Latest news with #PDO


Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trai caps connectivity costs of public Wi-Fi providers
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: The telecom regulator has capped broadband connectivity costs of public Wi-Fi service providers at double the rates of home broadband services, setting aside all objections from telcos, with an aim to boost internet accessibility under the Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) intiative."Every service provider providing retail FTTH (wired) broadband services shall offer all of its retail FTTH broadband plans up to 200 Mbps to the PDOs ( public data offices , which offer Wi-Fi services) under the PM-WANI scheme, at tariff not exceeding twice the tariff applicable to the retail subscribers for the corresponding FTTH broadband plan of the bandwidth (capacity) offered," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said in its tariff order issued on move aims to significantly boost the number of public Wi-Fi hotspots under PM-WANI, which is nowhere near the target set at the launch of the scheme in 2020-creating 10 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022 and 50 million by on April 30, there were only 278,801 deployed PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots in the country. Trai said the proposed tariff framework takes into account prevailing market scenarios, current levels of adoption of PM-WANI service, and the potential future major objectives of the PM-WANI initiative include providing high-speed and affordable internet access in rural and underserved areas as well as in public spaces such as railway stations, banks and post shopkeepers, retailers and chaiwalas were encouraged to become public Wi-Fi providers, or PDOs, for last-mile internet delivery without the need of a permit or registration operators had argued that lowering broadband connectivity costs would allow PDOs to make unjustified profits, riding on telcos' expensive network infrastructure and denting their revenue. But the regulator has argued that the high rates demanded by telcos are the primary reason for low demand for PDO licences under the PM-WANI noted that in the name of commercial agreement, telecom and internet service providers often pushed public Wi-Fi providers to connect the access points using the expensive internet leased line (ILL), instead of the regular wired broadband connection, popularly called home tariff cap will apply to all fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) plans up to 200 Mbps offered by the service providers to the per Trai, the pricing framework has been designed to appropriately balance the interests of all stakeholders by ensuring affordability for small PDOs while also providing reasonable compensation for the broadband connection to the service providers.


Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman's Abraj expects revenue of $559mln from PDO rigs contract
Abraj Energy Services has signed a contract to provide six onshore drilling service rigs to state-run Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). Mobilisation will be carried out in stages starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, the company said in a statement to the Muscat Stock Exchange. Each rig has a firm six-year duration. The total expected revenue is OMR 215 million ($559.16 million), the statement said. Last month, the company signed a term sheet with Algeria's state-owned oil company Sonatrach to establish a joint venture specialising in integrated oilfield services (drilling, workover and well services). (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) ( Subscribe to our Projects' PULSE newsletter that brings you trustworthy news, updates and insights on project activities, developments, and partnerships across sectors in the Middle East and Africa.


Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Panchayat officials must improve efficiency: ZP CEO
Mandya: Taluk panchayat executive officers and panchayat development officers (PDOs) must perform their duties with efficiency, discipline, and integrity—earning recognition while avoiding public complaints, said zilla panchayat chief executive officer KR Nandini. Addressing a grievance redressal meeting for PDOs at Ambedkar Bhavan, Nandini emphasised the importance of self-satisfaction in public service and noted that several PDOs in the district were recognised for their exemplary work. To further encourage performance, she announced that PDOs' health will be assessed every six months, and those demonstrating exceptional work will receive awards in the presence of their families. 17,500 register for summer camp Citing the successful registration of 17,500 children for summer camps organised across all gram panchayats in the district, Nandini attributed the achievement to effective coordination between taluk panchayat executive officers and PDOs. She underscored the need for continued teamwork to serve the public efficiently. PDOs and panchayat staff were encouraged to openly share administrative concerns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Nandini directed that taluk panchayat executive officers should conduct monthly two-to-three-hour meetings with PDOs to listen to and resolve issues. She clarified the grievance escalation protocol: unresolved complaints at the taluk level should be forwarded to the district authorities. Additionally, PDO association office bearers have been tasked with organising regular meetings at both taluk and district levels. Nodal officers assigned to each taluk will be available every Monday and Thursday from 3 to 4pm at the district headquarters to hear public grievances. The IAS officer raised serious concerns over violations of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) rules in gram panchayats. She instructed PDOs to strictly follow the 60:40 ratio policy in planning and ensure that financial transactions during general meetings adhere to the financial code and KTPP norms. Prashanth Babu, president of Mandya district unit of the Karnataka State Panchayat Development Officers' Welfare Association (R), Bengaluru, commended the district CEO for initiating a platform to address PDOs' challenges. He mentioned delayed salary payments across taluks.


Time of India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Villagers block GP office with thorns over MGNREGA irregularities
1 2 Manvi (Raichur): Residents of Sunkeshwar village in the taluk have blocked the gram panchayat office with thorny bushes since Saturday to voice their concerns over alleged irregularities in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. They claimed that the panchayat development officer (PDO) and other officials disregarded their numerous complaints regarding the shortage of drinking water. "GP staff never come to our village. All operations are managed from Manvi town. What is the point of having a PDO who ignores the community?" one protester remarked. The villagers assert that the panchayat is ineffective and exists merely on paper. Residents also accused the panchayat of significant fraud under the MGNREGA scheme. They alleged that counterfeit job cards were issued, and falsified attendance records were created to embezzle govt funds amounting to crores of rupees. "In reality, no work was accomplished here. Yet records indicate everything is finished," expressed Chand Pasha, a villager, in frustration. Villagers further complained that their issues remain unaddressed because the panchayat staff operate from the town rather than the GP office in the village. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Frustrated by the persistent corruption and neglect, they chose to block the panchayat office and warned that if the authorities do not respond, they will intensify their protests. In response to the situation, panchayat development officer Nagabhushan Kamble stated, "The villagers are protesting because they insist that only legitimate labourers should be employed and compensated under the MGNREGA scheme. The blockade of the GP building occurred because I refused to disburse wages to someone else under the guise of labourers."
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Eastern Pacific hurricane season intensifies, with more storms on the horizon
The eastern Pacific hurricane is heating up — and it's only just begun. The season, which runs from May 15 to Nov. 30, has already produced its first named storm: Tropical Storm Alvin. Alvin developed at the end of May and reached gusts of up to 95 km/h, but forecasters believe it won't be alone for long. CHECK OUT: The U.S. National Hurricane Center is monitoring three disturbances south of Mexico, with at least two expected to intensify into named storms during the next 48 hours. If they do, say hello to Barbara and Cosme. Storms tend to develop earlier when the environment is ready. Lower wind shear—or less disruption in wind patterns—is allowing tropical systems to organize and strengthen. A neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) keeps sea surface temperatures close to normal. DON'T MISS: This balanced setup makes it difficult to predict how intense the season will be, but cooler waters in parts of the Pacific — caused by a negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) — may help to calm things down later. According to NOAA, the Pacific basin is expected to see 12 to 18 named storms, with five to 10 reaching hurricane strength. Of those, two to five could become major hurricanes — Category 3 or higher. In comparison, last year saw 14 named storms, five hurricanes and three major hurricanes. However, it still looks small in comparison to the record-breaking 1992 season, which saw 27 named storms, 16 hurricanes and 10 major hurricanes. SEE ALSO: While the outlook is not dire, forecasters say it's still important to remain alert, particularly as conditions can change quickly. For now, all eyes are focused on the Pacific and what the coming days may bring. Thumbnail credit to Tyler Hamilton, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.