Digital transactions to exceed cash: PM

NEW

DELHI/SINGAPORE, FEB 21 (PTI):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed hope that digital transactions will soon surpass cash with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) increasingly becoming the most preferred payment mechanism in the country. Modi after the launch of the cross-border connectivity between the UPI and PayNow of Singapore said about 74 billion transactions amounting to more than Rs 126 trillion, which is approximately 2 trillion Singapore dollar, was done through UPI in 2022.

“Many experts are estimating that very soon India’s digital wallet transactions are going to overtake cash transactions,” he said.

A large number of transactions via UPI demonstrate that this indigenously designed payment system is very secure, he said.

Modi along with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the launch of cross-border

Rupee falls 9 paise to close at 82.82 against US dollar

MUMBAI, FEB 21 (PTI): connectivity between UPI and PayNow via video conferencing.

The rupee depreciated 9 paise to close at 82.82 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday as the strength of the American currency in the overseas market and a muted trend in domestic equities weighed on investor sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 82.76 against the greenback and finally settled for the day at 82.82 (provisional), registering a fall of 9 paise over its previous close of 82.73.

During the session, the domestic unit witnessed an intra-day high of 82.73 and a low of 82.83 against the American dollar. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of 6 currencies, was trading 0.12% higher at 103.98.

The facility was launched through token transactions by Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das and Managing Director of Monetary Authority of Singapore Ravi Menon using the UPIPayNow linkage.

Modi in a tweet said, “Today is a special day for India-Singapore friendship and for our efforts to deepen collaboration in FinTech and innovation. The participation of my friend, PM @leehsienloong made this morning’s programme even more special.”

Prime Minister Lee said the idea of linking PayNow and UPI was first conceived in 2018, when Modi visited Singapore.

“Since then, our two central banks have been working on this in earnest. Digital connectivity was also a key topic discussed at the inaugural India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), which was held in New Delhi last September. So I am very glad that the PayNow-UPI linkage has now become a reality,” Lee explained.

“As we progressively add more users and use cases, the PayNow-UPI linkage will grow in utility, and contribute more to facilitating our trade and our people-to-people links,” Lee said.

Cross-border retail payments and remittances between Singapore and India amount to over USD 1 billion annually.

“I hope this strong partnership between Singapore and India will continue to spawn innovative technology solutions and create more cross-border opportunities for our digital economies,” Lee said.

Stressing that the linkage of UPI and PayNow is a new milestone in IndiaSingapore relations, Modi said, this will help people of both the countries to do cross-border transactions through mobile phone in an affordable manner.

Singapore is the first country with which crossborder Person-to-Person (P2P) payment facility has been launched, he said, adding, this will help the Indian diaspora in Singapore, especially migrant workers/students and bring the benefits of digitalisation and fintech to the common man.

‘BJP’s ideology is the Constitution of India’

(From p-1) He said that NCP, LJP and NPP were no factors in the election. “What is important is the strong alliance between NDPP and BJP,” he added.

Claiming that the State had witnessed much development work in the past five years under the “double engine” coalition government, he remarked that Nagaland would see true transformation in the next five years as the alliance would work with partnership and support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The minister also promised to set up Nursing College at Suruhuto and skill 8,000 youth from Asuto-Suruhuto for jobs.

Meanwhile, addressing a campaign rally for BJP candidate H Khehovi , Rajeev assured that the “double engine”coalition government would continue

Power shutdown in parts of Dimapur from Feb 22 to Mar 9

(From p-1) Church Road, Murgi Patti, Hazi Park, Hong Kong Market, Old BOC.G.S Road, Marawari patti, Hongkong Market, Hazi Park, DMC, Old BOC, Thakurbari,City Tower, Tata Parking,Khermahal, SIB Office area and churches colony would be affected on Feb 22,23,24&25 and March 6,7,8 & 9 while areas under 11 KV Feeder and Forest 33 KV, Sematilla & Thahekhu including PWD,Midland, Reisdnecy, Supply,Duncan, Landmark, Notun Basti, Naga Cemetry, Island, LRC,City Tower, Tata Parking,Khermahal, SIB Office area and churches colony, Thahekhu Village,New Market, Sematilla, West yard, Chatteshwari, Lhomithi, Army supply Road would be affected on March 1,2,3 & 4.

