General Affairs
Short-Range Ballistic Missile Test-Fired From Odisha Amid Heavy Rain
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An indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile was test-fired from the Odisha coast today amid heavy rains, official sources said.
The sophisticated missile was test launched from launch pad-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, near Odisha at about 1:35 pm.
The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was launched from a mobile launcher.
"It is a solid fuelled short-range missile fitted with inertial navigation system," the sources said.
It is a quick reaction, all-weather, all-terrain, highly accurate battlefield support tactical weapon system, the sources said.
Various tracking radars as well as electro-optic equipment are engaged to track and monitor the missiles trajectory.
Prior to the missiles test launch, 4,494 people residing within 2 km radius of the launch pad No.-3 at Chandipur were temporarily evacuated to nearby shelters in the morning, officials said.
A district revenue official said, "As a safety measure, 4,494 people residing in five villages adjacent to the missile launch site were temporarily shifted by the district administration to nearby two shelters with compensation."
They returned to their houses after getting clearance from ITR authorities soon after the test was over, the official said.
The sophisticated missile was test launched from launch pad-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, near Odisha at about 1:35 pm.
The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was launched from a mobile launcher.
"It is a solid fuelled short-range missile fitted with inertial navigation system," the sources said.
It is a quick reaction, all-weather, all-terrain, highly accurate battlefield support tactical weapon system, the sources said.
Various tracking radars as well as electro-optic equipment are engaged to track and monitor the missiles trajectory.
Prior to the missiles test launch, 4,494 people residing within 2 km radius of the launch pad No.-3 at Chandipur were temporarily evacuated to nearby shelters in the morning, officials said.
A district revenue official said, "As a safety measure, 4,494 people residing in five villages adjacent to the missile launch site were temporarily shifted by the district administration to nearby two shelters with compensation."
They returned to their houses after getting clearance from ITR authorities soon after the test was over, the official said.
"Country's Chowkidaar A Thief": Rahul Gandhi Again Attacks PM On Rafale
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Congress president Rahul Gandhi today attacked PM Modi and said people are now heard saying that the country's "watchman" is a "thief".
The remark at a public meeting provoked immediate condemnation by the BJP with Union minister Smriti Irani telling reporters it showed that the Congress leader has no respect for the prime minister's post.
Mr Gandhi was referring to the Prime Minister's "silence" on the Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France and the Modi government's "failure" to bring fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to book.
PM Modi had said he did not want to become the country's prime minister, but its 'chowkidar' (watchman), Mr Gandhi recalled.
He added now it is heard on the streets that the country's 'chowkidar' is a thief. "Galli galli me shor hai, Hindustan ka chowkidar chor hai," he said in Hindi at a rally in tribal-dominated Sagwara area.
The remark at a public meeting provoked immediate condemnation by the BJP with Union minister Smriti Irani telling reporters it showed that the Congress leader has no respect for the prime minister's post.
Mr Gandhi was referring to the Prime Minister's "silence" on the Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France and the Modi government's "failure" to bring fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to book.
PM Modi had said he did not want to become the country's prime minister, but its 'chowkidar' (watchman), Mr Gandhi recalled.
He added now it is heard on the streets that the country's 'chowkidar' is a thief. "Galli galli me shor hai, Hindustan ka chowkidar chor hai," he said in Hindi at a rally in tribal-dominated Sagwara area.
Cyclone Could Make Landfall In Odisha, Andhra Pradesh Tonight
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The coastal regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh will be hit by a cyclone tonight, the Indian Meteorological Department has said. A deep depression moving at a speed of about 12 km/hour is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours.
The depression, which was initially over west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, moved westward and intensified, IMD said in a bulletin. The centre is about 300 km east-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.
"It (the depression) is very likely to move west-northwestwards. It will cross south Odisha to north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Kalingapatnam and Puri. A cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 60 to 70 km/hour is likely", Mritunjay Mohapatra, Additional Director General of the IMD, said.
There will also be a storm surge of about 0.5 metres above astronomical tides and it is likely to flood low-lying areas of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesha and Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts in Odisha at the time of landfall.
While heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Odisha since Wednesday, rain and thundershower are likely to occur in the next 48 hours and it will ease thereafter, the IMD said.
