Government to auction 2,000 megahertz of spectrum

May 23, 2016

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that the government will auction 2,000 megahertz of spectrum in the next 2 to 3 months. Speaking at an Assocham event in New Delhi , he said the government will go for one of the highest ever auction of 2,000 megahertz so that industry players have ample spectrum available.

Mr Prasad said, at base price recommended by Trai, the auction has potential to fetch bids worth 5.36 lakh crore rupees. The auction conducted in 2015 fetched bids worth 1.1 lakh crore rupees the highest ever received in any spectrum auction held in India.

Leave a comment Edit

Western Disturbance lashed the capital,HP

May 23, 2016

Light showers owing to a Western Disturbance had lashed the capital yesterday but failed to bring any respite as the maximum temperature again crossed the 45 degrees Celsius mark.

Rain lashed the national capital Saturday with a massive dust storm in the dusk hous bringing much-awaited respite to Delhiites reeling under hot weather conditions for the past several days.The weatherman has also predicted overnight showers in some areas which is expected to bring down the mercury by few notches.

Rain lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh this afternoon including tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. Thunderstorm has been also reported from various districts which uprooted roofs of houses, sign boards and trees. Due to dark clouds the visibility was so low in the day that the drivers have to drive their vehicles with the help of headlights.

In remote Dodra Kawar area of Shimla district roofs of at least six houses and some government buildings were uprooted in the thunderstorm. The maximum and minimum temperature has decreased by four to five degrees throughout in the state. The met department has predicted rain during next 24 hours and warnings of thunderstorm at several places in low as well as middle hills have been also issued.

Leave a comment Edit

Jayalalithaa sworn-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

May 23, 2016

AIADMK Supremo Ms. Jayalalithaa has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu today. Governor Dr.K. Rosaiah administered the oath of office and secrecy for her at a grand ceremony held at the Centenary Auditorium, Madras University at 12 noon. State Governor Dr.Rosaiah administered the pledge for the 28 ministers also. The University was decked up neatly in white and green for the occasion. The Ministers were administered swearing in pledge in batches.

This is Jayalalithaa’s second consecutive term as chief minister, and sixth overall. Her first term was between 1991-96, During her second year term in 2001 she was out of office for six months after she was unseated by Supreme Court vis-a-vis electoral disqualification in the TANSI case and was sworn in again.

She completed a successful five year term in 2001 to 2006. In 2011 to 2016 she was out of office from September 29,2014 to May 22, 2015 after being disqualified as a legislator and consequently lost chief ministership following her conviction in a graft case by a trial court in Bengaluru which was later set aside by Karnataka High Court.

The main opposition party, DMK’s treasurer M.K.Stalin attended the swearing in ceremony along with 14 MLAs elected from Chennai. Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Pon Radhakrishnan attended the meeting and extended greetings on behalf of the Prime Minister. Amidst loud cheers a smiling Ms. Jayalalithaa began her oath as the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.

After the swearing in she went to the Secretariat and signed in five important files including cancellation of loans to micro small and medium farmers who acquired loan through cooperative units, closing down of State owned liquor outlets in phases beginning with closing down of 500 shops,giving 100 units of electricity for free of charge, increase from four to eight grams of gold for wedlock for brides who have completed degree and diplomas in addition to financial assistance.

Leave a comment Edit

India’s first reusable space shuttle, RLV-TD launched

May 23, 2016

India successfully launched its maiden indigenous winged Reusable Launch Vehicle, RLV from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh at 7 am today. Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO said, the mission has been accomplished successfully. The Re-Usable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator, RLV-TD, that is ultimately aimed at putting satellites into orbit around earth and then re-enter atmosphere, was carried up on a solid rocket motor.

The nine-metre long rocket weighs 11 tonnes. Very similar in its looks to the US space shuttle, the double delta-winged RLV-TD being experimented is a scale model which is almost 6 times smaller than the final version. The 6.5 meter long RLV-TD has aeroplane like structure which weighs about 1.75 tons. The cost of this project is 95 crore rupees.