(From p-1) The chief minister also expressed his unflinching support to the ENPO’s demand, saying he would assist them or give a free hand if they wanted to work by themselves. He urged the gathering to help the candidate so they would be able to work together and form a stronger government.

NDPP candidate for the constituency, Medo

Yhokha, in his short speech, said that NDPP was the right party to bring good governance and stability, which everyone was vouching for, in Nagaland. Seeking support of the people, Yhokha said together they would bring skill development and entrepreneurship for the youth. Short speeches were delivered by NDPP central vice president Theyiekielie Tachü while solidarity mes- sages were conveyed by former candidates Seyievilie Peter Zashümo and Khrielezo Bio. The rally was chaired by standby candidate of the AC, Neizosieo Rhutsu while Kigwema Baptist Church, senior pastor Rev Mekhale Yhoshü offered the invocation. A special number was presented by Keneiletuo Metha while Kigwema village council chairman, Balie Kire summed up the rally.

Campaigning to conclude on Feb 25

(From p-1) television or other similar apparatus, or propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of, any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting members of the public.

The CEO warned that any person who contravened this provision would be punishable with imprisonment for a term that might extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. The notification further stated with this pace of progress by ensuring peace, continue to bring in investments and create more jobs for youth of Nagaland.

Asserting that the next decade would be the decade of the youth of India, including Nagaland, he mentioned that at least 8,000 youth from Suruhuto would be skilled every year for industry-ready and future-ready jobs in the next five years. Keeping with the vision of Prime Minister for the youth, he disclosed that every district in Nagaland, including Suruhuto in Zunheboto, would have Digital India Startup where young Nagas could begin startups.

He announced that the government would set up a Skill India International Centre so that youth trying to travel outside and work could get skilling in Nagaland itself to look for opportunities outside the country. that district election administration and police would ensure that all political functionaries left the constituency immediately after the campaign period was over. However, the restriction might not be insisted upon the office-bearer of the political party who was in-charge of the State.

Chandrasekhar reminded the crowd that Modi had recently announced setting up nursing colleges across the country, and assured that the government would try to bring one such nursing college to Nagaland, and preferably at Suruhuto. He therefore called upon the electorate to vote for H Khehovi for a better future, peace, development and opportunities for the youth.

H. Khehovi also addressed the gathering and thanked the minister for visiting his constituency.

The rally was chaired by BJP State general secretary Khevishe Achumi, welcome address was delivered by BJP mandal president Tokhevi Aye and vote of thanks by Zunheboto district BJP president Shikuto Achumi.

However, such office-bearer of the party should declare his place of stay in the State headquarters and his movement during the period in question would remain confined normally between his party office and place of his stay.

Modi Govt lacks political will to implement Naga...

(From p-1)

“This country will not be ruled by an autocrat that dictates people. In 2024 (Parliamentary elections), the Congress will lead the alliance government at the Centre... Therefore, the BJP will lose their majority and we will get majority and we will follow the Constitution. “Let 100 Modis or Shahs come. This is India and our constitution is very strong”, he stated. Congress’ contribution: Kharge claimed that Congress held a special love and respect for people of Nagaland and recalled how Jawaharlal Nehru had on August 1, 1959 announced in Parliament the decision to convert Naga Hills Tuensang Area (NHTA) into a State, which was later inaugurated on December 1, 1963 by then President Dr S Radhakrishnan. He said the Congress government had granted special status to Nagaland by incorporating Article

371 (A) in the Constitution that came into effect from 1 December, 1963 to safeguard the interests of the hill State and its people. He reminded the gathering that Nagaland was the first State to be accorded this special status.

“For Congress, the welfare of Nagaland has always been of utmost priority and we assure you it will always be so,” he stated.

BJP ‘divisive’: Kharge asserted that the Congress would not keep quiet in addressing the issues of the state as well as the country, adding that it would fight tooth and nail, not only in the Parliament, but also outside parliament.