The depression caused heavy rainfall in Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Ganjam, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jajpur districts on Thursday, a Met official said.
Under the depression's impact, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at some places in Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts till Friday, an IMD bulletin said.
The low pressure system is also likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in districts like Balangir, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj on Friday, the Met centre here said.
In view of adverse weather conditions, the Met office advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till Friday. Meanwhile, danger signal no-3 has been hoisted in all ports of Odisha.
Special Relief Commissioner BP Sethi has already asked all concerned to remain alert, closely monitor the situation and keep the administrative machinery in full preparedness to meet any eventuality and ensure functioning of control room round-the-clock.
The depression, which was initially over west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, moved westward and intensified, IMD said in a bulletin. The centre is about 300 km east-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha.
"It (the depression) is very likely to move west-northwestwards. It will cross south Odisha to north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Kalingapatnam and Puri. A cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 60 to 70 km/hour is likely", Mritunjay Mohapatra, Additional Director General of the IMD, said.
There will also be a storm surge of about 0.5 metres above astronomical tides and it is likely to flood low-lying areas of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesha and Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts in Odisha at the time of landfall.
While heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Odisha since Wednesday, rain and thundershower are likely to occur in the next 48 hours and it will ease thereafter, the IMD said.
The depression caused heavy rainfall in Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Ganjam, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jajpur districts on Thursday, a Met official said.
Under the depression's impact, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at some places in Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput and Nabarangpur districts till Friday, an IMD bulletin said.
The low pressure system is also likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in districts like Balangir, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj on Friday, the Met centre here said.
In view of adverse weather conditions, the Met office advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till Friday. Meanwhile, danger signal no-3 has been hoisted in all ports of Odisha.
Special Relief Commissioner BP Sethi has already asked all concerned to remain alert, closely monitor the situation and keep the administrative machinery in full preparedness to meet any eventuality and ensure functioning of control room round-the-clock.
"Smiles On Metro": PM's 14-Minute Ride To Dwarka To Avoid Traffic Jams
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a ride on the Airport Express Metro from Dhaula Kuan to Dwarka on way to lay the foundation stone of India International Convention and Expo Centre on Thursday.
Metro officials said the ride was completed in 14 minutes.
The India International Convention and Expo Centre will come up at Sector 25, Dwarka.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in Delhi Metro's Airport Express Line today. He boarded a metro train at Dhaula Kuan Metro Station at 3:13 pm and travelled up to Dwarka Sec-21 Metro Station, leaving the station at 3:27 pm," a senior DMRC official said.
He also travelled back from Dwarka Sec-21 to Dhaula Kuan station in the metro, boarding at 4:39 pm and deboarding at 4:54 pm," the official said.
People on board the train were surprised to see him and the prime minister obliged many passengers as they took selfies with him.
"Smiles on the Delhi Metro. People interact with PM @narendramodi during the journey from Dwarka, after he laid the foundation stone of a Convention Centre," the PMO India tweeted and shared a few pictures.
PM Modi has been using the Metro service to reach distant venues to avoid traffic jams which occur during VVIP movement.
PM Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, during his state visit to India had taken a ride together in the metro to Noida in July, on way to inauguration of a Samsung facility to manufacture mobile phones.
Metro officials said the ride was completed in 14 minutes.
The India International Convention and Expo Centre will come up at Sector 25, Dwarka.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in Delhi Metro's Airport Express Line today. He boarded a metro train at Dhaula Kuan Metro Station at 3:13 pm and travelled up to Dwarka Sec-21 Metro Station, leaving the station at 3:27 pm," a senior DMRC official said.
He also travelled back from Dwarka Sec-21 to Dhaula Kuan station in the metro, boarding at 4:39 pm and deboarding at 4:54 pm," the official said.
People on board the train were surprised to see him and the prime minister obliged many passengers as they took selfies with him.
"Smiles on the Delhi Metro. People interact with PM @narendramodi during the journey from Dwarka, after he laid the foundation stone of a Convention Centre," the PMO India tweeted and shared a few pictures.
PM Modi has been using the Metro service to reach distant venues to avoid traffic jams which occur during VVIP movement.
