General Affairs
Here's Why You Should Not Eat Food Wrapped In A Newspaper
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Wrapping food items in newspaper is bad for your health as its ink has multiple bioactive materials with known negative health effects, FSSAI said on Friday.
"Wrapping food in newspapers is an unhealthy practice and the consumption of such food is injurious to health, even if the food has been cooked hygienically," the Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) said in an advisory.
"Printing inks may also contain harmful colours, pigments, binders, additives, and preservatives. Besides chemical contaminants, presence of pathogenic micro organisms in used newspapers also poses potential risk to human health," the advisory said.
The advisory also said that even paper/cardboard boxes made of recycled paper may be contaminated with harmful chemicals like phthalate which can cause digestive problems and also lead to severe toxicity.
"Older people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems are at a greater risk of acquiring cancer-related health complications, if they are exposed to food packed in such material," the advisory warned.
The advisory comes after Health Minister JP Nadda's directions to the food regulatory authority against the practice of wrapping and covering food items in newspapers in India.
Speaking in this regard JP Nadda said: "It has been observed that vendors have been using newspapers in packing and serving food, which is harmful. I urge the public to dissuade the vendors from doing so."
According to the advisory, the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/Union Territories will initiate systematic campaigns for generating awareness among all the stakeholders to discourage the use of newspapers for packing, serving and storing food items.
"Wrapping food in newspapers is an unhealthy practice and the consumption of such food is injurious to health, even if the food has been cooked hygienically," the Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) said in an advisory.
"Printing inks may also contain harmful colours, pigments, binders, additives, and preservatives. Besides chemical contaminants, presence of pathogenic micro organisms in used newspapers also poses potential risk to human health," the advisory said.
"Older people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems are at a greater risk of acquiring cancer-related health complications, if they are exposed to food packed in such material," the advisory warned.
The advisory comes after Health Minister JP Nadda's directions to the food regulatory authority against the practice of wrapping and covering food items in newspapers in India.
Speaking in this regard JP Nadda said: "It has been observed that vendors have been using newspapers in packing and serving food, which is harmful. I urge the public to dissuade the vendors from doing so."
According to the advisory, the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/Union Territories will initiate systematic campaigns for generating awareness among all the stakeholders to discourage the use of newspapers for packing, serving and storing food items.
President Pranab Mukherjee Launches Campaign To End Child Labour, Child Slavery
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President Pranab Mukherjee today marked his 81st birthday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by launching a campaign to end child labour, child slavery and violence against children.
Mr Mukherjee launched the '100 Million for 100 Million Campaign' organised by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi's Satyarthi Children's Foundation in which about 5,000 children participated.
The President said he was delighted to launch the campaign led by Mr Satyarthi from Rashtrapati Bhavan, "an institution which symbolises our Republic's commitment to democracy, pluralism and secularism".
He said despite the progress the world has made in science and technology, economic development and in other fields of human endeavour, there are still over a 100 million children who are "out of school". They are being denied their childhood and are facing exploitation in various ways.
"The world must realise without further delay that there can be no progress unless our children are safe, secure and unless they are provided the freedom and opportunity to become agents of change for the larger good of humanity. To ensure for them a bright, carefree and secure future, devoid of poverty, violence and want is our bounden duty," Mr Mukherjee said.
The President said this global effort to mobilise 100 million youth for shaping a better future of 100 million children who are less privileged is the beginning of a change which was long overdue.
"It is only appropriate that this campaign begins from India, which has one of the largest populations of youth in the world," he said.
Mr Mukherjee expressed hope that the campaign, as it runs for five years, will have a path-breaking impact on the lives of children across the globe.
He urged all children and young people from India and abroad to join this campaign and be the torchbearers for a vibrant, compassionate and happy world where every child is free from want, fear and exploitation.
The ambitious campaign aims to mobilise 100 million youth and children for 100 million underprivileged children across the world to end child labour, child slavery, violence against children and promote the right of every child to be safe, free and educated over the next five years.
Mr Mukherjee launched the '100 Million for 100 Million Campaign' organised by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi's Satyarthi Children's Foundation in which about 5,000 children participated.