He alleged that BJP had entered the state of Nagaland and was on the mission to push the RSS agenda by following their divide and rule policy.

The Congress president warned that Naga identity was at stake as BJP and its ideological mentor RSS had a problem with it. He alleged that the party wanted to recast indigenous people as vanvasi. “This recasting of Adivasis into a vanvasi is integral to the ideological project of BJP/ RSS,” he claimed.

He alleged that BJP never had any concern or priority for Nagaland and that it was hell bent upon creating division within

Nagaland and abrogating Article 371 (A) to pave the way for easy implementation of Uniform Civil Code as part of its divisive agenda.

“BJP’s politics is aimed at destroying the indigenous and unique culture of Nagas. The people of Nagaland must stand up against this attack on the culture of Nagaland and the politics of polarisation and hatred,” he exhorted.

Apart from highlighting issues confronting the State, Kharge also spoke on other issues like as inflation, unemployment, economic situation, attack on democratic institutions, etc.

Also addressing the gathering, AICC in-charge for Nagaland, Dr. Ajoy Kumar pointed out that Nagaland has the worst roads and was the only state in India without a medical college while government hospitals were operating under candle light. He said Nagas with rich culture and heritage, God fearing, nicest people in any industry, deserve much better.

Therefore, he said, if the Nagas were worried about future their children, health, jobs, security etc. they should vote for the right people to deliver.

Further dwelling on the attacks on Christians and minorities across the country, Dr Ajoy questioned how could Amit Shah come to Nagaland and say BJP respects all religions, but attack Christians and minorities on the other hand.

In his brief address, AICC general secretary and Member of Parliament, Mukul Wasnik wondered how could a party like the NDPP agree to have seat sharing alliance with a party like BJP, a party that does not believe in socialism, democracy and secularism.

“They believe in one nation, one religion and believe only in one language that is Hindi and believe that the people should wear only those clothes which the BJP wants and also decide on what people should eat and drink…,” Wasnik said.

NPCC president K Therie and former chief minister, KL Chishi also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by NPCC working president Bobby Pannicker. He also put forward an appeal letter by Ao Baptist Church Organization (ABAM) to the Congress president to take stock of the persecution of Christians and minorities across the country, to be taken up in the parliament.

Snippets

PM to inaugurate

Shivamogga airport in K’taka on Feb 27

BENGALURU, FEB 21

(IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Shivamogga airport -- the dream project of former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP Central Committee Member, B.S. Yediyurappa on February 27. The supporters of the Lingayat strongman are looking forward to the programme as it was perceived at some point that Yediyurappa was snubbed by the party.

Five held for duping people

MUMBAI, FEB 21 (PTI): Cyber police of the Mumbai crime branch has arrested five persons and busted a gang which gathered confidential information by offering credit cards with lucrative incentives and used it to make unauthorized purchases. The racket came to light when a victim approached the west region cyber police station here on January 31, said an official.

Man killed in Jharkhand IED blast

CHAIBASA, FEB 21 (PTI): A 23-year-old man was killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion suspected to have been triggered by the banned CPI (Maoists) in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district on Tuesday, a senior police officer said. The incident occurred when the man went to a forest near village Meralgada under Goilkera police station to collect firewood. Superintendent of Police, Ashutosh Shekhar, said security forces reached the spot and recovered the body with the help of the villagers.

3 women found dead in Solapur

District

MUMBAI, FEB 21 (PTI):

Three women from a family were found killed in Mangalvedha town in southwestern Maharashtra’s Solapur district on Tuesday evening, police said. A suspect, a mentally unstable man, has been detained, said an official.

As per preliminary information, three women from a family were found killed with their heads smashed with a stone at Lavate Vasti in Nandeshwar village. Police have sent the bodies for autopsy and senior officials are on the spot, the official said.

4 mowed down by truck

on Jaipur-Ajmer highway

JAIPUR, FEB 21 (PTI):

Four people were killed after being mowed down by a speeding truck on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway here on Tuesday, police said. According to police, the accident occurred in the afternoon when the victims were sitting on two motorcycles parked on the roadside as some of them were talking on the phone.