PERT : A Rose by Any Other Name ?

 

Article link:

Read the full article here

---

Extract from the article:

 

In a significant move to enhance transparency and efficiency, all infrastructure projects in Maharashtra will now be assigned a unique identification marker.

 

This decision, announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis following a cabinet meeting, aims to streamline project management and reduce duplication of efforts.

 

The introduction of these unique IDs is expected to revolutionize the monitoring and prioritization of projects, ensuring a more organized and accountable system for infrastructure development in the state.

---

My Take:

Pert for Digital Dashboard

 

"The implementation of unique IDs for infrastructure projects in Maharashtra resonates with the concept of a digital dashboard suggested in one of my earlier blogs.

 

This initiative not only streamlines project tracking but also aligns with the idea of reducing dependency on government officials and contractors.

 

By employing project planning tools effectively, such as those proposed in the digital dashboard concept, accountability and efficiency in project execution can be significantly enhanced."

---

This May Interest You

 

"The recent directive to assign unique IDs to infrastructure projects in Maharashtra reflects the ongoing efforts to create an efficient decision support system, as discussed in my previous blog. The emphasis on transparency and accountability in project management, highlighted through this new identification system, aligns with the overarching goal of curbing scams and improving project outcomes.

 

By leveraging technology to monitor and prioritize projects, the state can enhance its governance processes and ensure effective implementation of developmental initiatives."

---

Call to Action:

 

To Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis:

 

As you continue to spearhead initiatives for enhancing project management in Maharashtra, I urge you to integrate the use of advanced project planning tools and digital platforms to further strengthen transparency and accountability in infrastructure development.

 

By leveraging technology to its fullest potential, you can set new benchmarks for efficient governance and sustainable growth.

---

With regards,

 

Hemen Parekh

 

www.My-Teacher.in  /  04 Jan 2024

Petrol or Diesel ? Announce Yourself

 

 

 

Article link:   Read more

 

 

Extract from the article:

 

The Supreme Court is planning to introduce pan-India tags for vehicles to distinguish between petrol and diesel types using color-coded stickers. Specifically, blue stickers for petrol vehicles, orange for diesel vehicles, and orange stickers for petrol vehicles. This initiative traces back to August 2018 when the Supreme Court first proposed hologram-based stickers. The move aims to enhance environmental consciousness and regulate vehicle emissions across the nation.

 

 

My Take:

 

SC Takes Cognizance: Only after 9 years

 

In hindsight, I had advocated for a policy shift towards cleaner fuel vehicles years ago. The recent push by the Supreme Court to phase out heavy diesel vehicles aligns with my long-standing belief in exploring alternative fuel resources to combat air pollution nationwide."

 

 

Transport : an Integrated Logistic Plan ?.. ………….. 20 Nov 2018 “

 

All Vehicle manufacturers will be mandated to embedded the vehicles with FASTag RFID sensors and other sensors , listed at :

Ø Internet  of  Vehicles  [ 04 March 2017  ]

 

From these sensors , NaviC will be able to pick up DATA re : 

Energy Source ( Petrol or Diesel ) 

Type of vehicle –

 Capacity – 

Manufacturing date – 

Purpose – 

Emission levels  etc ,

 from all vehicles – ships – planes – drones etc

 

Trucks transporting GOODS , ( and embedded with RFID FASTags into all carried packages ) will enable NaviC to integrate with e-way bill system , as described in :

Ø   A New Way to E-Way ?  [  15  July  2017  ]

 

 

 

 

Call to Action:

 

To the Ministry of Transport and concerned authorities, I urge swift and decisive action in implementing the Supreme Court's proposed national policy to phase out heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Let's prioritize clean air and a pollution-free environment for all citizens by accelerating the transition to cleaner fuel vehicles nationwide.

 

With regards,

 

Hemen Parekh

 

www.My-Teacher.in / 04 Jan 2014

Protecting Children from Social Media

 

Article link:

Digital Personal Data Protection Act: Social media users under 18 to require parental consent

Extract from the article:

The proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Act in India brings forth significant changes for social media users, especially those under 18. Key highlights include the necessity of parental consent for underage users to access social media platforms.