After launch from the Sriharikota spaceport, it glided back onto a virtual runway in the Bay of Bengal. The vehicle re-entered the atmosphere after reaching a height of over 70 km. The mission, known as the hypersonic flight experiment, lasted about 10 minutes. Earlier, explaining the importance of the experimental RLV, ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar said, it is essentially an attempt by India to bring down the cost of making infrastructure in space.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO for the successful test of the RLV-TD. In his message, the President conveyed his congratulations to space scientists at ISRO for their achievement.

In a tweet, Mr Modi said, launch of India’s first indigenous space shuttle RLV-TD is the result of the industrious efforts of the scientists of ISRO. He said, the dynamism and dedication with which the scientists and ISRO have worked over the years is exceptional and very inspiring.

Leave a comment Edit

Team Swachh Chhattisgarh felicitated by Delhi Daredevils and UNICEF

May 23, 2016

Team Swachh Chhattisgarh felicitated by Delhi Daredevils and UNICEF

RAIPUR, 21st May 2016: A group of 30 young adolescent girls and boys from Rajnandagaon district of Chhattisgarh, were felicitated today by senior officials of the state government, the CEO of Delhi Daredevils team and UNICEF for their special feat in making their respective village’s open-defecation free.

These ‘Team Swachh’ champions also interacted with the members of Delhi Daredevils players. The interaction was held under the backdrop of the UNICEF and Delhi Daredevil’s joint initiative, ‘Dare to Care’, which urges Indian citizens and the large support base of Delhi Daredevils to advocate for the rights of adolescent girls, especially those who are excluded and marginalized.

Rahul Dravid, mentor Delhi Daredevils team, Imran Tahir, Mayank Aggarwal, Rishab Pant, J.P Duminy Hand commentator Ian Bishop shared cricketing experiences with the young boys and girls from Team Swacch. They also discussed the importance of separate toilets for girls in all schools, to E girls remain in school and don’t drop out.

Eighteen years old, Bharati who is a leader-champion, from Heeravahi village led the campaign by ensuring a toilet for every woman and girl of her village. Her inspiring story has highlighted the urgent need of toilets for women for their dignity and safety.

“Open defecation is not just only unhygienic, but unsafe for girls. We created awareness in our community about the need of building toilets through special projects. Today, while we have community toilets, people are making efforts to build private toilets as well,” she said.

According to Swachhta Status Report released by the National Sample Survey (NSS), more than half of the rural population in India still opts for open defecation. The survey estimates that 52.1 per cent of people in rural India choose open defecation as compared to 7.5 per cent in urban India.

Speaking to the media, Mr. M K Raut, Additional Chief Secretary, said, “I congratulate both Delhi Daredevils and UNICEF for the grand success of the initiative. I am confident, that our Team Swachh champions will help catalyse the larger public and create much-needed awareness on the importance of sanitation.” He added that the Govt has made significant strides in making the state free from open defecation, ensuring safety and dignity for women. At the time of launch of the SBM-G in 2014, we had only 20 ODF villages in Churiya block of Rajnandgaon to begin with. Our efforts have resulted in making 1850 villages open defecation free across the state.

Mr. Prasanta Dash, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Chhattisgarh, said, “UNICEF will continue to lend support to the state government in using Community Approaches to Total Sanitation (CATS) model to end open defecation with special focus on women and adolescent girls.”

Rahul Dravid said that through the ‘Dare to Care’ initiative with UNICEF, the team was successful in highlighting urgent issues of adolescents, particularly those related to education, child marriage, sanitation and participation. “I congratulate UNICEF and Government of Chhatisgarh for this fantastic campaign which talks about building toilets and impats so many lives especially the lives of the young girls, “he added.

Mr. Hemant Dua, CEO, Delhi Daredevils too lauded UNICEF’s efforts in engaging the adolescents. “I, along with my team, am proud to be associated with UNICEF and our collective ‘Dare to Care’ initiative. I am sure that the Team Swachh champions will help bowl out diseases from the lives of children,” he said.

Leave a comment Edit

Hindi Film PHOBIA To be addressed by: Radhika Apte

May 23, 2016

PRESS INVITATION

Eros International cordially invites

You to attend the cover of Press conference and

To share with you the uniqueness of their latest Hindi Film

PHOBIA

To be addressed by:

Radhika Apte

Pawan Kripalani (Director, ‘Ragini MMS’ fame)
Viki Rajani (Producer)

Time   :  12 noon
Date    : 24th May (Tuesday)
Venue : PVR PLAZA, CONNAUGHT PLACE

You are requested to send correspondents/photographers/camera crew for the Press Conference.

