Latest news with #JyotiradityaM.Scindia
Hans India
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Over 13.6 million mobile numbers disconnected to check fraud: Scindia
New Delhi: Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia informed Parliament on Wednesday that over 13.6 million mobile numbers have been disconnected based on citizens' feedback to curb telecom fraud. The minister said that in a major nationwide push to curb cyber fraud and protect citizens from digital threats, the Government of India has rolled out a series of decisive, tech-enabled measures under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in close coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs. A key feature introduced is the 'Know Your Mobile Connections' service, which allows users to check all numbers issued under their name and report any unauthorised connections. This has resulted in the disconnection of 13.6 million such numbers, he explained. The minister said that DoT has also blocked 5.5 lakh handsets and deactivated 20,000 bulk SMS senders. Nearly 24 lakh WhatsApp accounts involved in suspicious activities have also been disengaged. He highlighted that a Digital Intelligence Platform has been developed, bringing together 620 institutions, including 570 banks, 36 state police forces, investigative agencies, and telecom service providers, to jointly tackle fraud in real-time. The platform enables integrated action against scammers and cybercriminals who misuse telecom infrastructure to deceive citizens. To further involve the public in this mission, the Government launched the Sanchar Saathi portal on May 16, 2023, which has since registered over 15.5 crore hits, indicating strong public awareness and participation. Building on this success, the Sanchar Saathi mobile app was launched on January 17, 2025, for both Android and iOS, and has received over 44 lakh downloads. The Government has also deployed artificial intelligence tools, notably the ASTR system, to automatically detect and eliminate fake mobile numbers, leading to the disconnection of an additional 82 lakh such connections. Addressing the serious issue of international spoof calls, where foreign numbers appear as Indian calls, the DoT introduced a centralised software solution under the International Incoming Spoof Calls Prevention. On the very first day, 1.35 crore such spoof calls were blocked, and ongoing efforts have brought down such incidents by 97 per cent. Today, only about three lakh spoof calls are being detected daily, compared to the earlier massive volumes. Telecom operators have also been mandated to display 'International Call' alerts on all such incoming numbers for greater user transparency, the minister said. He also stated that in a significant technological leap, the Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) system was introduced to assess user risk levels—Very High, High, or Medium—based on banking and transaction behaviour. This risk data is shared with banks in real time, helping them prevent suspicious transactions. Over 3.7 lakh individuals have been flagged under these categories, leading to the prevention of more than 3.04 lakh debit/credit instructions and the freezing of 1.55 lakh bank accounts. Recognising the system's effectiveness, the Reserve Bank of India has instructed all banks to integrate FRI into their internal systems. Additionally, the DoT has taken firm steps against the misuse of Indian SIMs operating from Southeast Asian countries. Over 26 lakh such roaming mobile connections have been disconnected, and around 1.3 lakh devices used in such scams have been blocked. These ongoing efforts signal the Government's strong commitment to protecting citizens, securing telecom networks, and building a digitally secure India. Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and make full use of tools like the Sanchar Saathi portal and app to report suspicious activities, check their mobile connections, and help build a fraud-free digital ecosystem, the minister added. Telecom Fraud, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sanchar Saathi, Mobile Number Disconnection, Digital Security, ASTR System
United News of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Scindia urges speedy execution of DoNER projects in Manipur during high-level review
