is taking shape and this section of society is poised to push growth even further," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an exclusive Moneycontrol interview. 

Days before world leaders arrive in New Delhi for the G20 Leaders' Summit, PM Modi spoke to Moneycontrol about his vision for India’s role in a world riven by geopolitical uncertainties, the need for credible global institutions and dangers from financially irresponsible policies.

India is currently the fifth-largest economy in the world. The nation is projected to become the third-largest economy in 2027. In the interview PM Modi addressed the implications for G20 and for the rest of the world of a stronger and more prosperous India. 

He said that while it is important that India became the fifth-largest economy, but the way our country did it is as important: "It is a feat achieved because there is a government that is trusted by the people and in turn, the government too trusts the capabilities of the people." 

The PM said it is a privilege and honour for the government that the people have placed unprecedented trust in them. "They gave us a majority mandate not just once, but twice. The first mandate was about promises. The second, even bigger mandate, was about both performance and the future plan we had for the country. Due to this political stability, every other sector could see deep structural reforms. The economy, education, social empowerment, welfare delivery, infrastructure – I can keep on mentioning sectors that have seen reforms."

As a result, he said, "foreign direct investment into India is breaking records year after year, export records are being broken in both services and goods, Make in India has taken off with great success across sectors, startups and mobile manufacturing have done wonders, infrastructure creation is happening at a pace never seen before and all of these adding up to a huge number of job opportunities for our youth. The benefits of growth are being taken to the last mile. A comprehensive social security net protects our poor while the government is assisting them at every step in their battle against poverty. With over 13.5 crore of our people coming out of multidimensional poverty in just 5 years, an aspirational neo-middle class is taking shape and this section of society is poised to push growth even further." 

PM Modi went on to specifically note that women are emerging as the driving force of India's growth journey. "Many development initiatives are seeing them come to the forefront, be it financial inclusion, entrepreneurship or cleanliness. From space to sports, start-ups to self-help groups, every sector that is on an upswing is seeing women taking the lead. With the G20, now, the message of women-led development is making waves all over the world – this is the power of Indian women. The cumulative momentum building up from the empowerment of the poor, youth, women and farmers will certainly make India one of the top 3 economies of the world in the near future." 

India’s growth, he said, is not only good for Indians but also for the world. 

He added, "India’s growth is clean and green growth. India’s growth is being achieved with a human-centric approach that can be replicated in other countries too. India’s growth helps further the interests of the Global South. India’s growth helps bring a sense of reliability and resilience to the global supply chain. India’s growth is for the global good." 



PM Modi: Aspirational neo-middle class taking shape in India, women emerging as driving force

“For a long time, India was globally known for its tech talent. Today, it is known for both its tech talent and tech prowess, especially in digital public infrastructure,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an exclusive Moneycontrol interview with Network18 editors. 

Days before world leaders arrive in New Delhi for the G20 Leaders' Summit, PM Modi spoke to Moneycontrol about his vision for India’s role in a world riven by geopolitical uncertainties, the need for credible global institutions and dangers from financially irresponsible policies. 

When asked about India’s position and contribution on a global stage as a pioneer in creating and deploying digital public infrastructure at a scale never seen before, whether it is UPI or Aadhaar or ONDC, PM Modi said, “As you mentioned, a number of initiatives and platforms that took off over the last 9 years are having a multiplier effect on the economy. However, India’s tech revolution has not only had an economic impact but also a deep social impact.”

PM Modi highlighted that technology is a means to empower people, reach the unreached and take growth and welfare to the last mile.

Addressing the importance of the Jan Dhan – Aadhaar – Mobile (JAM) Trinity, PM Modi said that “even the poorest and the most vulnerable are feeling empowered because no one can snatch their rights away.”The way technology helped us reach crores of people during the pandemic with assistance will always be remembered.”

PM Modi stressed how digital transactions have played a role in the growth of India and talked about how foreign delegates who visit India today are amazed to see street vendors asking customers to pay through a QR code through UPI. “No wonder, India accounted for almost half of the real-time digital transactions that happened in the world! Even other countries are keen on associating with the UPI, so much so that Indians find themselves having the option of paying through UPI even outside India!,” he said. 

PM Modi placed emphasis on how currently lakhs of small entrepreneurs are getting the benefit of having a level playing field in becoming a part of public procurement through the Government e-Marketplace.

“During the pandemic, it was a tech platform COWIN which helped us take over 200 crore vaccine doses to the people, free of cost. We also made the platform open-source for the whole world to use,” stated PM Modi.

PM Modi also addressed ONDC  and said that it is a futuristic initiative that will revolutionise the tech field by creating a level playing field on digital platforms for a number of different stakeholders.

While talking about the need for India’s achievements impacting and influencing the world, PM Modi talked about drones empowering people with property rights through SWAMITVA scheme. 

PM Modi further stated, “Looking at India, countries of the Global South are excited about the opportunity of empowering the poor at a much faster rate, without any leakages, due to technology. This will give momentum to their growth.”

He also talked about how being recognised for India’s abilities in the tech domain is leading to India’s vision for the future of global technology being welcomed at various global platforms.

He cited the G20 Presidency example and highlighted that a framework to govern digital public infrastructure has been adopted by the Digital Economy Ministers, laying the foundations for the One Future Alliance.

“Further, whether it is crypto or cyber terrorism, India’s call for global cooperation on approaching tech-related issues is seen as credible. Because we are a nation that has a deep experience in innovation and adoption of technology in the public domain,” said PM Modi. 



GOVERNMENT