 

Additionally, the regulations mandate the deletion of inactive user data after three years and require reporting data breaches within a tight timeframe of 72 hours. Furthermore, the Act hints at the potential reintroduction of data localisation provisions for specific types of personal data.

 

The Act aims to address critical aspects such as user protection, data security, and privacy concerns within the digital realm.

 

By stipulating the need for parental consent, the legislation seeks to enhance child safety online and create a more secure environment for young social media users. Moreover, the Act's provisions for data breach reporting underscore the importance of swift and transparent responses to cybersecurity incidents to safeguard user information effectively.

 

My Take:

Ashwini Vaishnaw's Insights:

 

Reflecting on my blog addressed to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, where I emphasized the importance of individual user data protection and social media accountability, it's heartening to see the strides taken through the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.

 

The Act's focus on making social media companies answerable aligns with the sentiment I expressed earlier. The provisions concerning user harm regulation, child safety, and privacy echo the need for a comprehensive framework to ensure a secure digital space for all users.

 

Sundar Pichai's Stance:

 

In my blog discussing Sundar Pichai and the evolution of data privacy, the current legislation's emphasis on the deletion of inactive user data after a specified period resonates with the idea of minimizing data retention to strengthen user privacy.

 

Pichai's vision of moving beyond cookie-based tracking aligns with the Act's approach to enhancing data security without compromising user experience. The Act's inclination towards data localization for specific user information reflects a growing global trend towards safeguarding sensitive data within national borders.

 

Call to Action:

 

To the policymakers involved in shaping the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, I urge a meticulous implementation that balances user protection with technological advancements. It is crucial to collaborate with stakeholders, including social media platforms, cybersecurity experts, and legal professionals, to ensure the Act's effective enforcement.

 

Moreover, continuous monitoring and periodic revisions are essential to address emerging challenges in the digital landscape and uphold the Act's objectives of data security and user privacy.

---

With regards,

 

Hemen Parekh

 

www.My-Teacher.in  /  04 Jan 2024

Unified Agricultural Market

 

 

Context :

India Unveils Draft Policy for Unified National Agricultural Market

 

Extract :

 

The Indian government has released a comprehensive draft policy framework to establish a unified national market for agricultural produce, aiming to address long-standing challenges in agri-trade. 

This move comes nearly three years after the repeal of farm laws following nationwide protests.

The draft, prepared under the chairmanship of Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary (Marketing) in the Ministry of Agriculture, suggests transformative reforms to harmonise agricultural marketing practices across states. 

 

 

My Take :

 

Over the past few years, I have sent some 42 e-mails in this regard to our Cabinet Ministers. Here is that list :

My Agriculture Related Blogs ( up to 02 Jan 2025 )

 

I am glad that this news report mentions some aspects which indicate partial incorporation of my past suggestions in the Draft Policy . For a quick / easy overview , you may want to go through following table

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in  /  www.HemenParekh.ai  /  04 Jan 2025

 

