New Delhi, Sep 21: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Monday said that it has warned citizens against the misuse of SIM cards and telecom identifiers, stating that violations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 can attract imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.

The advisory follows the detection of a fraudulent SIM issuance racket in Chhattisgarh, where mobile connections were activated using citizens’ identity documents without their knowledge or consent.

According to the DoT, a Point of Sale (PoS) agent in the state was found to have activated 25 SIM cards using identity documents belonging to citizens without their knowledge or consent.

Acting swiftly, the Department, in coordination with telecom service providers, blacklisted the PoS agent, permanently preventing the outlet from issuing mobile connections in the future.

“Recent cybercrime investigations have brought to light some instances in which a Point of Sale (PoS) agent in Chhattisgarh was found to have illegally activated 25 mobile connections (SIMs) using citizens’ identification documents without their knowledge or consent,” the Ministry of Communications said.

The 25 mobile numbers were subsequently examined through the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), a system developed by the DoT to detect suspicious telecom activity. Mobile connections identified as potentially fraudulent were subjected to re-verification, and those that failed the verification process were deactivated.

Issuing a public advisory, the DoT reiterated that fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecom identifiers and tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers are serious offences under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The Department stated that such violations can lead to imprisonment of up to three years along with financial penalties that may extend to Rs 50 lakh.

The advisory comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime, digital fraud and other unlawful activities.

With mobile connectivity and digital services expanding rapidly across the country, authorities have emphasised the need for strict compliance with telecom regulations to protect citizens and maintain the integrity of communication networks.

New Delhi, Sep 21: Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, has said that she looks forward to meeting External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar this week and discuss the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

“The Canada-India bilateral relationship is growing and the conclusion of the CEPA before the end of the year is key to our overall strategy. I look forward to speaking with @DrSJaishankar this week during @UN high level week,” Anand posted on X.

Last week, EAM Jaishankar spoke with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, holding discussions on bilateral cooperation as well as the situation in Ukraine. “Good to speak with FM Anita Anand of Canada this evening, on our bilateral cooperation as well as on the Ukraine situation,” EAM Jaishankar stated on X.

Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had a productive meeting here last week with Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, Canada, here on advancing the CEPA.

“I just finished round four of trade negotiations with my team in India. These negotiations require sustained, face-to-face cooperation, and I look forward to meeting with Minister Goyal again in the coming weeks as we continue to build momentum toward a CEPA agreement,” Sidhu posted on X.

Canada and India had $30.8 billion in two-way trade in 2024. Our goal is to more than double that to $70 billion by 2030.

“From agriculture and agri-food to energy, critical minerals, AI and tech, aerospace, and defence, a CEPA can open more doors for Canadian businesses in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets,” said Sidhu.

Both sides reaffirmed “our leadership’s commitment to expedite negotiations and conclude CEPA at the earliest, unlocking new opportunities across trade in goods, services, and investment, among others,” Goyal posted on X.

The minister further stated he is confident that an early conclusion of India-Canada CEPA will help realise our shared vision of significantly increasing bilateral trade and deepening the India-Canada economic partnership for mutual benefit.

Guwahati, Sep 20: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday laid the foundation stone for Adani Power Limited’s 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant at Chapar in Dhubri district, marking one of the largest private investments in the state’s history.

The project, which entails an investment of around Rs 48,000 crore, is expected to significantly boost Assam’s power generation capacity while creating large-scale employment opportunities.

According to the company, the plant is likely to generate up to 20,000 jobs during the construction phase and around 5,000 permanent and indirect jobs once it becomes operational.

The foundation stone ceremony was attended by senior state government officials, industry representatives, community leaders and Adani Group Director Jeet Adani.

The Chapar thermal power project forms a major component of the Adani Group’s broader Rs 63,000-crore investment plan in Assam’s power sector.

The plant is scheduled to be commissioned in phases beginning in December 2030 and will comprise four units of 800 MW each. It will use ultra-supercritical technology designed to improve efficiency while incorporating modern environmental safeguards.

In his address at the event, Chief Minister Sarma said Assam is rapidly emerging as an energy hub for the Northeast and that several large energy projects are currently under development in the state. He described the Chapar project as a major outcome of the investment commitments made during the Advantage Assam Investor Summit 2.0.

“With an investment of nearly Rs 48,000 crore, this project will constitute one of the largest single investments ever made in Assam,” he stated.

Jeet Adani said the thermal power project marks the beginning of a new chapter in Assam’s development journey. “The project will also create jobs and open up opportunities for local contractors, suppliers and businesses. We are proud to invest in Assam and be part of the state’s economic growth,” he noted.

Highlighting the Group’s wider plans in the state, Jeet Adani said investments exceeding Rs 80,000 crore across power, aviation and cement sectors are already translating into projects on the ground.