Archives for May 16, 2023

Port Blair, May 16: Safety and security of the users is an integral part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India. Towards fulfilling this vision, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Communications, Railways, Electronics & IT, launched the Sanchar Saathi portal today.
While speaking at the launch, Mr. Vaishnaw said that the three reforms are being introduced today towards furthering PM’s vision:
1. CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) – for blocking stolen/lost mobiles.
2. Know your mobile connections – to know mobile connections registered in your name.
3. ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification) – to identify fraudulent subscribers.
Mr. Vaishnaw said that various frauds such as identity theft, forged KYC, banking frauds can take place by misusing mobile phones. This portal has been developed to prevent such frauds. He said user safety is also an important part of the draft Telecom bill.
By using Sanchar Saathi portal, more than 40 Lakh fraudulent connections have been identified and more than 36 Lakh such connections have been disconnected so far.
He urged the users to visit the portal and avail the services. Link of the portal is (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in).
Brief on Sanchar Saathi initiative
With 117 Cr subscribers, India has emerged as the second largest telecom ecosystem in the world. In addition to communication, mobile phones are being used for banking, entertainment, e-learning, healthcare, availing government services, etc.
It is therefore crucial that the users are protected from various frauds such as identity theft, forged KYC, theft of mobile devices, banking frauds, etc.
To protect users, Deptt of Telecom has developed a citizen centric portal named Sanchar Saathi. It allows citizens to:
• Check the connections registered on their names
• Report fraudulent or unrequired connections
• Block the mobile phones which are stolen/lost
• Check IMEI genuineness before buying a mobile phone
The entire system has been designed in-house by the Deptt. of Telecom. It has the following modules.
Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR):
• In case any mobile device is stolen or lost, a user can submit the IMEI numbers on the portal.
• Information submitted by the user along with a copy of the police complaint is then verified.
• The system is integrated with the Telecom Service Providers and Law enforcement Agencies.
• Once the information is verified, the system blocks the stolen mobile phones from being used in Indian networks.
• In case anyone tries to use the stolen device, the system allows Law Enforcement Agencies to trace the device.
• When the stolen device is recovered, the user can unlock the device on the portal.
• The system prevents use of stolen/lost mobiles.
• It also prevents mobile devices with inaccurate or forged IMEIs being used in Indian networks.
•
Know Your Mobile
• It facilitates the citizens to check the genuineness of IMEI of their mobile device

Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP)
• It facilitates a user to check the number of mobile connections taken in her/him name using paper-based documents.
• User enters her mobile number on the portal and authenticates using OTP.
• The system shows the total connections taken in her name using paper-based documents (such as paper-based Aadhar, passport, etc.)
• The system allows users to report fraudulent connections.
• It also allows users to block the connections which are not required.
• Once reported by the users, the system triggers a re-verification process, and the connections are terminated.
ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification)
• Mobile connections obtained using fake/ forged documents are then used for cyber-frauds.
• To curb this menace, Deptt of Telecom has developed an AI powered tool – ASTR to identify SIMs issued using fraudulent/forged documents.
• ASTR used various techniques of facial recognition and data analytics.
• In the first phase, connections with paper-based KYC were analysed.

Success using ASTR
• In the first phase, analysis of more than 87 Cr mobile connections was carried out.
• For such a large data processing, Param-Siddhi Supercomputer was used.
• Multiple cases were detected where one photograph was used to obtain hundreds of connections.
• A total of 40.87 Lakh suspected mobile connections were detected.
• After due verification 36.61 Lakh connections have already been disconnected. Remaining is under process.
• 40,123 Point of Sales (PoS) involved in selling such mobile connections, have been blacklisted by the service providers and more than 150 FIRs have been lodged across India.
• The details of disconnected numbers have been shared with banks, payment wallets and social media platforms for disengaging these numbers with their accounts.