Framework of Unified Agricultural Market

Aspect	My Past Related Blogs on This Aspect (Hyperlinks)	Date	Year	My Remarks
A single licensing system	1. Agriculture in China   2. Granaries are full? No, overflowing!	02 June 04 Feb	2011,   2012	Highlighted the need for unified systems to simplify processes and reduce redundancy in licensing procedures.
Establishment of private wholesale markets	1. Garbage is Green Gold {3G}   2. Thank You, Shri Radha Mohan Singhji	10 Feb   23 Dec	2016,   2018	Advocated for private sector involvement to promote efficiency and better price realization for farmers.
Enabling direct procurement from farm-gates by processors, exporters, and bulk buyers	1. Influence farmers and win Votes?   2. A Grass-Root Revolution	05 Feb   11 Mar	2019,   2019	Emphasized the importance of direct farm-gate procurement to streamline supply chains and benefit both farmers and buyers.
Declaring warehouses, silos, and cold storage facilities as “deemed markets,” allowing private e-trading platforms	1. Locusts are invading!   2. Selling Farm Laws before selling Farm Crops	24 May   24 Sept	2020,   2020	Suggested leveraging private e-platforms for efficient inventory management and enhanced market access.
Introducing a single market fee applicable state-wide	1. Thank You, Shri Tomarji   2. How about introducing a PLI for agricultural produce?	28 Nov   08 Dec	2020,   2020	Proposed rationalizing market fees for uniformity and reduced financial burden on stakeholders.
Rationalising market fees and commission charges to reduce financial burdens on farmers and traders.	1. e-NAM; reimagined to resolve farmer agitation   2. Adding Fodder to Fire? or, just calculated mischief?	10 Dec   17 Dec	2020,   2020	Focused on reducing financial overheads by reforming fees and commissions in agricultural markets.
Seamless national agricultural market	1. Congratulations, Shri P K Purwarji   2. Kisan Sabha gets Constructive	21 Dec   20 Feb	2020,   2021	Called for the establishment of a cohesive national agricultural market to remove state-level barriers.
Empowered Agricultural Marketing Reform Committee	1. Digital Farming?   2. Finally Announced: Agri Infra Fund to APMC	15 Apr   08 July	2021,   2021	Recommended a reform-focused committee to address challenges and ensure effective implementation of policies.
Promote consensus-building among states for uniform reforms	1. “Tractor-Pulled” to “Technology-Pushed”   2. Agri Reforms: an Ongoing Process	20 Sept   20 Nov	2021,     2021	Advocated for cooperative efforts among states to create a uniform framework for agricultural reforms.
Potential national law for agricultural marketing and standardised market fees	1. Point: Counter-Point // MSP: MPQ   2. Dear Kisan Leaders / Shri Tomarji: It is time to Shake Hands	28 Nov   07 Dec	2021,   2021	Suggested the enactment of a national law to streamline agricultural marketing and ensure fair practices.

 

 

Pension a/c for children

 

Starting early: Pension a/c for children

Extract from the Article:

In a recent development, Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced NPS Vatsalya, a novel pension scheme tailored for minors to nurture long-term financial stability.

This initiative aims to cultivate early saving habits among children and utilize compounding to build significant future wealth.

The NPS Vatsalya scheme represents a forward-looking approach to financial planning, emphasizing the importance of starting early to secure a stable financial future for minors.

My Take:

How to Universalize Social Security?

Reflecting on my blog from 2017, where I highlighted the need to expand social security coverage beyond traditional schemes like EPF and PPF, the introduction of NPS Vatsalya for minors aligns with the idea of broadening the reach of pension benefits.

By encouraging younger individuals to save early through innovative schemes, the government can lay a foundation for enhanced financial security in the long term. The shift towards digital enrollment, as seen in the Atal Pension Yojana, signifies a proactive step in making pension schemes accessible to a wider population, which is crucial for ensuring comprehensive social security coverage.

Universal Minimum Pension?

In my blog post discussing the concept of a universal minimum pension, the recommendation by the Economic Advisory Council to introduce a non-contributory pension scheme resonates with the broader goal of providing financial security to all segments of society.

The proposal to leverage budgetary resources for pension provisioning and enhance the financial sustainability of existing schemes like APY reflects a strategic approach towards inclusive social security.

The emphasis on Direct Benefit Transfers for pension disbursement underscores the importance of efficient and transparent delivery mechanisms, ensuring that pensioners receive their entitlements promptly.

Call to Action:

To Nirmala Sitharaman and policymakers, I urge a continued focus on enhancing social security frameworks by embracing innovative pension solutions tailored to different age groups.

By building on existing schemes and incorporating suggestions for universalizing pension benefits, the government can strengthen financial resilience across society.

Let's work towards a future where every individual, regardless of age, can access a robust pension system that provides security and stability in retirement.

 

With warm regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in