R.S.V.P

Shailesh Giri

9811222325(M)

9213022325

Leave a comment Edit

India and Iran today signed 12 MoU

May 23, 2016

 India and Iran today signed 12 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements in various areas including building and operating the Chabahar port by India. It followed the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

The other agreements include cooperation in culture, science and technology, library sciences, and cooperation between the exim banks of both the countries. Signing of Chabahar port agreement will further improve trade relations especially between India and Afghanistan After the port would be completely functional, India can directly send its goods to Afghanistan.

After signing of the agreements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his press statement, termed the agreement on developing first phase of Chabahar port as a milestone on bilateral economic ties. Mr Modi said, the port will develop better connectivity among India, Iran and Afghanistan. He said, the port will help in faster economic growth in the region. Mr Modi said, India is committed for the early implementation of the signed agreements today by the two countries.

Noting that peace and stability is crucial in the region, the Prime Minister said India and Iran share the commitment to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the region. He said both the countries are committed to fight the menace of growing terrorism and extremism.

Mr Modi said the two countries agreed to consult closely and regularly on combating threats of terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking and cyber crime. Mr Modi said he and President Rouhani also shared concerns at the spread of forces of instability and terror in the region. He also extended an invitation to Mr Rouhani to visit India.

Earlier, in a joint statement with Prime Minister Modi, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Chabahar port is a symbol of synergy between both the nations. He said the port can serve as a point of connectivity to different countries.

He said, economic relations between Delhi and Tehran can further be expanded through the project. Dr Rouhani also touched upon commonalities between the two nations and said promotion of Hindi and Persian in both the countries were also discussed.

Mr Rouhani said, both the nations discussed about sharing of intelligence to check the menace of terrorism, as its tentacles are spreading over Syria, Yemen and many other areas in the region. He stressed upon booth the nations to work together to bring peace and stability in the region.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded ceremonial welcome on the forecourts of the Saadabad Palace in Tehran. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this evening.

Press Information Bureau 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the President of Iran, Mr. Hassan Rouhani, at the delegation level talks, in Tehran on May 23, 2016.

1 Share

66

LikeShow More Reactions

CommentShare

Leave a comment Edit

DSK Shivajians ‘A’ score 6 past Sangam FC for tenth win

May 23, 2016

 23rd May 2016 DSK Dream City, Pune – DSK Shivajians ‘A’ once again logged a one-sided win subduing Sangam F.C 6-0 in a PDFA Super Division League game at the DSK Dream City, Football Fields.

Two goals by Mohd. Salah (25th & 78th minute) and a goal each by Astle Pereira (11th), Saddam Sayyed (77th), Vikram U (83rd) and Tarun Taneja (89th) ensured that DSK Shivajians ‘A’ registered their tenth win.

With five players getting on the score sheet, it was skipper Riyan Yadgiri who played an important part by assisting three goals.

DSK Shivajians ‘A’ opened the scoring early with Astel knocking home a sitter. It took another fourteen minutes for the hosts to double their advantage when Ivo Fernandes set up an easy finish for Mohd. Salah.

There was no further addition to the score line thereafter and DSK Shivajians ‘A’ went into the break with a two-goal cushion.

In the second half, DSK Shivajians took it easy. But when they did step up the pace they did net four in a matter of 12 minutes in the latter part of the game.

During this slack period of the game, DSK Shivajians had two of their players pick up bookings – Franky  Oliverio (42nd) and Raviraj Kurne (56th).

In the last quarter of the game, Saddam Sayed utilized Riyan’s assist to score the third, then within a minute Mohd. Salah added another by doing justice to Sidney Colaco feed to take the scoreline to 4-0.

Vikram  U. combined with Prathamesh Singh to add the fifth goal while Tarun Taneja completed the six-goal rout after Riyan once again turned provider.

DSK Shivajians next run into Chetak F.C on 24th May 2016.