He said despite the progress the world has made in science and technology, economic development and in other fields of human endeavour, there are still over a 100 million children who are "out of school". They are being denied their childhood and are facing exploitation in various ways.
"The world must realise without further delay that there can be no progress unless our children are safe, secure and unless they are provided the freedom and opportunity to become agents of change for the larger good of humanity. To ensure for them a bright, carefree and secure future, devoid of poverty, violence and want is our bounden duty," Mr Mukherjee said.
"It is only appropriate that this campaign begins from India, which has one of the largest populations of youth in the world," he said.
Mr Mukherjee expressed hope that the campaign, as it runs for five years, will have a path-breaking impact on the lives of children across the globe.
He urged all children and young people from India and abroad to join this campaign and be the torchbearers for a vibrant, compassionate and happy world where every child is free from want, fear and exploitation.
The ambitious campaign aims to mobilise 100 million youth and children for 100 million underprivileged children across the world to end child labour, child slavery, violence against children and promote the right of every child to be safe, free and educated over the next five years.
Eastern Naval Command Prepared For Cyclone 'Vardah'
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The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is all geared up to carry out relief operations, as cyclone 'Vardah' is likely to make landfall near Chennai on Monday, the Indian Navy said on Sunday.
Cyclone Vardah's severe cycle is around 450 km east-north-east of Chennai and is likely to make landfall north of Chennai in the afternoon or evening of December 12.
"In preparation for the relief efforts of very severe cyclone Vardah, the Eastern Naval Command has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance," said an Indian Navy statement.
"All operational ships have been readied and kept on standby to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, including evacuation, should the situation demand," the Indian Navy said.
The ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines and blankets, among other things, in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5,000 people.
"Additionally, 30 diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at a short notice," the navy said.
The Eastern Naval Command is closely monitoring the developments and the Flag Officer - Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area is in constant communication with the sate administration to augment rescue and relief operations.
Naval aircraft are also standing by at the naval air stations at Rajali and Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded.
On Friday, the forces evacuated over 2,300 tourists, including a dozen foreigners, by air and sea from Andaman & Nicobar islands, which was hit by the cyclone.
Authorities on Sunday sounded an alert in Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm Vardah over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a "very severe" one.
The storm is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast by Monday afternoon, said Indian Meteorological Department on Sunday.
According to the meteorological department, Vardah over west central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal moved further westwards and lay centred at 5.30 am over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 520 km east-southeast of Nellore, 490 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and 480 km east-northeast of Chennai.
Cyclone Vardah's severe cycle is around 450 km east-north-east of Chennai and is likely to make landfall north of Chennai in the afternoon or evening of December 12.
"In preparation for the relief efforts of very severe cyclone Vardah, the Eastern Naval Command has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance," said an Indian Navy statement.
The ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines and blankets, among other things, in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5,000 people.
"Additionally, 30 diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at a short notice," the navy said.
The Eastern Naval Command is closely monitoring the developments and the Flag Officer - Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area is in constant communication with the sate administration to augment rescue and relief operations.
Naval aircraft are also standing by at the naval air stations at Rajali and Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded.
On Friday, the forces evacuated over 2,300 tourists, including a dozen foreigners, by air and sea from Andaman & Nicobar islands, which was hit by the cyclone.
Authorities on Sunday sounded an alert in Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Tamil Nadu as cyclonic storm Vardah over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a "very severe" one.
The storm is likely to cross north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast by Monday afternoon, said Indian Meteorological Department on Sunday.
According to the meteorological department, Vardah over west central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal moved further westwards and lay centred at 5.30 am over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 520 km east-southeast of Nellore, 490 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam and 480 km east-northeast of Chennai.
After 5 Months At Home, Kashmir Children Get A Special Train Ride
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It was a day of joy for many children in Kashmir as the Railways started a fortnightly special train for them following the months-long unrest in the valley.
More than 600 boys and girls from various parts of Kashmir took the joyride. The children had been confined to their homes for more than four months due to the unrest, curfew and strikes.
A cheerful Chief Minister Mehbooba mufti who boarded the special train was seen singing with children from Baramulla to Banihal.
"The children of the state need more and more such occasions of outing," said Ms Mufti. She assured the children that the government will take steps so they have regular sports, extracurricular and adventure activities.