PM Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, during his state visit to India had taken a ride together in the metro to Noida in July, on way to inauguration of a Samsung facility to manufacture mobile phones.
Universities Asked To Celebrate "Surgical Strike Day" On September 29
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The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday directed varsities and higher educational institutions across the country to observe September 29 as "Surgical strike day".
Talk-sessions by ex-servicemen about sacrifices by the armed forces, special parades, visit to exhibitions and sending greeting cards to pledge their support for armed forces, are among the activities prescribed by the commission for the celebrations.
"The NCC units of all universities should organise a special parade on September 29 after which the NCC commander shall address them on the modalities of protection of the borders. The varsities may organise a talk-session calling ex-servicemen to sensitise students about sacrifices made by the armed forces," the UGC said in a communication to all Vice-Chancellors on Thursday.
"A multimedia exhibition will be organised around India Gate on September 29. Similar exhibitions may be organised in states, union territories, important towns and cantonments across the country. The institutions should encourage students and faculty members to visit these exhibitions," the letter added.
The commission has suggested that the students shall pledge their support for armed forces by writing letters and cards which may be produced in both digital and physical format.
"The letters and cards should be shared with PRO Defence and PIB for publicity across various media," the UGC said.
In the first such action, India carried out surgical strikes on September 29, 2016 on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army saying its special forces inflicted "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Talk-sessions by ex-servicemen about sacrifices by the armed forces, special parades, visit to exhibitions and sending greeting cards to pledge their support for armed forces, are among the activities prescribed by the commission for the celebrations.
"The NCC units of all universities should organise a special parade on September 29 after which the NCC commander shall address them on the modalities of protection of the borders. The varsities may organise a talk-session calling ex-servicemen to sensitise students about sacrifices made by the armed forces," the UGC said in a communication to all Vice-Chancellors on Thursday.
"A multimedia exhibition will be organised around India Gate on September 29. Similar exhibitions may be organised in states, union territories, important towns and cantonments across the country. The institutions should encourage students and faculty members to visit these exhibitions," the letter added.
The commission has suggested that the students shall pledge their support for armed forces by writing letters and cards which may be produced in both digital and physical format.
"The letters and cards should be shared with PRO Defence and PIB for publicity across various media," the UGC said.
In the first such action, India carried out surgical strikes on September 29, 2016 on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army saying its special forces inflicted "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Business Affairs
Big cheers for small savers and senior citizens: Govt hikes interest rates on PPF, NSC
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One of the most popular tax saving product Public Provident Fund, which not only gives tax benefit on investment but also provides tax exempted maturity amount, will again touch the 8% pa against 7.6% pa that it fetched before this hike. This has become possible after the government decided to raise the interest rate on small saving schemes from quarter beginning October 1, 2018.
The National Saving Certificate also witnessed a similar hike and will give 8% annual return. Interest rate on small saving scheme has been linked to market and government takes a call on these interest rates every quarter. Interest rates on government securities have been rising for quite some time but the government did not hike the interest rates in last quarter which started from June.
However, a hike in the current quarter looked imminent because the 10 year bond yield touched the 8% level in the beginning of this month on September 3. So, it was being anticipated that the rates may be revised upwards.
Time deposit of tenure less than 5 years have seen an interest rate hike of 0.30%. As a result one year time deposit (TD) will fetch an interest rate of 6.9% pa while 3 years TD will now earn an interest rate of 7.2% pa. The biggest hike of 0.40% was brought in instruments with maturity of 5 years and above, and as a result, 5 years time deposit will now earn an interest rate of 7.8% pa. The interest rate for recurring deposit with tenure of 5 year has been also hiked form 6.9% pa to 7.3% pa.
The biggest beneficiaries will be senior citizens who primarily depend on these saving schemes to get regular income. The interest rate on Senior Citizen Saving scheme, which is most popular small saving schemes among senior citizens, has been raised to 8.7% pa with quarterly payment.
The second highest interest rate is now being paid for Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, which is meant for saving by parents for their girl child. This scheme will now earn an interest rate of 8.5% pa as against the existing interest rate of 8.1% pa. The saving under this scheme is eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of income tax Act.
The National Saving Certificate also witnessed a similar hike and will give 8% annual return. Interest rate on small saving scheme has been linked to market and government takes a call on these interest rates every quarter. Interest rates on government securities have been rising for quite some time but the government did not hike the interest rates in last quarter which started from June.