Leave a comment Edit

Analysis of Funds Collected and Expenditure incurred by Political Parties

May 23, 2016

Analysis of Funds Collected and Expenditure incurred by Political Parties

During elections in 11 years – 2004 to 2015

 Executive Summary

Total number of elections held between 2004 and 2015

·         Between January 2004 and December 2015, there were a total of 71 Assembly Elections and 3 Lok Sabha Elections.

·         The maximum number of Assembly elections were held in 2008 when 10 states (Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Rajasthan, J & K, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram) went for polls while least number of Assembly elections were held in 2010 when only Bihar went for polls.

·         Total funds were collected and spent between 2004 and 2015, during the election period of 1535 days.

Number of elections vs. number of contesting parties

·         Except in 2004, it can be noticed that between 2005 and 2015, the number of contesting parties increased with thetotal number of Assembly elections held during that period. While 65 parties contested in 4 Assembly elections held in 2005, it increased to 82 parties in 5 Assembly elections held in 2006.

·         Maximum number of 120 parties contested in the 10 Assembly elections held in 2008.

·         The number of National and Regional Parties which contested in the Lok Sabha elections held in 2004 was 42 while during2009 Lok Sabha elections, it was 41parties and in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it increased to 45 National and Regional parties.

Elections Vs. Parties	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Assembly Elections	6	4	5	7	10	7	1	5	7	9	8	2
Contesting Parties	62	65	82	93	120	90	18	76	88	102	101	35
Lok Sabha Elections	1					1					1
Contesting Parties	42					41					45

 

 Total funds collected by Political Parties: Lok Sabha elections (2004, 2009, 2014)

·         According to the proforma issued by the Election Commission of India to political parties for submission of their election expenditure statements, funds received between the date of announcements of elections and completion of elections have to be disclosed in cash, cheques/DD, in kind (value of which has to be specified).

·         Collectively, during the Lok Sabha elections held in 2004, 2009 and 2014, political parties declared collecting a total of Rs 2355.35 crores of which 44% or Rs 1039.06 crores was by cash and 55% or Rs 1299.53 crores was by cheque.

·         Rs 16.76 crores was declared by the parties as funds collected ‘in kind’ during the Lok Sabha elections.

Total funds collected by Political Parties: Assembly elections (2004-2015)

·         Maximum funds were collected during the 7 Assembly Elections held in 2012where 13 political parties have declared collecting a total of Rs 695.28 crores of which Rs 370.45 crores was collected in cash (53% of total funds) and Rs 324.83 crores was collected by cheque (47% of total funds).

·         Collectively, during the 71 Assembly elections held between 2004 and 2015, political parties have declared collecting Rs 2107.80 crores in cash (63% of total funds) and Rs 1244.86 crores by cheque (37% of total funds).

·         Rs 15.39 crores was declared by the parties as funds collected ‘in kind’.

Top 5 regional parties which collected maximum funds and incurred maximum expenditure during Lok Sabha elections

·         Among all the Regional parties who have submitted their election expenditure statements for the Lok Sabha elections held in 2004, 2009, 2014, the top 5 parties include SP, AAP, AIADMK, BJD and SAD.

·         These 5 parties have declared collecting a total of Rs 267.14 crores which forms 62% of the total funds declared by all the regional parties collectively. They have declared collecting Rs 129.22 crores in cash (48% of total funds) and Rs 137.72 crores by cheque (52% of total funds).

·         Despite contesting in only one Lok Sabha election, AAP stands second in the total funds collected by declaring Rs 51.83 crores.This forms 19% of total funds collected by all the 5 Regional parties which contested in 3 Lok Sabha elections

·         Among the top 5 regional parties, SP has declared the maximum expenditure ofRs 90.09 crores during the Lok Sabha elections followed by AIADMK which had declared incurring an expenditure of Rs 39.31 crores.

Top 5 regional parties which collected maximum funds and incurred maximum expenditure during Assembly elections

·         Among all the regional parties which have declared their expenditure during Assembly elections held between 2004 and 2015, the top 5 parties include SP, AAP, SAD, Shiv Sena and AITC.