The Chief Minister, who came under severe criticism for handling the unrest since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, is trying to rebuild her image. Around 100 people, mostly teenagers, have been killed and over 12,000 were injured during the turmoil.
The Indian Railways' decision to start the special train service is aimed at helping Kashmiri children to overcome to stress and trauma they have gone though. Schools that remained closed for near five months due to strike calls by separatist groups are now opening on weekends.
Officials say Railway minister Suresh Prabhu decided to start a free fortnightly train service after request from the state government.
Kashmir is not linked to the Railway network with the rest of country as work on an ambitious rail project passing through treacherous Himalayan foothills may take several more years to complete.
More than 600 boys and girls from various parts of Kashmir took the joyride. The children had been confined to their homes for more than four months due to the unrest, curfew and strikes.
"The children of the state need more and more such occasions of outing," said Ms Mufti. She assured the children that the government will take steps so they have regular sports, extracurricular and adventure activities.
The Chief Minister, who came under severe criticism for handling the unrest since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, is trying to rebuild her image. Around 100 people, mostly teenagers, have been killed and over 12,000 were injured during the turmoil.
The Indian Railways' decision to start the special train service is aimed at helping Kashmiri children to overcome to stress and trauma they have gone though. Schools that remained closed for near five months due to strike calls by separatist groups are now opening on weekends.
Officials say Railway minister Suresh Prabhu decided to start a free fortnightly train service after request from the state government.
Kashmir is not linked to the Railway network with the rest of country as work on an ambitious rail project passing through treacherous Himalayan foothills may take several more years to complete.
At Bahraich Rally, PM Narendra Modi Takes On Opposition Over Stalled Parliament
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke of the currency ban and its fallout, alleging that the opposition has not allowed parliament to function in its aftermath.
Speaking at a rally in Bahraich of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, he said, "You must have noticed how parliament is not being allowed to function. Those rejected by the people are disrupting the proceedings of the parliament... We say we are ready for a debate but we are not being allowed to present our viewpoint. "
The people, he said, must have noticed that the government was cracking down on corruption. "Every day bundles of notes are being seized. Big people are being arrested. This is a government of the poor and works for the poor," he said.
Calling the note ban "a fight of the honest vs the dishonest", he said the "dishonest will not be spared".
The Prime Minister had addressed the rally on phone after his chopper failed to land in Bahraich due to bad weather.
His comments came three days before the winter session of Parliament is scheduled to end. The session where many pending issues had to be discussed, including the government's flagship Goods and Services Tax, had remained gridlocked due to the opposition's demands regarding the debate on notes ban.
The opposition, which initially wanted PM Modi to attend and respond to the debate, has now demanded that he apologize for and explain the sudden ban on high denomination currency of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, which has created a huge cash crunch in the country.
While the demand has been spearheaded by Congress, PM Modi today also took on the ruling Samajwadi Party of Uttar Pradesh and the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party, saying despite their disagreement on every issue, "this is the first time they are speaking in the same voice ".
"I cannot understand what problem the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have because of our fight against black money. The country knows, so I do to want to say too much," he added.
Speaking at a rally in Bahraich of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, he said, "You must have noticed how parliament is not being allowed to function. Those rejected by the people are disrupting the proceedings of the parliament... We say we are ready for a debate but we are not being allowed to present our viewpoint. "
Calling the note ban "a fight of the honest vs the dishonest", he said the "dishonest will not be spared".
The Prime Minister had addressed the rally on phone after his chopper failed to land in Bahraich due to bad weather.
His comments came three days before the winter session of Parliament is scheduled to end. The session where many pending issues had to be discussed, including the government's flagship Goods and Services Tax, had remained gridlocked due to the opposition's demands regarding the debate on notes ban.
The opposition, which initially wanted PM Modi to attend and respond to the debate, has now demanded that he apologize for and explain the sudden ban on high denomination currency of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, which has created a huge cash crunch in the country.
While the demand has been spearheaded by Congress, PM Modi today also took on the ruling Samajwadi Party of Uttar Pradesh and the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party, saying despite their disagreement on every issue, "this is the first time they are speaking in the same voice ".