However, a hike in the current quarter looked imminent because the 10 year bond yield touched the 8% level in the beginning of this month on September 3. So, it was being anticipated that the rates may be revised upwards.
Time deposit of tenure less than 5 years have seen an interest rate hike of 0.30%. As a result one year time deposit (TD) will fetch an interest rate of 6.9% pa while 3 years TD will now earn an interest rate of 7.2% pa. The biggest hike of 0.40% was brought in instruments with maturity of 5 years and above, and as a result, 5 years time deposit will now earn an interest rate of 7.8% pa. The interest rate for recurring deposit with tenure of 5 year has been also hiked form 6.9% pa to 7.3% pa.
The biggest beneficiaries will be senior citizens who primarily depend on these saving schemes to get regular income. The interest rate on Senior Citizen Saving scheme, which is most popular small saving schemes among senior citizens, has been raised to 8.7% pa with quarterly payment.
The second highest interest rate is now being paid for Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, which is meant for saving by parents for their girl child. This scheme will now earn an interest rate of 8.5% pa as against the existing interest rate of 8.1% pa. The saving under this scheme is eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of income tax Act.
27 states, UTs on board to implement PM Modi's healthcare scheme from September 25
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As many as 27 states and Union Territories are ready to join the ambitious healthcare scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana after its launch on Sunday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Niti Aayog member said.
Over 15,000 hospitals, both public and private, across the country have expressed their willingness to be empanelled for the scheme which aims to provide 10.74-crore poor families health insurance, Niti Aayog member V K Paul, who is the chief architect of the scheme, told PTI in an interview.
"The Prime Minister will launch the scheme on September 23 but effectively it will become operational from September 25 on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay," he said, adding that in the current fiscal, the burden on the Centre is likely to be around Rs 3,500 crore.
"With the launch by the prime minister, 26-27 states and UTs are likely to immediately commence the PMJAY," Paul added. The Niti Aayog member said that five or six states have not signed, so obviously the scheme will not be implemented in those states till they come on board.
"Remaining states that have signed (MoUs with the Centre) should hopefully be in the process of actual launch of (PMJAY) in the next 2-3 months," he noted.
Paul also said that the government expects thousands of new hospitals to come up in the next five years in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
"We have received applications from 15,000 hospitals for being empanelled ... Out of this half, that means 7,500 applications for empanelment are private hospitals," he said, adding that in some states process for empanelment is yet to start.
Over 15,000 hospitals, both public and private, across the country have expressed their willingness to be empanelled for the scheme which aims to provide 10.74-crore poor families health insurance, Niti Aayog member V K Paul, who is the chief architect of the scheme, told PTI in an interview.
"The Prime Minister will launch the scheme on September 23 but effectively it will become operational from September 25 on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay," he said, adding that in the current fiscal, the burden on the Centre is likely to be around Rs 3,500 crore.
"With the launch by the prime minister, 26-27 states and UTs are likely to immediately commence the PMJAY," Paul added. The Niti Aayog member said that five or six states have not signed, so obviously the scheme will not be implemented in those states till they come on board.
"Remaining states that have signed (MoUs with the Centre) should hopefully be in the process of actual launch of (PMJAY) in the next 2-3 months," he noted.
Paul also said that the government expects thousands of new hospitals to come up in the next five years in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
"We have received applications from 15,000 hospitals for being empanelled ... Out of this half, that means 7,500 applications for empanelment are private hospitals," he said, adding that in some states process for empanelment is yet to start.
India to pay Iran in rupees for oil imports from November
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India may revert to paying Iran in rupees for the oil it buys from its third largest supplier as US sanctions will from November 4 block use of US dollars to settle such trades, a top official said Thursday.
Oil refiners such as state-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) could use UCO Bank or IDBI Bank to route oil payments to Iran, the official added.
US sanctions against Iran come into effect from November 4 and will block banking channels.
The official said refiners have booked oil cargoes from Iran for the current month as well as for October. Payment for oil bought in September would be due in November as Iran provides a 60 days credit period.
