24 June 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Prime Minister pays tributes to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on the day of his martyrdom

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2028060 )

Topic: GS1 – History – Modern Indian History – Personalities

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his martyrdom day, highlighting his dedication to the nation and his influential personality. Mookerjee, a renowned thinker and educationist, continues to inspire generations with his service to India.

More About Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee:

Early Life and Education:

• Born on July 6, 1901, in Kolkata, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the son of Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee, a prominent judge of the Calcutta High Court.
• He pursued his education at Presidency College and earned a degree in English, later studying law at Lincoln’s Inn, London.

Academic Career:

• He became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta at the age of 33, serving from 1934 to 1938.
• Mookerjee was known for his significant contributions to education and academic reforms.

Political Career:

• Initially a member of the Indian National Congress, he later joined the Hindu Mahasabha, becoming its president in 1944.
• He served as the Finance Minister of Bengal Province in 1941.
• Mookerjee was a vocal critic of the Congress’s policies and the Muslim League’s demand for Pakistan.

Role in Independence and Partition:

• He opposed the partition of Bengal and was a strong advocate for the rights of Hindus in Pakistan.

Formation of Bharatiya Jana Sangh:

• In 1951, he founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), which later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aiming to create a strong nationalist alternative to the Congress.

Advocacy and Martyrdom:

• Mookerjee was a staunch critic of Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.
• He was arrested in 1953 for entering Kashmir without a permit and died under mysterious circumstances in custody on June 23, 1953.

Legacy:

• Dr. Mookerjee’s commitment to national integration and his advocacy for a unified India continue to inspire political discourse and policy in contemporary India.

Practice Question:  Discuss the role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in the Indian freedom struggle and his contributions to the political landscape of post-independence India. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. The Telecommunications Act, 2023: Ushering in new era of connectivity

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2027941 )

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

Context

The Union Government has enforced key sections of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, replacing colonial-era laws with modern regulations. ‘Effective from June 26, 2024, the Act aims to enhance telecom services, security, and innovation under the principles of inclusion, security, growth, and responsiveness for a developed India.

Purpose:

• Aims to amend and consolidate laws related to the development, expansion, and operation of telecommunication services and networks.
• Repeals the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act, 1933 due to technological advancements in the telecom sector.

Key Principles:

• Guided by the principles of Samavesh (Inclusion), Suraksha (Security), Vriddhi (Growth), and Tvarit (Responsiveness).

Definitions:

• Clarifies various terminologies to reduce uncertainties and improve investor confidence.

Right of Way (RoW) Framework:

• Provides an effective Right of Way (RoW) framework for public and private properties.
• Expands the definition of public entities and obligates them to provide RoW except in special circumstances.
• Imposes a ceiling on Right of Way (RoW) fees and ensures non-discriminatory access.

Right of Way (RoW) Framework:

The Right of Way (RoW) framework refers to regulations governing access to public and private land for laying telecommunication infrastructure such as cables and towers. It establishes guidelines for permissions, fees, and conditions under which access must be granted, ensuring equitable and efficient deployment of telecom networks.

Common Ducts:

• Allows the Central Government to establish common ducts and cable corridors, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti vision.

Telecommunication Standards:

• Sets standards and conformity assessment measures for telecom services and networks to ensure national security.

National Security and Public Safety:

• Includes strong provisions for national security and public safety measures.

Inclusive Service Delivery:

• Expands the Universal Service Obligation Fund to support services in underserved areas and promote R&D.

Universal Service Obligation Fund:

The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is a government initiative aimed at promoting widespread access to telecommunication services across India, particularly in rural, remote, and economically disadvantaged areas. Established under the National Telecom Policy, the USOF collects contributions from telecom operators and utilises these funds to subsidise the provision of telecom services in underserved regions. It plays a crucial role in enhancing connectivity, fostering digital inclusion, and bridging the urban-rural digital divide.

User Protection:

• Implements measures to protect users from unsolicited communication and establishes a grievance redressal mechanism.

Digital by Design:

• Emphasises digital implementation, including online dispute resolution.

Transition Provisions:

• Sections 61 and 62 ensure a smooth transition from the old framework to the new law.

PYQ: What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (250 Words /15 marks)  (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2022)

Practice Question: Examine the transformative impact of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, on India’s regulatory framework for telecommunication services and networks. Discuss its implications for national security, technological innovation, and digital inclusivity. (250 Words /15 marks)