Port Blair, May 16: Mr. K. Selvam, the President of the Tourist Vehicle Owners Association, has requested the Director of the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) under the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to permit tourist cab and commercial taxi operators to embark on the Chatham – Bambooflat-Chatham sector vehicle ferries during morning and evening hours. The exclusion of these operators during peak times has led to inconveniences for both tourists and drivers alike.
During the peak hours of 07:30 Hrs. to 09:45 Hrs. in the morning and 17:00 Hrs. to 18:45 Hrs. in the evening, tourist cab drivers are prohibited from boarding the DSS-operated vehicle ferries, resulting in significant waiting times and rushed tours for visitors. The situation is particularly troublesome for tourists planning to visit the renowned Mt. Manipur National Park, formerly known as Mt. Harriet, during these hours. Long waiting hours and the need to return to Port Blair promptly have led to dissatisfaction among tourists who are unable to enjoy their excursions fully.
Moreover, the restriction poses challenges for many drivers who reside in Bambooflat, as they rely on these vehicle ferries for personal transportation, including critical medical emergencies. By extending the embarkation and movement permissions to tourist cab and commercial taxi operators during the specified morning and evening hours, drivers will have greater flexibility and accessibility, ensuring smoother journeys for all.
Mr. K. Selvam urges the Director to direct the authorities to review the existing time constraints and allow tourist cab and commercial taxi operators to board the vehicle ferries during peak hours. He mentioned that the inclusion of these operators will not only enhance the tourist experience but also address the needs of drivers who depend on the ferries for personal use. The request seeks to foster a more seamless and satisfactory transportation system for both tourists and operators.

Port Blair, May 16: The Congress Campaign Committee Chairman, A&N Islands Mr. TSG Bhakser on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS informing him about the pathetic condition of living in 3 villages of Diglipur which he noticed during his recent visit to Diglipur.
In the letter, Mr. Bhasker mentioned that around 600 residents living in 3 villages of Diglipur i.e Burmachad, Bandanallah II and Gopal Nagar II are lacking basic facilities of water, electricity and education as they are living in forest areas.
He pointed out that these villages are located on the coast which is very close to the Burmese territory. These villagers should not be looked at as encroachers but as protectors of Islands since they have occupied a very strategic location and have an important role in the security of Islands. Many times they have helped the security forces by passing on information about Burmese poachers entering the Islands.
Mr. Bhasker also appreciated the efforts of teachers deployed at Primary School, Burmachad for their dedicated service and suggested to provide solar panels in the region so that childrens can study even when electricity is unavailable.
He further stated that currently water is sourced from the natural drain or from small wells in all 3 villages. If the Administration constructs few ring wells at the villages then it will be helpful in providing safe drinking water to the villagers.
Hence, Mr. Bhasker requested the Chief Secretary to enquire on the matter and resolve the issues on priority basis.

Port Blair, May 16: The Congress Campaign Committee Chairman, A&N Islands Mr. TSG Bhasker on Tuesday highlighted the pressing issue of water crisis in the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Mr. Bhasker said that all Islanders are currently facing acute scarcity of potable water during this hot and humid climate.
He said that this is not the first time our Islands are facing a water crisis but the APWD and Administration only wakes up at the last moment and once the monsoon arrives, the whole water scarcity issue is forgotten. Thereafter no action is initiated for augmenting water supply in the future Mr. Bhasker suggested the CS convene a meeting with all concerned departments to find out the number of water sources where check dams can be built so that water requirements for the whole year can be met.
He also opined to form a new department for water in A&N Islands similar to Water Boards available in various states of the country in order to take decisions quickly.
Finally, Mr. Bhasker requested the Chief Secretary to take necessary steps to provide sufficient water for the general public of A&N Islands at the earliest.

Port Blair, May 16: The Congress Campaign Committee Chairman, A&N Islands Mr. TSG Bhasker on Tuesday morning met the Director of Shipping Services, A&N Administration Capt. Atul Kumar Singh and discussed various issues pertaining to the shipping sector.
Issues such as unavailability of Boats to Inter-Islands especially at Hut Bay and Campbell Bay region, recruitment in the Afloat and Dockyard section of DSS and creating employment opportunities for young Islanders in the shipping sector were discussed in the meeting.
The DSS gave a patient hearing and reportedly assured Mr. Bhasker to do the needful at the earliest.

Port Blair, May 16: Continuing its public outreach programme to help alleviate difficulties faced by people of A&N Islands due to the water crisis, the TSG Foundation on Tuesday supplied 12,000 liters of drinking water at Malabar Juma Masjid, Aberdeen Bazaar.
The Masjid Committee lauded the efforts of TSG Foundation for coming forward to help people during hard times. The water was supplied under the supervision of Social Worker Mr. Sadab Riaz (Sunny)

Port Blair, May 16: Maa Foundation NGO and Udaan NGO celebrated mother’s day at Attam Pahad Old age home in the presence of Zareena Bibi (CDPO Urban project) and distributed some essential things to old age persons.