Imphal, July 11 (UNI) Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today called for expedited implementation of key development projects in Manipur, citing delays in critical sectors such as tourism, connectivity, and handloom. Speaking during a high-level review meeting co-chaired virtually with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, the Minister, who attended the meeting virtually, emphasized the need for targeted action to overcome persistent bottlenecks and deliver tangible results. The meeting reviewed the status of ongoing DoNER and North Eastern Council (NEC) projects across the state. Manipur Chief Secretary P.K. Singh presented a detailed update, highlighting progress and challenges in several priority areas. These included development of handloom and handicrafts, promotion of Polo, enhancement of tourism infrastructure, strengthening transport and connectivity, implementation of palm oil cultivation under the NMEO-OP, logistics improvements, and investment promotion in Manipur. Revisiting discussions from the previous review held on April 17, 2025, the session also focused on the advancement of vibrant village initiatives, monitoring of PMO-priority projects, and resolution of distressed or delayed projects under central schemes. Offering point-wise feedback, Minister Scindia urged departments to adhere to timelines and maintain momentum. Governor Bhalla reinforced the call for timely execution, directing officials to intensify ground-level implementation and prioritize outcome-driven governance. The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Governor, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), senior administrative secretaries, and officials from the North Eastern Council who participated via video conference. UNI NS RN
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
ITI may sell some land to repay bank loan of ₹1,500 crore
The Union government on Thursday reiterated its monetisation plan for land owned by ITI Ltd., set up in Bengaluru in 1948. 'We are working on a monetisation plan for ITI to raise money to fund the development and expansion activities of the PSU's digital technology and communication business,' Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, told The Hindu. Details being worked out When asked how many acres of ITI campus would be part of the monetisation plan, the Minister, on the sidelines of his visit to ITI's 400-plus acre campus at Dooravani Nagar in Bengaluru, said such details were yet to be worked out. Earlier speaking to the media, Mr. Scindia said that ITI was an institution that had contributed tremendously in the telecom revolution of India. The PSU was able to adapt along with technological advancements from manufacturing of rotary and push-button dial phones into manufacturing of core telecom equipment, the radio access networks, the routers, PCB Boards etc. 'The shift has been tremendous and I look forward to ITI playing an even more fundamental role in technology as the telecom revolution sweeps our country,'' said the Minister. To a question whether the Ministry was supporting ITI in modernising its technology and manufacturing capabilities, Mr. Scindia said: 'Yes. I think the management of the ITI has to have that responsibility. The Ministry's responsibility is to make sure that it's sustainable. At this point, we are working on multiple strategies to ensure that ITI becomes much more financially sound. I am very confident that the whole government approach will be able to accomplish that,'' the Minister added. Internal resources Later, ITI chairman and managing director Rajesh Rai told The Hindu that the PSU currently has a bank loan of ₹1,500 crore and the company was exploring internal resources to repay it. 'We are in a financial restructuring mode. We require some working capital and we are currently working towards that,' said Mr. Rai, adding: 'Regarding monetisation, we are in preliminary discussion with National Land Monetisation Corporation. How much land will be monetised will be decided later.'' Land value ITI would be able to fetch ₹70 crore and above per acre of land, as per realty sources in Bengaluru, as the land parcel is situated on a high connectivity corridor. The campus currently comprises factory units, a data centre. 4G equipment, telecom HDPE pipes for various clients, EVMs, printed circuit boards upto 4 layers, Electromagnetic interfaces and Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab, Telecom testing labs, 3D Printing facility, various encryption products for defence and a start-up hub called Vinyaas. It also has a clubhouse, corporate office, guest houses, badminton court, cricket ground, parks, trees (including horticulture), and employee residences from A type to E type. It also has two schools, ITI Vidya Mandir and CBSE Central School in addition to ITI Hospital, post office, two fuel stations and two CNG stations, BSNL office and banks.