India had planned to import about 25 million tonnes of crude oil from Iran in the current fiscal, up from 22.6 million tonnes imported in 2017-18. But the actual volumes imported may be far less as companies like Reliance Industries have totally stopped buying oil from Iran and others too are scaling it down in hope of winning a sanction waiver from the US.
US President Donald Trump had in May withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, re-imposing economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation. Some sanctions took effect from August 6 while those affecting the oil and banking sectors will start from November 4.
The official said Iran is open to accepting rupee payment for oil and may use the money to pay for equipments and food items it buys from India.
UCO Bank and IDBI Bank have been identified to route the payment as the two have no exposure to the US financial system.
UCO Bank had in the previous round of sanctions handled rupee payments.
Currently, India pays its third largest oil supplier in euros using European banking channels. These channels would get blocked from November.
During the first round of sanctions when EU joined the US in imposing financial restrictions, India initially used a Turkish bank to pay Iran for the oil it bought but beginning February 2013 paid nearly half of the oil import bill in rupees while keeping the remainder pending opening of payment routes. It began clearing the dues in 2015 when the restrictions were eased.
Besides, New Delhi sought to get around the restrictions by supplying goods including wheat, soybean meal and consumer products to Iran in exchange for oil.
The official said this time around the entire 100 per cent of Iranian oil import bill can be paid in rupees.
Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. It was India's second biggest supplier of crude oil after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 but Western sanctions over its suspected nuclear programme relegated it to the seventh spot in the subsequent years. In 2013-14 and 2014-15, India bought 11 MT and 10.95 MT, respectively from it.
Sourcing from Iran increased to 12.7 MT in 2015-16, giving it the sixth spot. In the following year, the Iranian supplies jumped to 27.2 MT to catapult it to the third spot.
Iranian oil is a lucrative buy for refiners as the Persian Gulf nation provides 60 days of credit for purchases, terms not available from suppliers of substitute crudes -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Nigeria, and the US.
Besides blocking of banking channels from November, the absence of payment mechanism may pose a challenge to the transportation of the oil as Iranian crude is bought on a CIF basis and shipped on Iranian tankers.
Under Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) mode of shipping, the seller assumes the responsibility of transportation and insurance. The liability and costs associated with successful transit are paid by the seller until the goods are received by the buyer.
Oil refiners such as state-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) could use UCO Bank or IDBI Bank to route oil payments to Iran, the official added.
US sanctions against Iran come into effect from November 4 and will block banking channels.
The official said refiners have booked oil cargoes from Iran for the current month as well as for October. Payment for oil bought in September would be due in November as Iran provides a 60 days credit period.
India had planned to import about 25 million tonnes of crude oil from Iran in the current fiscal, up from 22.6 million tonnes imported in 2017-18. But the actual volumes imported may be far less as companies like Reliance Industries have totally stopped buying oil from Iran and others too are scaling it down in hope of winning a sanction waiver from the US.
US President Donald Trump had in May withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, re-imposing economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation. Some sanctions took effect from August 6 while those affecting the oil and banking sectors will start from November 4.
The official said Iran is open to accepting rupee payment for oil and may use the money to pay for equipments and food items it buys from India.
UCO Bank and IDBI Bank have been identified to route the payment as the two have no exposure to the US financial system.
UCO Bank had in the previous round of sanctions handled rupee payments.
Currently, India pays its third largest oil supplier in euros using European banking channels. These channels would get blocked from November.
During the first round of sanctions when EU joined the US in imposing financial restrictions, India initially used a Turkish bank to pay Iran for the oil it bought but beginning February 2013 paid nearly half of the oil import bill in rupees while keeping the remainder pending opening of payment routes. It began clearing the dues in 2015 when the restrictions were eased.
Besides, New Delhi sought to get around the restrictions by supplying goods including wheat, soybean meal and consumer products to Iran in exchange for oil.
The official said this time around the entire 100 per cent of Iranian oil import bill can be paid in rupees.
Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. It was India's second biggest supplier of crude oil after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 but Western sanctions over its suspected nuclear programme relegated it to the seventh spot in the subsequent years. In 2013-14 and 2014-15, India bought 11 MT and 10.95 MT, respectively from it.
