India News
WhatsApp gets green signal from NPCI to launch its payment service via UPI in India
Messaging platform WhatsApp has finally got the nod from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for starting its payment service in the country. NPCI has said that WhatsApp can expand its UPI user base in a graded manner beginning with a maximum of 20 million users.
Messaging platform WhatsApp has finally got the nod from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for starting its payment service in the country. NPCI has said that WhatsApp can expand its UPI user base in a graded manner beginning with a maximum of 20 million users.
Before making the announcement, NPCI made a big change in its Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The change puts a cap on single third parties such as WhatsApp, PhonePe and Google Pay which can now handle only 30% of overall UPI transaction volumes.
The Facebook-owned messaging application has been operating it UPI-based payment system called WhatsApp Pay in Beta since the year 2018. However, due to the regulatory hurdles the app’s pilot project has been operational with only a small number of users.
Since demonetisation, digital payments have become very common in India. The most popular UPI based payment apps in the country are Paytm, PhonePe, GooglePay and AmazonPay. Once WhatsPay Pay begins operating with more number of users, it can put up stiff competition for these apps owing to its large user base of more than 400 million. According to reports, digital payments markets in India is expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2023. India is World’s largest market for WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook is looking to expand its user base further by introducing new features.
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Earlier this year, Facebook bought a 9.99 per cent stake in Jio Platforms owned by Mukesh Ambani. Experts were of the opinion that the company’s partnership was aimed at understanding India’s regulatory environment better. Some of Facebook’s earlier efforts at business were blocked by regulators which included a program that offered free internet access to users for visiting a limited number of websites.
India News
Indian High Commission, consulates facing threats, Canada’s allegations politically motivated: MEA
Arindam Bagchi further underscored that it is Canada that needs to look into its growing reputation of being a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime.
Amidst escalating tension between India and Canada, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that the allegations by Canada seems to be politically motivated, adding that there’s a degree of prejudice. Diplomatic standoff between both the countries broke out after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday claimed that his country’s security agencies were investigating a link between the Indian government and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Briefing the media regarding the aforesaid allegation, Arindam Bagchi noted that no specific information was shared by Canada on the Nijjar case. He added that the Indian government had shared specific information concerning criminal activities by individuals on Canadian soil but no actions were taken regarding the same.
Arindam Bagchi further underscored that it is Canada that needs to look into its growing reputation of being a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime. He asserted that the security situation is owing to the inaction by the Canadian government. He also claimed that there are elements linked to organized crime, terrorists, and extremists who are on a free run and politically condoned.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson also claimed that the Indian High Commission and consulates are facing security threats in Canada and therefore cannot process visa applications temporarily. He noted that all categories of visas are suspended and that the issue is not about travel to India but about incitement of violence and inaction by the Canadian government. Those who have valid visas and OCI cards can travel freely, he continued.
He conveyed that the Indian government has informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in their mutual diplomatic presence. Notably, in a meeting that was held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada, promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship.
India News
There is still a chance to send the Women’s Reservation Bill to the Select Committee for including caste quota: RJD MP Manoj Jha
Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha suggested sending the bill to the Select Committee for including the Schedule Caste, Schedules Tribes, Other Backward Castes in the Bill.
Speaking on the Women’s Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha, the Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha, said there is still a chance to send the bill to the Select Committee for including the Schedule Caste, Schedules Tribes, Other Backward Castes in the Bill as well.
The Rajya Sabha MP said it would have been a revolutionary step if the 33 percent reservation would not be from the existing quota but it should be a separate quota.
He said the government has created a provision to empower women who come from SC, ST, and OBC communities. There is not much for the welfare of women in the religious text, he added. RJD MP Jha suggested the Modi-led BJP government to take a stand and work for the welfare of the women without any hesitation, he further added.
Speaking on surname privilege, he said people often overlook their privilege. He said his surname is a privilege. He added our surname has afforded us privilege. Consider those surnames that lack such advantages. In this country, a name may hold little significance, but everything lies in the surname, the Rajya Sabha MP said.
Early in the day, he said the government doesn’t have a clear intention on this bill. There’s no road map and this bill is being passed in Lok Sabha. You have rejected and excluded a big population. PM Modi and his team need to understand that the discussion is not happening on the passing of the bill but on OBC. He further raised questions on OBC not being included in the bill. He said government should revise their position once again or else people have other options to change their position and their bill, Manoj Jha said.
Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav has also spoken on the Women’s Reservation Bill and said the reservation should be ensured for backward women and minority women. No one knows when it will be implemented because it will be implemented after the census and delimitation, he added.
India News
PM Modi to lay foundation stone of International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi on September 23: PMO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on September 23 to lay the foundation stone of an International Cricket Stadium.
The Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on September 23 to lay the foundation stone of an International Cricket Stadium around 1:30 pm.
The PMO also said that PM Modi will also reach Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre where he will participate in the closing ceremony of Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav 2023 around 3:15 pm.
PM Modi will also inaugurate 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalaya built across Uttar Pradesh, during the programme, the Prime Minister’s Office added.
The Varanasi International Cricket Stadium is a step towards realising PM Modi’s vision to develop a modern and world-class sports infrastructure. PM Modi is a Lok Sabha MP from Varanasi.
As per the PMO statement, the International Cricket Stadium will be built in Ganjari, Rajatalab. This will be developed at the cost of Rs 450 crore and will be in more than 30 acres of area.
It has been revealed that the world-class stadium will take inspiration from Lord Shiva for its thematic architecture. The designs will be developed for crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped floodlights and ghat steps-based seating arrangements for the attendees.
According to the statement, the total capacity of the stadium to accommodate people will be 30,000 spectators.
To provide the best quality education, 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalaya, which is basically built for the children of labourers, construction workers and those orphaned due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same day. The project has been developed at the cost of Rs 1,115 crore with an aim to make quality education accessible for these children and support their holistic development.
Every school under this scheme has been constructed in an area of 10-15 acres with a classroom, recreational area, sports grounds, mess, a mini auditorium, hotel complex, and also residential flats for the staff members. Such facilities will help children get quality education.
