Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

After note ban, will Modi govt now ban cheque books for its digital push?

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the government needs to encourage the use of debit and credit cards

After deciding to revoke the legal tender of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes in November last year, the Narendra Modi -led central government might now be working on another disruptive step to boost digital transactions — banning the cheque book. A senior functionary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on November 16 said the Centre might withdraw the bank cheque book facility in the "near future" to encourage digital transactions.
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the government needed to encourage the use of debit and credit cards. "In all probability, the Centre may withdraw the cheque book facility in the near future to encourage digital transactions," he said.
Impact of cheque book facility withdrawal
Demonetisation was a big disruption for most Indians, right from poor labourers to big industrialists. Now, the withdrawal of the cheque book facility could have a massive impact as well. Most business transactions are conducted through cheques. According to experts, 95 per cent transactions currently take place via cash or cheques.
Since cash transactions have declined, transaction by cheque might have increased after demonetisation.
Use of cheque in India
Cheques are fairly popular in SME payments. By taking a PDC (post-dated cheque) against the delivery of goods, a supplier secures payments due in future from its customer. People pay by cheques while buying land and house, too.
Many landlords now take rent from tenants via cheque. Since November 8, 2016, digital payments like BHIM have grown. However, their sweet spot has been small-value payments (two to three figures). The retail and commercial payment usage strongly suggests that cheque is a very compelling method of payment for large-value payments (four figures and above).
Growth of digital transactions
The Narendra Modi-led BJP government has been pushing for a less-cash society. While digital transactions have shown mixed trends since demonetisation, overall cashless payments are much higher than in the pre-demonetisation months. (more)

Friday, September 1, 2017

Why Modi is keen on 3rd & 'final' cabinet reshuffle before 2019 polls


The long awaited cabinet reshuffle of the Narendra Modi government, its third and possibly its final before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, is set to take place by Sunday afternoon.
Laggards among the ministers are being dropped. Performers among ministers of state, including those with independent charges, are set to be promoted. Some of the leaders who have excelled in organisational work will be included in the council of ministers, and some ministers asked to return to party work.
New ally Janata Dal (United) will get representation. Existing allies, who need to be placated in the run up to the 2019 polls, could get more ministerial berths. There is still no clarity on whether AIADMK might be included in the cabinet.
However, the shape of the forthcoming expansion and reshuffle would highlight the failures of the Modi government on some of its key promises – job growth and skill development, improvements promised in the farm sector and Ganga rejuvenation.
In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had promised 20 million jobs a year if voted to power. However, job growth has been abysmal, and significantly lower than the last three years of the UPA 2 government. The PM and BJP chief Amit Shah have argued how the MUDRA Scheme has provided loans to over 80 million people, which in turn has provided employment in the informal sector.
But it's becoming increasingly apparent that the over two percent dip in GDP growth, the impact of demonetisation and inability of the industry to invest resulted in poor job growth. The Modi government’s plans to impart skills to a large section of the youths has fallen way short of its targets. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, despite his hard work in what was a newly carved out ministry in 2014, couldn’t meet the PM’s expectations as the minister of state (independent charge) for skill development and entrepreneurship. (more)

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Modi's Independence Day speech is all about creating a 'New India'