"I cannot understand what problem the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have because of our fight against black money. The country knows, so I do to want to say too much," he added.
Business Affairs
23% Jan Dhan accounts still without balance; deposit surge abates
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Despite a huge surge in total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts following demonetisation, about one-fifth of these still continue to have no balance.
Net addition in the 25.8 crore Jan Dhan accounts was just Rs 288 crore during the week ended December 7, taking total deposits to about Rs 74,610 crore.
The percentage of zero balance account however remained flat at about 22.9 per cent despite the addition of Rs 29,000 crore in total deposits in about 30 days after demonetisation of high value notes took effect on November 9.
After the initial surge, total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts have seen a decline week after week. As much as Rs 1,487 crore was parked in these accounts during 7 days ended November 30, as against Rs 8,283 crore in the previous week.
The accretion was Rs 18,615.54 crore a week after demonetisation which moderated to less than half to Rs 8,582.57 crore during the 7-day period November 17-23.
Deposits in the 25.8 crore such accounts totalled Rs 74,609.50 crore at the end of December 7, as per the Finance Ministry data.
The upper limit for deposits in Jan Dhan account is Rs 50,000.
The overall amount was Rs 72,834.72 crore in 25.68 crore accounts at the end of November 23.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised entire nation with demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, deposits in Jan Dhan accounts have increased by 28,973 crore. As of November 9, the balance in about 25.5 crore such accounts was Rs 45,636.61 crore.
The aggregate deposits increased to Rs 64,252.15 crore in a week ended November 16.
Last week, the government said that inflows into Jan Dhan accounts have come down significantly after it warned people not to allow their accounts to be misused for converting black money into white.
After setting a cash deposit limit of Rs 50,000 in Jan Dhan accounts, the government had on November 18 cautioned account holders that they will be prosecuted under the I-T Act for allowing misuse of their bank accounts through deposit of black money in Rs 500/1,000 notes during the 50-day window till December 30.
The directive came against the backdrop of reports that some people were misusing other persons' bank accounts to convert their black money into new denomination notes.
Despite a huge surge in total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts following demonetisation, about one-fifth of these still continue to have no balance.
Net addition in the 25.8 crore Jan Dhan accounts was just Rs 288 crore during the week ended December 7, taking total deposits to about Rs 74,610 crore.
The percentage of zero balance account however remained flat at about 22.9 per cent despite the addition of Rs 29,000 crore in total deposits in about 30 days after demonetisation of high value notes took effect on November 9.
After the initial surge, total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts have seen a decline week after week. As much as Rs 1,487 crore was parked in these accounts during 7 days ended November 30, as against Rs 8,283 crore in the previous week.
The accretion was Rs 18,615.54 crore a week after demonetisation which moderated to less than half to Rs 8,582.57 crore during the 7-day period November 17-23.
Deposits in the 25.8 crore such accounts totalled Rs 74,609.50 crore at the end of December 7, as per the Finance Ministry data.
The upper limit for deposits in Jan Dhan account is Rs 50,000.
The overall amount was Rs 72,834.72 crore in 25.68 crore accounts at the end of November 23.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised entire nation with demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, deposits in Jan Dhan accounts have increased by 28,973 crore. As of November 9, the balance in about 25.5 crore such accounts was Rs 45,636.61 crore.
The aggregate deposits increased to Rs 64,252.15 crore in a week ended November 16.
Last week, the government said that inflows into Jan Dhan accounts have come down significantly after it warned people not to allow their accounts to be misused for converting black money into white.
After setting a cash deposit limit of Rs 50,000 in Jan Dhan accounts, the government had on November 18 cautioned account holders that they will be prosecuted under the I-T Act for allowing misuse of their bank accounts through deposit of black money in Rs 500/1,000 notes during the 50-day window till December 30.
The directive came against the backdrop of reports that some people were misusing other persons' bank accounts to convert their black money into new denomination notes.
Rs 2.6 cr in new notes among over Rs 13 cr seized from Delhi
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The total amount of seizure in the raid by the city police at a law firm in southeast Delhi's GK-I area on Sunday neared Rs 13.5 crore, of which Rs 2.6 crore was in new banknotes released after demonetisation, a senior police official said.