·         The 5 parties have declared a total of Rs 291.92 crores as funds collected of which Rs 112.87 crores was in cash and Rs 179.02 crores was by cheque. This forms 82% of the total funds declared by all the regional parties collectively.

·         SP declared collecting a total of Rs 186.8 crores while AAP comes a distant second with Rs 38.54 crores as total funds collected.

·         SP declared incurring the maximum expenditure of Rs 96.54 crores during the Assembly elections followed by Shiv Sena with Rs 29.605 crores.

 

Details of parties defaulting in submission of expenditure statements – 2011 to 2015

Based on the information on the website of the ECI, ADR analysed availability of statements of election expenditure incurred by political parties during Assembly Elections held between 2011 and 2015.

·         Among the National Parties, election expenditure statements of NCP and CPIare not available for 2 Assembly electionsheld between 2011 and 2015.

·         The availability of election expenditure statements of Regional Parties is equally worrisome where the statements of JD(U) is unavailable for 15 Assembly Elections while that of SP is unavailable for 11 Assembly Elections.

Observations & Recommendations of ADR 

Observations

·         The election expenditure statements submitted by 49 Regional parties for Lok Sabha elections were analysed:

·         20 of the 49 parties had spent more than the total funds collected during the election period.

·         A total of Rs 58.56 crores was ‘remaining unpaid’ by 20 parties at the time of submission of expenditure statements. It is to be noted that 12 parties out of the 20 had declared expenditure more than the funds collected.

·         Maximum expenditure ‘remaining unpaid’ was declared by AIADMK, Rs 25.91 cr (66% of total exp); SP, Rs 9.72 cr (11% of total exp) and YSR-C, Rs 5.6 cr (31% of total exp).

·         The election expenditure statements submitted by 37 Regional parties forAssembly elections were analysed:

·         19 parties declared spending more than the funds collected

·         Rs 44.66 cr was the amount declared as ‘remaining unpaid’ by 16 parties. 10 of those who had declared amounts remaining unpaid had incurred expenditure more than the funds collected.

·         Maximum expenditure ‘remaining unpaid’ was declared by SP, Rs 17.79 cr (18% of total exp); AITC Rs 6.1 cr (33% of total exp); Shiv Sena, Rs 5.925 cr (20% of total exp)

·         ECI had issued transparency guidelines and made it effective from 1st Oct, 2014 stating that donors making cash donations made to parties would not get tax exemption. It also stated that parties should not make any expenditure above Rs 20,000 in cash (with exceptions). But there is no provision in the expenditure format for the parties to declare expenses below or above Rs 20,000. Hence, it appears that the parties are taking advantage of the opacity in the expenditure statements to collect and spend funds in cash.

·         Since the guidelines became effective, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar and Delhi have gone for polls.

·         During Bihar and Delhi assembly elections:

§  9 parties have submitted their expenditure statements: AAP, JDU, LJP, RJD, RLD, RLSP, SP, SAD, Shiv Sena

§  A total of Rs 9.39 crores was collected by them in cash (23% of total funds)

§  Rs 2.30 cr spent in cash (5.1% of total expenditure).

·         A total of Rs 7.46 cr was remaining unpaid at the time of submission of the expenditure statements

 Recommendations

·         It must be made mandatory for all political parties to submit their statements of expenditure in the format given by the ECI, within the prescribed time limit. Political parties not submitting on time or in the prescribed format should be heavily penalized.

·         The details of all donors who contribute to national and regional parties exclusively for their election campaigns must be declared in the public domain irrespective of the amount donated.

·         A format similar to the donations report along with the date of donations, submitted to the ECI on an annual basis, has to be prescribed for the expenditure statement so as to bring in more transparency in the finances of the political parties especially during elections when it is said that black money plays a major role.

·         Similar to the shadow observers of the ECI for monitoring expenditure of candidates, there must also be observers for monitoring the expenditure of political parties.

·         While it is crucial for political parties to submit their expenditure statements for greater financial transparency, it is equally important to file the same within the time limit set by the ECI and endorsed by the Supreme Court of India. The National and Regional Parties should, ideally, lead by example by filing complete and correct statements of expenditure to the ECI well in time for public scrutiny so as to encourage financial transparency. 

