If the social media platforms don’t act swiftly, their “safe harbour under section 79 of the IT Act would be withdrawn”, a statement by Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajiv Chandrasekhar said.

The implication is that they can be directly prosecuted under applicable laws and rules, even if the content may not have been uploaded by them.

“The notices served to these platforms emphasize the importance of prompt and permanent removal or disabling of access to any CSAM (child sexual abuse material) on their platforms. They also call for the implementation of proactive measures, such as content moderation algorithms and reporting mechanisms, to prevent the dissemination of CSAM in the future,” the statement by the ministry read.

The government is determined to “build a safe and trusted internet under the IT rules,” said Chandrasekhar.

“The IT rules under the IT Act lays down strict expectations from social media intermediaries that they should not allow criminal or harmful posts on their platforms,” he added, referring to Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.

Loanee & non-loanee farmers can now register through Banks/PACS/LAMPCS, CSCs, Insurance Company agents, and NCIP Portal before the 5th of August. Notably, the Odisha Govt has decided to bear farmers’ insurance share up to 2ha.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, in a letter to the Director of Agriculture & Food Production of Odisha, informed that the Centre has extended the cut-off date for enrollment of farmers under PMFBY for Kharif 2023 up to 5th August after considering the request by Odisha government.

The Centre observed that the implementing Insurance Companies i.e. AIC of India. Future General, SBI General Insurance and Reliance General Insurance Company operating in the state of Odisha have also consented to the extension of the cut-off date via email, to ensure maximum coverage of the farmers as well.

Taking into consideration the interest of the farmers in the State, the Government approved extending the cut-off date for enrollment of farmers for all crops notified under PMFBY from 31st July 2023 to 5th August 2023. The Govt of India premium share shall be payable during the extended period, the letter read.

The Centre also urged the Odisha Government to take utmost care in eliminating moral hazards and anti-selection during the extended period, in compliance with the Operational Guidelines.

It is pertinent to mention here that Dr Arabinda K Padhi, Principal Secretary Department of Agriculture & Farmer’s Empowerment had written a letter to the CEO of PMFBY to extend the cut-off date for enrollment of farmers under PMFBY for Kharif 2023 citing the inability of farmers to enrol themselves due to delay in notification and implementation new technologies.

In a press meet the Navy Chief also told that by November 21 the first batch of Agniveers will report at the INS training centre Chilika.

In his key note he said that the Agniveers will be gender neutral. Of the 3,000 Agniveers to be inducted by the Navy this year, there will be some women. The numbers will be based on the number of ships that the women can be accommodated and the facilities in training establishments too.

Vice Admiral Tripathi noted that The Navy already has women officers serving on aircraft and onboard warship. And The Navy is looking at recruiting up to 600 women Agniveers depending on the modalities they would be posted on warships as well, it has been learnt.

On the Occasion Lt. Gen. C.B. Ponnappa, Adjutant General of Army said that for the Army, the terms and conditions and eligibility criteria have already been put up on the Army website. On July 1, there will be notification from all recruitment offices.

He informed that the first rallies will start in first week on August to November. In two batches induction will be done into training centres .

The Army which plans to induct 40,000 Agniveers in the first batch will recruit around 25,000 Agniveers in first batch by first half of December and remaining in the second batch by first half of February 2023.For this, 83 rallies planned across the country covering all States, he added.

Officials also explained that the intake of Agniveers would be progressively increased in the next few years. Intake of recruits under Agnipath will increase from 46,000 annually in the first 4 years, to 90,000 in the 5th year to from the 6th year.

On June 14, the Government announced the scheme for recruitment of soldiers into the armed forces for four years doing away with the current process and the age bracket for new recruits was fixed at 17 1/4 to 21 years of age and there after increasing it by 23years of age later .

All recruitment in the forces for soldiers, sailors and airmen will now be through this route. Agniveers on completion of four years will get an opportunity to join regular cadre and upto 25% would be selected through another recruitment process.

In the last few days several Ministries and Government departments announced measures to accommodate Agniveers in various avenues post the four stint, amid violent protests by youth across the country against the new scheme.