[Newsbits] 5-11.09.2024: AI Tokens, AI Treaty & more
On September 4, 2024, Rajasthan’s BJP government approved 33% reservation for women in police jobs by amending the State Police Subordinate Service Rules of 1989. This move, fulfilling an election promise, aims to enhance gender equality and improve the handling of women’s issues within law enforcement. It also opens up more job opportunities for women. While the Congress opposition raised concerns about corruption in the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), the government defended its position. Additionally, the Cabinet addressed other issues like pensions for specially abled children, job reservations for athletes, and approvals for solar power projects.
India's BioE3 policy, launched in 2024, promotes sustainable biotechnology to reduce waste and encourage eco-friendly industrial practices. The policy aims to position India as a leader in the biomanufacturing sector, expected to grow to ld-alert-4 trillion in value. The policy will create biomanufacturing hubs, develop bio-based products like animal-free dairy, bioplastics, and carbon capture technologies, and support research and skill development in biotechnology. Fifteen government departments will collaborate to ensure its implementation, with a focus on sectors like medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
On September 4, 2024, India and South Africa signed a submarine rescue cooperation agreement, aimed at improving maritime safety by enabling the Indian Navy to assist South African submarines during emergencies using its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). This agreement followed the 2023 accident of the South African submarine SAS Manthatisi, emphasizing the need for better safety measures. India’s DSRVs, capable of diving up to 650 meters, have been used in regional collaborations, strengthening security in the Indian Ocean. The partnership enhances preparedness and reinforces bilateral cooperation on maritime safety.
The Assam Cabinet, in September 2024, approved 57 out of 67 recommendations by the Biplab Sarma Commission to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, aiming to protect the identity and rights of the Assamese people. This decision strengthens constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to preserve Assamese culture. A Group of Ministers will collaborate with stakeholders like AASU to implement the recommendations by April 2025. Constitutional amendments, including changes to Article 371-B, are also proposed to provide further protection. Some areas, like the Sixth Schedule and Barak Valley, require local approval for implementation.
India launched the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack in 2024, a blockchain initiative led by MeitY to improve public services and enhance digital trust through Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS). The platform includes components like NBFLite for startups and Praamaanik for mobile app verification. Supported by institutions like C-DAC and IIT Hyderabad, the initiative focuses on improving transparency, security, and scalability. The National Blockchain Framework (NBF), launched in 2021, addresses governance challenges and promotes research, aiming to build skilled talent and advance blockchain technology in both public and private sectors.
Researchers from the S.N. Bose National Centre for Astrophysics in India have discovered a new graviton-induced uncertainty relation that bridges classical gravity and quantum mechanics. Gravitons, hypothetical particles thought to carry the force of gravity, generate gravitational noise, suggesting that gravity may have quantum properties. This discovery offers insights into quantum gravity, especially in extreme environments like black holes. The findings, published in 2024, mark a significant step toward understanding how gravity behaves at both large and small scales, potentially reshaping our understanding of the universe.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly will introduce Zero Hour, a parliamentary practice that allows members to raise urgent public issues outside the official agenda. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania announced the move, which both the government and opposition support, but with a focus on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure orderly discussions. The government stresses the need for structure, while the opposition advocates for fair participation. A proposed one-hour duration aims to provide sufficient time for pressing concerns, and SOPs are being crafted to ensure smooth implementation of the practice.
The 2024 Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable (CSAR) in Paris, held on September 6, 2024, at UNESCO headquarters, gathers global science advisors to improve international science policies. Led by Ajay Kumar Sood (India) and Lidia Brito (UNESCO), the event focuses on fostering open science, reducing knowledge asymmetry, and building science advisory capacity. With participation from 28 countries and six organizations, the event aims to enhance cooperation in science, promote transparency, and address global knowledge gaps. South Africa is expected to take the lead in future initiatives to strengthen global science advisory systems.
The US, EU, and UK are set to sign the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law, a landmark treaty establishing global rules for AI development. The treaty aims to ensure AI respects human rights, safeguards democracy, and provides legal support for AI-related violations. Based on a risk-based framework, it involves accountability for both government and private sector AI use. While lacking strict enforcement tools, the treaty aligns with global AI regulatory efforts, such as the European AI Act, and seeks to foster international cooperation on safe, transparent AI technology.
ANIIDCO, established in 1978, is managing a ₹72,000 crore infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, including the construction of a trans-shipment port, airport, and power plants. While this project aims to boost development, concerns about ANIIDCO's capacity have emerged, given its modest financial performance and delays in hiring specialists. Environmental oversight has been questioned, with allegations of conflicts of interest due to overlapping roles within the organization. Historical figures like Lt Gen A.K. Singh have recommended bringing in outside experts to ensure proper management and environmental protection.
If you like this post, please share your feedback in the comments section below so that we will upload more posts like this.
Responses