New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today emphasised the importance of using latest available technology to streamline handling and resolution of grievances related to patents and trademarks to reach global standards in this regard. The Prime Minister, who chaired his 21st interaction through PRAGATI – the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, noted the improvement in performance, asked the concerned officers to work towards further expediting the processing of patent and trademark applications. Officials, who explained the steps taken towards speeding up the grant of patents and trademarks, including enhanced manpower, were told by the Prime Minister to streamline the process.
Modi reviewed the progress of nine vital infrastructure projects worth more than Rs. 56,000 crore in the railway, road, power and oil pipeline and health sectors, spread over several states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Punjab, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, and Kerala. The projects reviewed today, include the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and construction of four new AIIMS at Manglagiri in Andhra Pradesh, Kalyani in West Bengal, Nagpur in Maharashtra, and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Reviewing the progress of the Smart Cities Mission, he appreciated the participation of cities in the challenge route. ‘The challenge before everyone is now to ensure implementation and expeditious completion of the work in the 90 identified cities, with high quality,’ he added.
Reviewing the progress of the Forest Rights Act, the Prime Minister reiterated the importance of using space technology to determine the rights of tribal communities, and settle claims expeditiously. He said that apprehensions with regard to GST have been proven to be unfounded, and a smooth transition had happened. He asked all Chief Secretaries to further boost efforts to increase registration under GST, and to achieve a quantum jump in this regard within a month. On Government e-Marketplace (GeM), he said the portal had ‘improved transparency’ and reduced wasteful expenditure. He asked the Chief Secretaries of all states to give priority to GeM in government procurements, a release from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