The raid was carried out by Crime Branch at the office of T&T Law Firm last night, the officer said.
"The recovered amount is close to Rs 13.5 crore. Out of the recovered money, Rs 7 crore is in the form of demonetised Rs 1,000 notes.
"Rs 3 crore is in the form of Rs 100 notes and Rs 2.61 crore is in the form of Rs 2,000 denominations. Rest of the cash is in the form of Rs 50 and Rs 500 denominations," said Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of police (Crime).
When the police team raided the office, the rooms were locked and a caretaker was present.
"It's probably one of the several office premises which was mainly used as cash godown guarded by just one guard," said the officer.
Police said that more cash was likely to be recovered in the follow-up raids.
The IT department has been informed and will be probing the case ahead.
Police said that the law firm whose office was raided belongs to Rohit Tandon.
According to I-T department sources, the lawyer had recently declared unaccounted income worth over Rs 125 crore after searches were carried out against him.
The total amount of seizure in the raid by the city police at a law firm in southeast Delhi's GK-I area on Sunday neared Rs 13.5 crore, of which Rs 2.6 crore was in new banknotes released after demonetisation, a senior police official said.
The raid was carried out by Crime Branch at the office of T&T Law Firm last night, the officer said.
"The recovered amount is close to Rs 13.5 crore. Out of the recovered money, Rs 7 crore is in the form of demonetised Rs 1,000 notes.
"Rs 3 crore is in the form of Rs 100 notes and Rs 2.61 crore is in the form of Rs 2,000 denominations. Rest of the cash is in the form of Rs 50 and Rs 500 denominations," said Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of police (Crime).
When the police team raided the office, the rooms were locked and a caretaker was present.
"It's probably one of the several office premises which was mainly used as cash godown guarded by just one guard," said the officer.
Police said that more cash was likely to be recovered in the follow-up raids.
The IT department has been informed and will be probing the case ahead.
Police said that the law firm whose office was raided belongs to Rohit Tandon.
According to I-T department sources, the lawyer had recently declared unaccounted income worth over Rs 125 crore after searches were carried out against him.
Government to launch helpline number 14444 for digital payments support
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After a TV channel and a website to promote digital payments, a nationwide toll-free helpline number '14444' will be launched soon to educate people and provide support related to cashless mode of transactions.
The service is expected to be operational within a week.
"Government had sought Nasscom's help in providing support on a mass scale to people. We had requested a single nationwide helpline should be set up which now assigned by the DoT which is 14444. We are putting call centre support at the back-end. It is fairly advance stage of operation," IT body Nasscom President R Chandrashekar told PTI.
"It is awareness with intention of conversion in actual transaction. It is to help people at the first level to zero in on the option most suitable for them that depends on person whether he has feature phone or not, Aadhaar number or not, bank account so many combination need to be seen," Chandrashekhar added.
To educate people on digital transactions, Ministry of Electronics and IT on Friday launched free-to-air channel DigiShala which will be available on Doordarshan's DTH platform and 'CashlessIndia' website to educate people about digital transactions.
As per IT and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, digital payments have increased in the range of 400 to 1,000 per cent since November 8 after scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.
When asked about timelines for operationalising Cash Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Helpine number, Chandrashekhar said, "We are hoping that before the end of next week, it will be available."
He said that once people will start using a particular methodology then helpline of particular digital payment service provider will also be made available through the helpline.
After a TV channel and a website to promote digital payments, a nationwide toll-free helpline number '14444' will be launched soon to educate people and provide support related to cashless mode of transactions.
The service is expected to be operational within a week.
"Government had sought Nasscom's help in providing support on a mass scale to people. We had requested a single nationwide helpline should be set up which now assigned by the DoT which is 14444. We are putting call centre support at the back-end. It is fairly advance stage of operation," IT body Nasscom President R Chandrashekar told PTI.
"It is awareness with intention of conversion in actual transaction. It is to help people at the first level to zero in on the option most suitable for them that depends on person whether he has feature phone or not, Aadhaar number or not, bank account so many combination need to be seen," Chandrashekhar added.