For details of total expenditure incurred in cash and cheque by political parties during the 3 Lok Sabha elections and 71 Assembly Elections, please refer to the attached reports (in Hindi and English).

Contact Details

Media and Journalist Helpline +91 80103 94248 Email:adr@adrindia.org

Maj Gen Anil Verma (Retd) Head National Election Watch Association for Democratic Reforms +91 8826479910 anilverma@adrindia.org

Prof Jagdeep Chhokar IIM Ahmedabad (Retd) Founder Member National Election Watch, Association for Democratic Reforms +919999620944 jchhokar@gmail.com

Prof Trilochan Sastry IIM Bangalore Founder Member, National Election Watch, Association for Democratic Reforms +919448353285, trilochans@iimb.ernet.in

Leave a comment Edit

CAIT SUPPORT PM FOR CASHLESS ECONOMY

May 23, 2016

CAIT SUPPORT PM FOR CASHLESS ECONOMY MENTIONED IN MANN KI BAAT

CAIT DEMANDS INCENTIVE SCHEMES TO ENCOURAGE ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has complimented Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for spelling out his vision about cashless society in his Man Ki Baat address made yesterday to the Countrymen. ” It will be a pro-active step towards eradication of black money since use of digital payments will bring accountability and make the system more transparent”-said CAIT. It has suggested that like PM Jan Dhan Yojna and Mudra Yojna, this vision of cashless society should be canvassed through a national campaign across the Country and an incentivisation scheme must be formulated to encourage more and more people to use electronic payments in their personal expenditure and business transactions. While saying so, the Prime Minister has set an agenda for of cashless economy as one of the priority of the Government-said CAIT. In line with PMs cashless vision, the CAIT will soon release a White Paper and a Roadmap on Less Cash economy in India and will also hold a national conference of stakeholders to take forward the cashless vision of Prime Minister.

In India 96% retail transactions are conducted in cash.Only 3.6% of households in India make cashless transactions. There are about 60 crore Debit Cards and 2 crore Credit Cards in the Country. Almost 95% of Debit Cards are used at ATMs to withdraw cash. The CAIT has suggested to levy 0.5% service charge on each withdrawl from ATMs to discourage cash withdrawals.

CAIT National President Mr. B. C.Bhartia & Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal while reaffirming the commitment to transform India and trader’s constituency of 5.77 crore small businesses to adopt digital technologies and electronic payments said that for India to see double digit growth, it is critical to leverage all modes of electronic payments like Debit/Credit Card, Point of Sale terminals and Mobile Applications to a great and wider extent. The Government should launch a massive national campaign for making awareness across the Country in association with Trade Associations, Resident Welfare Associations, Consumer Organisations, Banks, Financial Institutions, Chartered Accountants and other sections of the public. The CAIT has been at the fore front of a less cash vision by partnering with MasterCard since last more than One and a half year to educate merchants and traders about digital payments and e commerce. So far it has trained about 50 thousand traders all over the Country by holding regular workshops,seminars and conferences.

They further suggested that in order to ensure early adoption of cashless society, the Government should bring incentivisation policy which may include tax benefits, discounts in property tax, telephone and electricity bills and in other government revenue. There are merely about 12 lakh POS terminals in the Country. To augment usage of POS terminals at its availability at reasonable prices, the Government should facilitate manufacturing of Point of Sale (POS) terminals in the Country itself under Make in India program.Currently, the POS machines are imported. The CAIT has also called for abolition of import duty on POS terminals. It has also urged the Government to abolish transaction cost usually taken by the Banks on each transaction made through Debit/Credit Card which is a major deterrent in adoption of electronic payments.There also a need for easier KYC norms for small businesses alongwith a revised credit rating mechanism.

They further said that it is imperative that we adopt best available technologies & innovations. To achieve this, we must adopt a payment neutral approach that prioritizes a free & open market and a competitive playing field that encourages a race to the top for innovation, cost,security and integration and gives consumers and businesses the freedom of choice that is hallmark of various economies of the world. The National Payment Council of India (NPCI) should be made an independent regulator and Rupay must be handled by any separate Authority-added CAIT.  The NPCI should be working with the private sector to tackle the shared goal of moving to a less cash society.