Sourcing from Iran increased to 12.7 MT in 2015-16, giving it the sixth spot. In the following year, the Iranian supplies jumped to 27.2 MT to catapult it to the third spot.
Iranian oil is a lucrative buy for refiners as the Persian Gulf nation provides 60 days of credit for purchases, terms not available from suppliers of substitute crudes -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Nigeria, and the US.
Besides blocking of banking channels from November, the absence of payment mechanism may pose a challenge to the transportation of the oil as Iranian crude is bought on a CIF basis and shipped on Iranian tankers.
Under Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) mode of shipping, the seller assumes the responsibility of transportation and insurance. The liability and costs associated with successful transit are paid by the seller until the goods are received by the buyer.
Swiggy expands services in 8 new cities
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Food delivery platform Swiggy on Thursday said it has launched services in eight new cities as it strengthens presence across the country.
The new cities are Dehradun, Puducherry, Mysore, Vijayawada, Nashik, Guwahati, Kanpur and Ludhiana, Swiggy said in a statement.
The company has partnered with over 1,200 restaurants in these cities, it added.
Commenting on the development, Swiggy COO Vivek Sunder said, "Expanding to these eight new markets is very important to us".
Over the years, Swiggy has played an instrumental role in making food ordering and delivery more accessible, reliable and convenient for consumers across the country, he added.
Founded in 2014, Swiggy is an online platform with over 40,000 restaurant partners spread across 27 cities.
The new cities are Dehradun, Puducherry, Mysore, Vijayawada, Nashik, Guwahati, Kanpur and Ludhiana, Swiggy said in a statement.
The company has partnered with over 1,200 restaurants in these cities, it added.
Commenting on the development, Swiggy COO Vivek Sunder said, "Expanding to these eight new markets is very important to us".
Over the years, Swiggy has played an instrumental role in making food ordering and delivery more accessible, reliable and convenient for consumers across the country, he added.
Founded in 2014, Swiggy is an online platform with over 40,000 restaurant partners spread across 27 cities.
SBI not right candidate to take over more banks, says Rajnish Kumar
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The country's largest lender State Bank of India on Thursday said it is not in a position to acquire more banks at the moment as it needs 2-3 years to see gains from the consolidation effected last year.
SBI last year merged with itself five of its subsidiary banks and taking over Bharatiya Mahila Bank, catapulting it to be among top 50 global lenders.
"We are not the right candidate to take over more banks, as we will need two to three years to see gains from consolidation of its associate banks last year," SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar told reporters here.
He said that SBI is the largest bank with a market share of 23 per cent and more consolidation will lead to monopoly of the bank.
However, Kumar said India needs to reduce the number of state-owned banks through consolidation for better management.
The statement comes after the government announced its intention to merge Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank earlier this week.
On Monday, 'Alternative Mechanism' (AM) headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley decided to merge three banks with a view to create global size lender, which will be stronger and sustainable.
The merged entity will have a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, making it the third largest bank after SBI and ICICI Bank. It will have better financial strength. The net NPA ratio will be at 5.71 per cent, significantly better than public sector bank (PSB) average (12.13 per cent).
To a question related to stressed assets in the power sector, the SBI chairman said that efforts were on with respect to resolution of all the cases.
"Lenders are convinced about the IBC process. There is no effort to consciously avoid IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code)," he said.
SBI last year merged with itself five of its subsidiary banks and taking over Bharatiya Mahila Bank, catapulting it to be among top 50 global lenders.
"We are not the right candidate to take over more banks, as we will need two to three years to see gains from consolidation of its associate banks last year," SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar told reporters here.
He said that SBI is the largest bank with a market share of 23 per cent and more consolidation will lead to monopoly of the bank.
However, Kumar said India needs to reduce the number of state-owned banks through consolidation for better management.
The statement comes after the government announced its intention to merge Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank earlier this week.
On Monday, 'Alternative Mechanism' (AM) headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley decided to merge three banks with a view to create global size lender, which will be stronger and sustainable.
The merged entity will have a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, making it the third largest bank after SBI and ICICI Bank. It will have better financial strength. The net NPA ratio will be at 5.71 per cent, significantly better than public sector bank (PSB) average (12.13 per cent).
To a question related to stressed assets in the power sector, the SBI chairman said that efforts were on with respect to resolution of all the cases.