To educate people on digital transactions, Ministry of Electronics and IT on Friday launched free-to-air channel DigiShala which will be available on Doordarshan's DTH platform and 'CashlessIndia' website to educate people about digital transactions.
As per IT and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, digital payments have increased in the range of 400 to 1,000 per cent since November 8 after scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.
When asked about timelines for operationalising Cash Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Helpine number, Chandrashekhar said, "We are hoping that before the end of next week, it will be available."
He said that once people will start using a particular methodology then helpline of particular digital payment service provider will also be made available through the helpline.
NITI Aayog proposes lucky draws to encourage digital transactions
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In a bid to promote electronic transactions, NITI Aayog has asked NPCI to frame an award scheme to incentivise people using digital mode for making payments through weekly and quarterly lucky draws.
NITI Aayog has requested National Payments Corporation of India to conceptualise and launch a new scheme to incentivise digital payments. NPCI is a not for profit company which is charged with a responsibility of guiding India towards being a cashless society.
According to a NITI Aayog statement, there has been a remarkable increase in both volume and amount of digital payment transactions since November 9, when government demonetised high value notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
It is necessary to ensure that electronic payments are adopted by all sections of the society, it said.
"We need to encourage electronic payments and nudge the society to move from digital to digi-dhan," NITI Aayog said.
Under the proposal all consumers and merchants using digital payments shall be eligible.
There will be two levels of incentive amounts available under the scheme. First, weekly lucky draw of the transaction IDs generated in that week. The contours of which are being finalised, it said.
NITI Aayog has also proposed quarterly draw for grand prizes and asked NPCI that while designing the scheme the focus will be on poor, lower middle class and small businesses.
All modes of digital payments - USSD, AEPS, UPI and RuPay Cards - will be eligible under the scheme. For merchants, transactions made on the POS machines installed at their locations would be considered, it said.
NITI Aayog said that the detailed guideline of the scheme shall be unveiled soon. However, it would be ensured that all those who have used digital payment systems after November 8 shall be eligible to participate in the scheme.
The scheme would also provide for recognition of state governments, their undertakings, districts and urban & rural local bodies who innovate for promoting electronic payment in their respective jurisdictions.
In a bid to promote electronic transactions, NITI Aayog has asked NPCI to frame an award scheme to incentivise people using digital mode for making payments through weekly and quarterly lucky draws.
NITI Aayog has requested National Payments Corporation of India to conceptualise and launch a new scheme to incentivise digital payments. NPCI is a not for profit company which is charged with a responsibility of guiding India towards being a cashless society.
According to a NITI Aayog statement, there has been a remarkable increase in both volume and amount of digital payment transactions since November 9, when government demonetised high value notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
It is necessary to ensure that electronic payments are adopted by all sections of the society, it said.
"We need to encourage electronic payments and nudge the society to move from digital to digi-dhan," NITI Aayog said.
Under the proposal all consumers and merchants using digital payments shall be eligible.
There will be two levels of incentive amounts available under the scheme. First, weekly lucky draw of the transaction IDs generated in that week. The contours of which are being finalised, it said.
NITI Aayog has also proposed quarterly draw for grand prizes and asked NPCI that while designing the scheme the focus will be on poor, lower middle class and small businesses.
NITI Aayog has also proposed quarterly draw for grand prizes and asked NPCI that while designing the scheme the focus will be on poor, lower middle class and small businesses.
All modes of digital payments - USSD, AEPS, UPI and RuPay Cards - will be eligible under the scheme. For merchants, transactions made on the POS machines installed at their locations would be considered, it said.
NITI Aayog said that the detailed guideline of the scheme shall be unveiled soon. However, it would be ensured that all those who have used digital payment systems after November 8 shall be eligible to participate in the scheme.
NITI Aayog said that the detailed guideline of the scheme shall be unveiled soon. However, it would be ensured that all those who have used digital payment systems after November 8 shall be eligible to participate in the scheme.
The scheme would also provide for recognition of state governments, their undertakings, districts and urban & rural local bodies who innovate for promoting electronic payment in their respective jurisdictions.
Govt to amend RBI Act to annul old Rs 500, 1,000 notes
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The government is likely to amend the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act to extinguish the validity of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 printed before November 9 and a reference to this effect would be made in the upcoming Budget.
