(19 December 2022) Government Data Roundup: Smuggling in India Report, TRAI Papers, Year-End Reviews Among the Data/Reports Released Recently.
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
December 19, 2022
The eighteenth edition of the fortnightly government data roundup covers reports released by TRAI, Department of Revenue Intelligence, RBI, and the year-end reviews by various ministries.
As 2022 draws to a close, different ministries have begun releasing their respective year-end reviews. This year-end review is an annual publication that highlights key initiatives and achievements of the department or ministry in the past year. Apart from these, papers and reports published by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and the Reserve Bank of India are covered in this 18 edition of Factly’s fortnightly government data roundup. Key publications in the last fortnight from 02 December 2022 to 15 December 2022 have been covered in this story.
Results of RBI’s Forward Looking Surveys that are carried out on a regular basis were released in the last fortnight. These include results of the Consumer Confidence Survey, Inflation Expectations Survey of Households, and Survey of Professional Forecasters on Macroeconomic Indicators- Round 79. The details of forward-looking surveys have been discussed in the previous editions of the data roundup. Here are the updates on what the bi-monthly surveys have identified in the latest rounds:
Monthly Data on India’s International Trade in Services for the Month of October 2022
Brief about data and findings:
The Reserve Bank of India releases monthly data on India’s international trade in services. The latest such data released is for the month of October 2022. The value of exports and imports of services in terms of million US dollars is provided for October 2022 and the three months prior to it. However, it should be noted that the monthly data is provisional and might be revised when the Balance of Payments (BoP) data is released on a quarterly basis. The provisional data may give insights about trends until the complete and more accurate final data is released. Growth rates over the corresponding month of the previous year which have been revised based on the balance of payments statistics are also presented in the data.
According to RBI, India’s services imports in October 2022 were worth USD 13,493 Million and the exports were worth USD 25,375 Million. Compared to October 2021, the imports have increased by 15.9% and the exports have gone up by 24.6% in October 2022.
Smuggling in India report 2021-22
Brief about the report:
The 2021-22 ‘Smuggling in India Report’ highlights the trends, areas of concern, and the challenges involved in securing the country’s economic frontiers. The report summarizes the cumulative efforts and experiences of DRI in countering the smuggling of contrabands like gold, narcotics, cigarettes, currency, flora and fauna, as well as the detection of commercial frauds. It also captures the international cooperation and engagements helmed by DRI under the aegis of various bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties signed by Indian Customs with foreign Customs administrations.
Key Findings:
According to the report, the quantum of smuggling had gone up during the period in which the economic activities were gradually unlocked post-COVID-19 related lockdowns. Some statistics provided in the report are given below:
Consultation Paper on ‘Data Communication Services between Aircraft and Ground Stations provided by Organizations other than Airports Authority of India’
Brief about the paper:
Very High Frequency (VHF) is the International Telecommunication Union’s designation for the range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves (radio waves) from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. VHF data link services consist of the data for tracking the aircraft for the safety of flights.
Globally, there are two entities that provide data communications services between aircraft and ground stations- Société International de Télécommunications Aéronautique (SITA) & Collins Aerospace also known as Bird Consultancy Services in India.
Considering that VHF Data Link Services providing Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting (ACAR) service can be beneficial to track aircraft on a real-time basis and help investigations/search and rescue operations in the unfortunate event of an aviation disaster, the Department of Telecommunications has requested TRAI to provide recommendations on the following:
The consultation paper is seeking input from stakeholders in this regard. Written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper are invited from stakeholders by 09January 2023 and counter comments by 23 January 2023.
Recommendations on ‘Improving Telecom Connectivity/ Infrastructure in far-flung areas of Himachal Pradesh’
About the document and recommendations put forth:
The non-uniform terrain of Himachal Pradesh has led to poor telecom connectivity situation in some parts of the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. The report identified the districts of Lahaul & Spiti, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi of Himachal Pradesh to be the four worst affected revenue districts of the state. Based on the consultation with relevant stakeholders viz Department of Information Technology (DIT) of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Local State Government Officials, Telecom Service Providers, Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) and local consumer representatives, the following are some of the recommendations for addressing the digital divide in the state:
Year-End Reviews for 2022
The Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Electronics, and Information Technology (MeitY), & Ministry of Culture released the Year End Reviews so far.
Department of Food and Public Distribution
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Ministry of Culture
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