"Lenders are convinced about the IBC process. There is no effort to consciously avoid IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code)," he said.
General Awareness
Triple talaq Ordinance
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What to Study?
For Prelims: Highlights of the ordinance and the proposed Bill.
For Mains: Significance and the need for a legislation on this.
Context: The Union Cabinet has approved an ordinance making instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat a punishable offence carrying a jail term of up to three years. The step was taken after the government failed to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, in the Rajya Sabha during the recent monsoon session.
Background:
In August last year, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a law that allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering “talaq” three times in quick succession. In a landmark 3-2 verdict, the apex court found the practice un-Islamic and “arbitrary”, and disagreed that triple talaq was an integral part of religious practice.
What are the provisions?
Triple talaq remains cognizable with a maximum of three years imprisonment and a fine.
Triple talaq will be recognised as a crime only when a woman or her blood relative files a complaint with the police.
A compromise can be achieved only when the woman is willing and says so to a magistrate. A magistrate can grant bail only after the wife’s consent.
The custody of children from the marriage will go to the woman.
The mother is entitled to maintenance determined by a magistrate.
The law doesn’t affect Jammu and Kashmir.
What is instant triple talaq?
Instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat is a practice that was challenged in the court. It is different from the practice of “talaq-ul-sunnat”, which is considered to be the ideal form of dissolution of marriage contract among Muslims.
Under the latter form, once the husband pronounces talaq, the wife has to observe a three-month iddat period covering three menstrual cycles during which the husband can arbitrate and re-conciliate with the wife. In case of cohabitation between the couple, during these three months, the talaq is revoked. However, when the period of iddat expires and the husband does not revoke the talaq either expressly or by consummation, the talaq is irrevocable and final.
In the practice of talaq-e-biddat, when a man pronounces talaq thrice in a sitting, or through phone, or writes in a talaqnama or a text message, the divorce is considered immediate and irrevocable, even if the man later wishes to re-conciliate.
Status in neighbouring countries:
India and 22 other countries have banned triple talaq. India’s neighbours Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the countries that have banned the practice of instant triple talaq prevalent among Muslims for divorce.
In Pakistan and Bangladesh, the law requires the man who wishes to divorce his wife to give the ‘arbitration council’ a written notice of his having done so, and supply a copy of the same to his wife.
In Pakistan, triple talaq was abolished when it issued its Muslim Family Law Ordinance in 1961, according to Geo News. In Afghanistan, divorce through three pronouncements made in only one sitting is considered to be invalid. Sri Lanka’s Marriage and Divorce (Muslim) Act, 1951, amended up to 2006, also prohibits triple talaq.
Way ahead:
India follows a secular approach with religious groups being allowed to manage their own affairs within the law, and most of these divorcees never see justice or even a chance at reconciliation with the husband. The move to criminalise instant divorce, therefore, is being touted as a step forward for the rights of Indian Muslim women.
What to Study?
For Prelims: Highlights of the ordinance and the proposed Bill.
For Mains: Significance and the need for a legislation on this.
Context: The Union Cabinet has approved an ordinance making instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat a punishable offence carrying a jail term of up to three years. The step was taken after the government failed to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, in the Rajya Sabha during the recent monsoon session.
Background:
In August last year, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a law that allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering “talaq” three times in quick succession. In a landmark 3-2 verdict, the apex court found the practice un-Islamic and “arbitrary”, and disagreed that triple talaq was an integral part of religious practice.
What are the provisions?
Triple talaq remains cognizable with a maximum of three years imprisonment and a fine.
Triple talaq will be recognised as a crime only when a woman or her blood relative files a complaint with the police.
A compromise can be achieved only when the woman is willing and says so to a magistrate. A magistrate can grant bail only after the wife’s consent.
The custody of children from the marriage will go to the woman.
The mother is entitled to maintenance determined by a magistrate.
The law doesn’t affect Jammu and Kashmir.
What is instant triple talaq?
Instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat is a practice that was challenged in the court. It is different from the practice of “talaq-ul-sunnat”, which is considered to be the ideal form of dissolution of marriage contract among Muslims.