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Scindia met Cisco global head; calls for innovations and investments in India
ANI 08 Jul 2025, 18:06 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], July 8 (ANI): Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Tuesday met the CEO of Cisco, Chuck Robbins, along with his minister deliberated on the conversation to deepen their footprint in India's rapidly evolving digital technology landscape and growing market. During the meeting, he highlighted the importance of leveraging the country's vast potential and vibrant talent pool.'It was a pleasure to meet @ChuckRobbins, CEO of Cisco and his team. Deliberated on deepening Cisco's tech footprint in India, expanding into Tier 2 & 3 markets, strengthening cybersecurity, and co-creating solutions that truly touch lives at the grassroots. With India rising as a global digital powerhouse, we look forward to building a secure, inclusive and future-ready Bharat,' posted Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on the social media platform 'X'.Underscoring the importance of building solutions that uplift the common man, he stressed Bharat's pivotal role in driving the 6G revolution and India's growing momentum in artificial intelligence (AI).The Minister also invited Cisco to explore broader investment opportunities in India's digital technology sector, highlighting the country's emergence as a global hub for innovation and investment. He also emphasised the importance of developing ecosystems beyond physical infrastructure that empower communities and prepare future discussion builds on Cisco's expanding presence in India, including the inauguration of its first manufacturing facility in Chennai in 2024, graced by the Minister. As India accelerates towards a tech-driven future, the Minister welcomed Cisco to further expand its engagement and co-create solutions that drive inclusive, resilient, and future-ready digital growth. (ANI)
Mint
27-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Investments worth ₹4.32 tn expected in North-east, states to offer incentives: Jyotiraditya Scindia
New Delhi: North-eastern states are expected to start offering incentives soon for business deals worth ₹ 4.32 trillion that they have sown up in the just-concluded regional investment summit, minister of development of North Eastern region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said in an interview. Scindia said the Central government is doubling down on the strategic development of the region and is stepping up connectivity. Guwahati and Agartala are being made into international gateways to cities like Singapore and the government is working steadfastly on the trilateral highway connecting India, Thailand and Myanmar, the minister said. Better infrastructure connectivity will also help the country, and the region tap new opportunities from the $122-billion trade among South-east Asian nations, Scindia said. Development of the eight North-eastern states, described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'Ashta Lakshmi,' is a priority for the government given the region's strategic location, economic potential and the need for inclusive national growth. Scindia said the two-day summit that ended on 24 May was the culmination of extensive work, including roadshows in which state chief ministers and ambassadors participated and multiple meetings with industrial groups. At the end of it, the eight states together received investment proposals worth ₹ 4.32 trillion, Scindia said. This covers investments in all eight states and encompasses multiple sectors including manufacturing, fast moving consumer goods, hydropower, information technology, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, tourism, textiles, perfumes and bamboo. 'It is a very widely diversified investment basket,' the minister said. Scindia said he has worked with the chief ministers of all the eight states–Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura–and their governments to build state-specific plans. 'We have also recommended each of the states to set up investment promotion authorities (IPAs) and all the eight states have either done so or are in the process of doing so where an incentive structure, industry wise, will be outlined by each of the state governments.' 'We have also worked on a logistics policy for every state looking across 12 parameters, where each state stands vis-a-vis the others and presented that to each state government and each of them will come out with individual logistics policies. Therefore, it is a very streamlined and facilitatory partnership driven approach.' The minister added that the incentive regime that each of the states will come up with, will depend on what investors are looking for in that state. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The minister described the North-east as India's engine of growth. 'The global average GDP growth rate is close to about 2-2.5% and India is growing at 6.5-7%. So, we are growing at almost 2.5 to 3 times the world average. The North-east—not one state, not two, not five, or seven, but all the eight states—in the last decade have grown at a decadal growth rate of 12 to 13%. North-eastern states are growing at almost twice the rate of India and close to five times the global growth rate,' said Scindia. Development of the region is of strategic importance to India given that it shares international borders with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, which makes it a priority region for national security and regional diplomacy. Referring to the infrastructure creation in the region in the last ten years, Scindia said the North-east is unique in geo-strategic positioning. 'The flying time from Guwahati to Mumbai is equal to the flying time from Guwahati to Singapore. The flying time from Agartala to Chennai is the same as from Agartala to Bangkok. Therefore, we are thinking of making sure Guwahati and Agartala are made into international gateways,' the minister said. Scindia said 70% of the over-1,400 km India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway has been completed and that New Delhi was working steadfastly for finishing the work. The government is also developing multimodal connectivity in the region.