Says note ban helped nab shell firms and GST increased efficiency

In the penultimate Independence Day speech of his current term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday looked beyond the Lok Sabha polls due in April 2019 to give a call for building a “new India” by 2022.
If in his previous three speeches, the PM had announced such path-brea king steps as the abolition of the Planning Commission and schemes such as Startup India and Stand-Up India, Modi’s speech on Tuesday was devoid of new announcements except the launch of a website to honour gallantry award winners.
Instead, the PM focused on giving a report card of his government’s performance in the last three years and spelt out his vision of a “new India”. He indicated the lynchpins of his Lok Sabha campaign would be his government’s efforts at curbing corruption, building modern infrastructure, and delivering welfare.
Modi said by 2022, the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, he envisioned a country where each family would have a pucca house, electricity, and power supply; farmers would earn twice of what they get currently; the country would be free of terrorism, communalism, casteism, corruption, and nepotism; and it would be clean and healthy.
The PM appealed to people to leave behind the “chalta hai” attitude, to think of “badal sakta hai”, or we can transform. Asking countrymen to take the “New India pledge and move ahead”, the PM quoted from scriptures: “If we don’t accomplish work within a stipulated time, we shall not be able to get the desired results.”
Modi asked people to replicate between 2017 and 2022 the resolve Indians showed from 1942 (Quit India Movement) to 1947. He said if Quit India’s slogan was “Bharat chhoro” today’s slogan should be “Bharat jodo”. (more)

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

11-year-old Pakistani girl writes to Modi, asks him to take steps towards peace, friendship

Aqeedat Naveed congratulated Modi on UP poll victory



Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) historic mandate in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, an eleven year old Pakistani school girl wrote to him saying that he should now focus towards winning more hearts of Indians and Pakistanis alike, by becoming a bridge of peace between the two nations.

In her letter, Aqeedat Naveed highlighted the need for peace between India and Pakistan, and said that Prime Minister Modi can help speed up the process, reports DunyaNews.

"Once my father told me that winning of hearts is a marvelous job. Perhaps you have won the hearts of Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP. But I must tell you if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace. Both countries need good relation. Let's make a peace bridge between India and Pakistan. Let's decide that we will not buy bullets, will buy books. We will not buy the guns, will buy the medicine for the poor people," Aqeedat wrote in the two-page letter.


She further emphasised that the choice between peace and conflict lies open for both the nations, and signed off by congratulating the prime minister for the UP polls victory.

The fifth grader, who hails from Lahore, had earlier written a letter to Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj as well on the matter of peace and has also received several responses from officials in New Delhi. 

Friday, March 10, 2017

Maternity Bill passed: 26 weeks paid leave, creche a must, other highlights

A day after the world celebrated the International Women's Day, the Parliament on Thursday passed a bill that will benefit about 1.8 million women in India. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Lok Sabha, months after the Rajya Sabha approved the measure that takes India to the third position in terms of the number of weeks for maternity leave after Canada and Norway where it is 50 weeks and 44 weeks, respectively. While the bill has given many women reasons to cheer, it has left others with a heartburn.

It is a “historic day for women”, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said, adding that the Bill will “pave the way for a healthy and secure mother and a well-nourished child”. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi called it a “momentous step” and thanked her colleagues for supporting the Bill.
Top highlights of The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016
* The Bill aims to protect the employment of women during the time of pregnancy and entitles them to full paid absence from work to take care of their child
* Women working in the organised sector will now be entitled to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks
* The maternity leave beyond the first two children will continue to be 12 weeks
* The new law will apply to all establishments employing 10 or more people and the entitlement will be for only up to first two children. For third child, the entitlement will be for only 12 weeks.
* The bill also makes it mandatory for employers in establishments with 30 women or 50 employees, whichever is less, to provide crèche facilities either in office or in any place within a 500-metre radius.
Aslo Read :
Election Results 2017 Live - UP, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur

Friday, February 17, 2017

I am 'adopted son' of UP, says PM Modi

He said the future of the state cannot be ensured without ridding it of SP, BSP, Congress

Calling himself the “adopted son” of UP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the future of the state could not be ensured without ridding it of the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress. Invoking Lord Krishna at an election meeting here to suggest a strong connect between Gujarat and UP, Modi, who represents Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, said the state was his “mai-baap” (parents) and he will not desert it.
“Vote for a full majority to the Bharatiya Janata Party. I promise to show you the ways of all the problems you are facing within five years,” he said, telling the crowd that all pollsters had predicted BJP getting massive support in the first two phases of polling.
Highlighting the problems faced by the state and its national importance, Modi said poverty will be removed from the country only when it is eradicated from UP.
“This is the land of Ganga and Yamuna where the land is most fertile with crores of labourours but poverty still exists here...why is this so? There is nothing wrong with the people here or their capabilities or shortage of resources,” he said.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Maharashtra city polls in Feb, spotlight on BJP-Sena parleys

