New Delhi: A parliamentary committee is set to recommend to the government that it should consider imposing age-restrictions for social media platforms, a suggestion that will give a legislative boost to the demand to limit children’s exposure at a time when countries around the world are pushing for the idea. The committee has urged the government to limit social media exposure for children, although it did not specify any age group, but its suggestion appears to be targeted towards children. This comes amid a growing demand inside India, including state governments, to ban SM platforms for minors below a certain age. Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by BJP People with knowledge of the matter said that MP Nishikant Dubey has accepted its report and it is likely to be presented in Parliament on Monday. It has also urged the government to consider bringing a comprehensive law to prevent misuse of Artificial Intelligence on the lines of stringent and binding laws implemented in many countries. Advocating for a comprehensive law to prevent misuse of Artificial Intelligence, the panel cited its deployment for financial fraud and intimidation in addition to deepfake audio and videos to support its suggestions, while also acknowledging the government’s steps to prevent such incidents and protect innocent people, especially women and children. At committee meetings, members cutting across party lines have flagged the growing threat of cyber crimes, which have robbed people of their life savings in several cases that have made national headlines, and called for stringent counter-measures. Currently, such cases fall under the provisions of the Indian Justice Code, an omnipresent set of criminal laws, and the IT Act. “The committee is of the opinion that AI should be used ethically and responsibly,” the panel said. It has been explained to the Committee that many countries of the world have already made stringent and binding laws to prevent misuse of Artificial Intelligence. It urges the government to explore the possibility of a comprehensive law to prevent misuse of AI and also explore whether age restrictions for certain platforms could be an option to protect people from misuse of AI.” Official sources said the reference to some platforms is to social media and its adverse effects on children. Although there is a recognition within the government on the issue, it has so far limited itself to expressing concern and calling for consensus on how to deal with the challenge. Two Indian states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, have taken a stand on banning use by children of a certain age group, but no nationwide policy exists yet to restrict social media use. Australia has become the first country to ban social media accounts for children under 16, leading to calls for similar policies in other countries, and several European countries are now in the midst of creating legislation. The panel said efficient use of AI will help solve “humanity’s problems” and help common people through its integration in health care, education, agriculture, energy, industry and infrastructure creation. It has urged the Ministry of Electronics and IT to work towards popularizing it in schools, colleges, academic research and lower standards of PhD and setting up data centers and AI labs across the country besides encouraging specialized studies and courses in AI.

Kolkata: West Bengal’s second supplementary voter list was published around 11 pm on Friday night, although there is little clarity on how many of the 12 lakh names included in it have cleared the judicial scrutiny.as it happened then Election Commission When the first supplementary roll was released around midnight last Monday, CEO Manoj Aggarwal had more questions than answers. “About 37 lakh of the 60 lakh pending cases have been disposed of so far. After receiving the list from Calcutta HC, it will take 4-6 hours for the Election Commission to process it and upload it on our server,” he said in the afternoon.

New Delhi: Pilots flying VVIP aircraft, including Z-plus category SPG protectees, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Cabinet ministers, Chief Justice of India, Chief Ministers and Governors, have now been given the right to refuse to fly if it is not safe to do so for any reason.Following the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others in a small plane crash this January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued a new set of “guidelines for carriage of central, state and other dignitaries by aircraft”.The new rules state, “…the flight crew should not be put under undue pressure to undertake the flight, which could affect the safety of operations. Any last minute changes to the planned flight due to VIP requirements should be made only through the management of the organization and not directly with the crew.”Furthermore, the guidelines also state that only well-maintained aircraft or helicopters, in which the last reported fault has been rectified, and very experienced pilots, shall operate such flights.Noting that VVIPs frequently use air travel in “(small) aircraft” and helicopters for election campaigning and other purposes, the DGCA said, “Analysis of earlier accidents/incidents involving aircraft operations at airstrips/temporary helipads and during election flights have often revealed violations of instructions and security was jeopardized. It is necessary to ensure the highest standards of safety for operation of such flights.” Adequate measures should be taken by all concerned.“The move is aimed at saving pilots from pressure as politicians often insist on flying to public meetings even in low light.A charter operator for decades said, “These new rules make it possible for us to refuse to operate flights to VIPs if it is not safe to do so. Over my many years, I have gotten into trouble myself for pointing out that it may not be safe to operate flights for any number of reasons, such as weather. Now that we are responsible for maintaining the aircraft and obtaining landing clearance, the responsibility for safe flight rests on everyone on board the aircraft. This new rulebook makes it completely clear.“Now DGCA has issued new instructions making it mandatory for VVIPs to have twin-engine aircraft with a minimum crew of two and good operational capability.It also says that 24 hours before the flight, state governments, public sector undertakings, aircraft operators and pilots will have to ensure the availability of a suitable helipad or airstrip for landing. Furthermore, district authorities are required to issue landing permission or no objection certificate before an aircraft can land at a remote or uncontrolled airport or helipad. The state and district administration will have to provide information about the location of the helipad or airstrip along with coordinates, security, fire and rescue arrangements.