Page 9 - Ravi Shankar Prasad
Prasad flags off laying of high-speed cables linking Chennai to Port Blair
: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said state-owned BSNL is a strategic asset of the country and it was his mission to make it one of the top companies of India. "....It ((BSNL) is a strategic asset of the country. Standing in Tamil Nadu I need to recall when Chennai was suffering from huge floods... ultimately who came to the rescue.... BSNL. When there was a great earthquake in Nepal and when Indians were stranded there, who gave free service? BSNL," he said. The Union Minister for Communication, Electronics & IT, Law & Justice was speaking after inaugurating the cable laying work for submarine optical fibre link from Chennai to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The total cost of the project is Rs 1,224 crore and it is being executed by BSNL. Prasad also said that during the (recent) cyclone in Odisha and floods in Kashmir,it was BSNL which came to the rescue and when there is a strategic need for the defence (sector), it is BSNL. "BSNL is not a ...
High time to hold exams for judicial services in IAS, IFS format: Prasad
This is needed to utilise and bring talent in the judiciary, the law minister said
 "High time to hold exams for judicial services in IAS, IFS format: Prasad")
Relief for tech cos as change in proposed digital content norms on cards
Since 2017, rumour-mongering on social media has been blamed for mob attacks that killed 30 people across the country
 "Relief for tech cos as change in proposed digital content norms on cards")
Be transparent in making intermediary rules: Mozilla, GitHub to IT Minister
The amended guidelines are widely expected to be presented by next week on January
Telecom industry urges govt to facilitate funding at lower interest rates
Department of Telecommunications will convey these suggestions to the Finance Ministry for consideration
 "Telecom industry urges govt to facilitate funding at lower interest rates")
CAA row: States have Constitutional duty to implement Acts, says Prasad
He said it was surprising that those who have come to power by taking oath under the Constitution are making "unconstitutional" statements
DoT holds meet with telecom operators, vendors to talk about 5G trials
The meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash, lasted for over an hour. An official with one of the telcos said that all operators attended the meeting.
 "DoT holds meet with telecom operators, vendors to talk about 5G trials")
Huawei gets govt's approval to participate in 5G trials in the country
Huawei came under a cloud after allegations that the firm's electronic and telecom devices helped China spy on US corporations and agencies
 "Huawei gets govt's approval to participate in 5G trials in the country")
Will give 5G spectrum for trials to all players, including Huawei: Prasad
Sources said all operators and vendors, including Huawei, will be included in trials.
Free WiFi to all villages connected via Bharat Net till March 2020: Prasad
Currently, 48,000 villages connected under the BharatNet project have WiFi access
 "Free WiFi to all villages connected via Bharat Net till March 2020: Prasad")
Rs 7-trn plan to provide internet access to rural areas by 2022 launched
For the mission, Rs 70,000 crore will come from the USOF
Prasad hits out at Vodafone for 'dictating' terms to India on AGR ruling
He also said Mahanagar Telecom Nagar Ltd and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd are strategic assets that should remain in the fray and ensure better competition
Snooping row: Govt didn't engage Pegasus for spying on people, says Prasad
He said the government's agency CERT-IN is engaged in the matter concerning Whatsapp.
 "Snooping row: Govt didn't engage Pegasus for spying on people, says Prasad")
Hopeful of consensus on Article 6 at COP25, negotiations underway: India
It is the last section of the Paris accord rulebook which remains unresolved and has the potential to make or break efforts to curb emissions
Ensure speedy investigation, trial in rape cases: Prasad to CMs, HCs
Prasad also urged the high court chief justices to ensure that fast-track courts complete trial in such cases within six months.
Data Protection Bill referred to joint select panel following voice vote
Shashi Tharoor writes to LS speaker against move, says ruling party has shown brazen disregard for standing committee on IT
 "Data Protection Bill referred to joint select panel following voice vote")
Govt to send Data Protection Bill to joint select panel of both Houses
Shashi Tharoor of the Congress, who heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology, protested the move and said it should be referred to his panel.
 "Govt to send Data Protection Bill to joint select panel of both Houses")
Lok Sabha takes up Bill to extend SC-STs' political reservation by 10 years
According to the 2011 census, there were 296 members of the Anglo-Indian community, the minister said
Rape, POCSO case probes should be completed in 2 months: Law minister
Incidents of rape and crimes against women are unfortunate and highly condemnable, Prasad said
Rescuing India's PSU behemoths coming at the cost of fiscal restraint
Modi has received more than $28 billion from state firms since he came to power in 2014, by extracting dividends or getting PSUs to buy out the government's stake
 "Rescuing India's PSU behemoths coming at the cost of fiscal restraint")