Under the latter form, once the husband pronounces talaq, the wife has to observe a three-month iddat period covering three menstrual cycles during which the husband can arbitrate and re-conciliate with the wife. In case of cohabitation between the couple, during these three months, the talaq is revoked. However, when the period of iddat expires and the husband does not revoke the talaq either expressly or by consummation, the talaq is irrevocable and final.
In the practice of talaq-e-biddat, when a man pronounces talaq thrice in a sitting, or through phone, or writes in a talaqnama or a text message, the divorce is considered immediate and irrevocable, even if the man later wishes to re-conciliate.
Status in neighbouring countries:
India and 22 other countries have banned triple talaq. India’s neighbours Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the countries that have banned the practice of instant triple talaq prevalent among Muslims for divorce.
In Pakistan and Bangladesh, the law requires the man who wishes to divorce his wife to give the ‘arbitration council’ a written notice of his having done so, and supply a copy of the same to his wife.
In Pakistan, triple talaq was abolished when it issued its Muslim Family Law Ordinance in 1961, according to Geo News. In Afghanistan, divorce through three pronouncements made in only one sitting is considered to be invalid. Sri Lanka’s Marriage and Divorce (Muslim) Act, 1951, amended up to 2006, also prohibits triple talaq.
Way ahead:
India follows a secular approach with religious groups being allowed to manage their own affairs within the law, and most of these divorcees never see justice or even a chance at reconciliation with the husband. The move to criminalise instant divorce, therefore, is being touted as a step forward for the rights of Indian Muslim women.
For Prelims: Highlights of the ordinance and the proposed Bill.
For Mains: Significance and the need for a legislation on this.
Context: The Union Cabinet has approved an ordinance making instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat a punishable offence carrying a jail term of up to three years. The step was taken after the government failed to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, in the Rajya Sabha during the recent monsoon session.
Background:
In August last year, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a law that allowed Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering “talaq” three times in quick succession. In a landmark 3-2 verdict, the apex court found the practice un-Islamic and “arbitrary”, and disagreed that triple talaq was an integral part of religious practice.
What are the provisions?
Triple talaq remains cognizable with a maximum of three years imprisonment and a fine.
Triple talaq will be recognised as a crime only when a woman or her blood relative files a complaint with the police.
A compromise can be achieved only when the woman is willing and says so to a magistrate. A magistrate can grant bail only after the wife’s consent.
The custody of children from the marriage will go to the woman.
The mother is entitled to maintenance determined by a magistrate.
The law doesn’t affect Jammu and Kashmir.
What is instant triple talaq?
Instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat is a practice that was challenged in the court. It is different from the practice of “talaq-ul-sunnat”, which is considered to be the ideal form of dissolution of marriage contract among Muslims.
Under the latter form, once the husband pronounces talaq, the wife has to observe a three-month iddat period covering three menstrual cycles during which the husband can arbitrate and re-conciliate with the wife. In case of cohabitation between the couple, during these three months, the talaq is revoked. However, when the period of iddat expires and the husband does not revoke the talaq either expressly or by consummation, the talaq is irrevocable and final.
In the practice of talaq-e-biddat, when a man pronounces talaq thrice in a sitting, or through phone, or writes in a talaqnama or a text message, the divorce is considered immediate and irrevocable, even if the man later wishes to re-conciliate.
Status in neighbouring countries:
India and 22 other countries have banned triple talaq. India’s neighbours Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the countries that have banned the practice of instant triple talaq prevalent among Muslims for divorce.
In Pakistan and Bangladesh, the law requires the man who wishes to divorce his wife to give the ‘arbitration council’ a written notice of his having done so, and supply a copy of the same to his wife.
In Pakistan, triple talaq was abolished when it issued its Muslim Family Law Ordinance in 1961, according to Geo News. In Afghanistan, divorce through three pronouncements made in only one sitting is considered to be invalid. Sri Lanka’s Marriage and Divorce (Muslim) Act, 1951, amended up to 2006, also prohibits triple talaq.
Way ahead:
India follows a secular approach with religious groups being allowed to manage their own affairs within the law, and most of these divorcees never see justice or even a chance at reconciliation with the husband. The move to criminalise instant divorce, therefore, is being touted as a step forward for the rights of Indian Muslim women.
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