As part of the demonetisation process, there would be a law to make Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes invalid and it can be made effective from March 31, sources said.
"In 1978, when the currency was banned, the law to annul the validity came ahead. This time the government acted under 26 (2)," sources said.
As per RBI Act Section 26 (2), the central government, on the recommendation of the Central Board of RBI, may by notification in the Gazette of India, declare that, with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification, any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender.
Asked about the amount of money which did not get into the system, sources said, it would add to bottom line of the RBI and it would be in a position to pay the government in the form of higher dividend or special dividend.
Banks have received Rs 12 lakh crore demonetised currency notes as against Rs 15.5 lakh crore. The government expects Rs 13 lakh crore to come back to banking system.
Higher dividend from the RBI due to cancellation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes may not be applicable until the RBI law is amended.
Last week, Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel had said it would not have any automatic impact on the central bank's balance sheet as per the existing law.
"Actually, the withdrawal of legal tender characteristics status does not extinguish any of RBI's balance sheet. Therefore, there is no implication on the balance sheet as of now. The question of a special dividend automatically does not arise as of now," Patel had said.
RBI has issued currency notes worth over Rs 4.27 lakh crore to public through banks and ATMs following the demonetisation of old high-value bills.
Consequent to the announcement of the withdrawal of legal tender status of banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from the midnight of November 8, 2016, the central bank made arrangements for exchange and/or deposit of such notes.
Long queues for cash withdrawal have been witnessed outside banks and ATMs all over the country since November 10. The banks were kept closed on November 9, the day demonetisation came into effect.
The government is likely to amend the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act to extinguish the validity of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 printed before November 9 and a reference to this effect would be made in the upcoming Budget.
As part of the demonetisation process, there would be a law to make Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes invalid and it can be made effective from March 31, sources said.
"In 1978, when the currency was banned, the law to annul the validity came ahead. This time the government acted under 26 (2)," sources said.
As per RBI Act Section 26 (2), the central government, on the recommendation of the Central Board of RBI, may by notification in the Gazette of India, declare that, with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification, any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender.
Asked about the amount of money which did not get into the system, sources said, it would add to bottom line of the RBI and it would be in a position to pay the government in the form of higher dividend or special dividend.
Banks have received Rs 12 lakh crore demonetised currency notes as against Rs 15.5 lakh crore. The government expects Rs 13 lakh crore to come back to banking system.
Higher dividend from the RBI due to cancellation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes may not be applicable until the RBI law is amended.
Last week, Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel had said it would not have any automatic impact on the central bank's balance sheet as per the existing law.
"Actually, the withdrawal of legal tender characteristics status does not extinguish any of RBI's balance sheet. Therefore, there is no implication on the balance sheet as of now. The question of a special dividend automatically does not arise as of now," Patel had said.
RBI has issued currency notes worth over Rs 4.27 lakh crore to public through banks and ATMs following the demonetisation of old high-value bills.
Consequent to the announcement of the withdrawal of legal tender status of banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from the midnight of November 8, 2016, the central bank made arrangements for exchange and/or deposit of such notes.
Long queues for cash withdrawal have been witnessed outside banks and ATMs all over the country since November 10. The banks were kept closed on November 9, the day demonetisation came into effect.
General Awareness
Social Development Report Finds Disabled Children Miss Out Due to Lack of Support Services
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According to the Social Development Report (SDR) 2016, in India, 45 percent of Persons with Disability (PWD) are illiterate.The theme of the report for 2016 is ‘Disabilities Rights Perspectives’
Highlights of the report
The report revealed that 38 percent of PWD males were illiterate while 55 percent of female PWD.Even in Kerala, which is known as a state associated with complete literacy, 33.1 percent of PWDs were illiterate.
- India’s overall literacy rate is 74 percent.The report also found for that in each category of disability, maximum illiteracy was among women as compared to men while the highest illiteracy rate of 76 per cent was among women with multiple disabilities
- The report also estimated that out of total 75 million children of primary school age who do not go to school, one-third are children with disabilities.
- The report directed the State governments to ensure availability of minimum support such as accommodation, assistive devices and transport for the disabled children to complete their schooling.
- The report was based on the data collected from various sources, including the census, the National Sample Survey (NSS), data-sets of the India Human Development Survey, and the National Family Health Survey, besides the new data from fresh empirical studies.
- The report considered that number of PWDs in India was 26.8 million, or 2.2 per cent of the population based on which Men formed 56 per cent of the PWDs while 70 per cent of the disabled population was rural.
- Among the disabilities, the largest numbers of PWDs were affected by Movement disability, followed by hearing disability and visual impairment.
- The report also revealed that the high level of polio occurance rate in India may be responsible for the high percentage of movement disability.The report also showed that 20 percent children accounted for movement disability.
- Mental illness and mental retardation constituted the lowest proportion among the PWDs, which may be a result of under-reporting because of the disapproving nature of psycho-social disabilities and poor diagnoses of medical conditions.
- In India, Sikkim, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir and Lakshadweep had the highest incidence of disability, while Tamil Nadu, Assam and Delhi had the lowest proportions of the PWDs.
- According to the SDR, 64 per cent of the PWDs in India were non-workers while the majority were only able to find employment as casual labourer or agricultural labourer.
- Tamil Nadu had the least record in low employment rate, with 59 per cent of the PWDs being non-workers.
- The report also found that at the national level, only 2 per cent of the PWDs were enrolled in any vocational course, with the highest rate of enrolment being in Kerala, where 5 per cent were enrolled in vocational courses.
- Kerala performed the worst in giving employment to the PWDs, with a non-worker rate of 74.52 per cent, worst than national average.The report concluded that in the area of healthcare, the cost, lack of social services and transport were the top obstacles for the PWDs to access health care facilities.
- India’s overall literacy rate is 74 percent.The report also found for that in each category of disability, maximum illiteracy was among women as compared to men while the highest illiteracy rate of 76 per cent was among women with multiple disabilities
- The report also estimated that out of total 75 million children of primary school age who do not go to school, one-third are children with disabilities.
- The report directed the State governments to ensure availability of minimum support such as accommodation, assistive devices and transport for the disabled children to complete their schooling.
- The report was based on the data collected from various sources, including the census, the National Sample Survey (NSS), data-sets of the India Human Development Survey, and the National Family Health Survey, besides the new data from fresh empirical studies.
- The report considered that number of PWDs in India was 26.8 million, or 2.2 per cent of the population based on which Men formed 56 per cent of the PWDs while 70 per cent of the disabled population was rural.
- Among the disabilities, the largest numbers of PWDs were affected by Movement disability, followed by hearing disability and visual impairment.
- The report also revealed that the high level of polio occurance rate in India may be responsible for the high percentage of movement disability.The report also showed that 20 percent children accounted for movement disability.
- Mental illness and mental retardation constituted the lowest proportion among the PWDs, which may be a result of under-reporting because of the disapproving nature of psycho-social disabilities and poor diagnoses of medical conditions.
- In India, Sikkim, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir and Lakshadweep had the highest incidence of disability, while Tamil Nadu, Assam and Delhi had the lowest proportions of the PWDs.
- According to the SDR, 64 per cent of the PWDs in India were non-workers while the majority were only able to find employment as casual labourer or agricultural labourer.
- Tamil Nadu had the least record in low employment rate, with 59 per cent of the PWDs being non-workers.
- The report also found that at the national level, only 2 per cent of the PWDs were enrolled in any vocational course, with the highest rate of enrolment being in Kerala, where 5 per cent were enrolled in vocational courses.
- Kerala performed the worst in giving employment to the PWDs, with a non-worker rate of 74.52 per cent, worst than national average.The report concluded that in the area of healthcare, the cost, lack of social services and transport were the top obstacles for the PWDs to access health care facilities.
According to the Social Development Report (SDR) 2016, in India, 45 percent of Persons with Disability (PWD) are illiterate.The theme of the report for 2016 is ‘Disabilities Rights Perspectives’
Highlights of the report
The report revealed that 38 percent of PWD males were illiterate while 55 percent of female PWD.Even in Kerala, which is known as a state associated with complete literacy, 33.1 percent of PWDs were illiterate.