Stage is set for polls to 10 municipal corporations, 26 zilla parishads and 296 panchayat samitis

Breaking News : Voting for the 10 municipal corporations, including the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) controlled BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will take place on February 21. Besides the BMC, polling for nine other corporations includes Thane, Ulhasnagar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagpur. The nomination will begin on January 27, while the last date for filing nominations is February 3. The last date for campaigning is February 19. Polling is on February 21 and counting is on February 23.
Further, the polling for the 26 zilla parishads, which are currently dominated by the Opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will be held in two phases on February 16 (for 15 zilla parishads) and on February 21 (for 11 zilla parishads). The counting for these bodies is also slated for February 23. This accounts for more than 80 per cent of the total voters in the state. Maharashtra Election Commissioner J S Saharia, on Wednesday, announced the poll schedule and the application of the model code of conduct.
The ruling BJP and Shiv Sena will make every attempt to further consolidate their position, while the Congress and the NCP will attempt to regain their past glory. Incidentally, the BJP and Shiv Sena, who until recently were engaged in a verbal duel on going solo in the election to the 227-member BMC with an annual budget of Rs 37,000 crore, on Wednesday initiated seat-sharing talks. Both the saffron parties have been ruling the BMC for the past 25 years. However, the Congress and the NCP are still divided over the poll alliance.(more)

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Live: PM Modi pays last respect to Jayalalithaa, consoles Sasikala, Panneerselvam


People gather in huge number at Rajaji Hall to pay their last respect to Jayalalithaa
13:40: Narendra Modi leaves Rajaji Hall.
13:33: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respect to Jayalalithaa, consoles Sasikala, Panneerselvam.
13:31: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam breaks down in front of Narendra Modi.
13:25: At least one million queue up at Rajaji Hall in Chennai to get a last glimpse of Jayalalithaa
13:18: BSP Chief Mayawati to attend Jayalalithaa's funeral
13:12: Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu): Supporters shave their heads in mourning after the demise of#JJayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/hrhWYrgAoU

13:08: Jayalalithaa was an iron lady. An amazing woman and a great leader. Connect she had with people was unprecedented. It is a huge loss: Shatrughan Sinha
13:04 PM: President Pranab Mukherjee has left Delhi for Chennai to pay last tributes to Jayalalithaa, who passed away on Monday.
12:59: Tamil Nadu: PM Modi arrives in Chennai to pay last tributes to #JJayalalithaa who passed away yesterday pic.twitter.com/TKjc3Adt4T

11:38: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive in Chennai soon to pay his last respect and tributes to one of his political friends J Jayalalithaa

11:27: Jayalalithaa was true fighter and great inspiration to many women leaders across country: TRS MP K Kavitha
11:23: India has lost one of its shining stars. Jayalalithaa ji made her mark both as an artist and as a politician. Deeply sad at her demise: Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad

Click here to watch this video


10:33: Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. She has left a huge void in Indian politics. This video is my tribute to her. (more)

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Will supporters of demonetisation please click yes, PM Modi asks nation

Through 'Jan Jan Ki Baat,' Modi asked 10 questions to gauge the mood of nation post demonetisation

After ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Narendra Modi government is experimenting with ‘Jan Jan Ki Baat’ to get people’s feedback on burning issues. Within an hour of the Prime Minister asking citizens of the country to rate his latest initiative—demonetisation—on his narendramodi app, there were 3,700 retweets and 7,900 likes on his Twitter handle. Soon, Jan Jan Ki Baat was trending on social media with ‘’cashless India’’ stopping to give its feedback on the banning of big notes.
It is not known yet how many have taken time out to assess the latest initiative of the government, but the questions asked are pointed. With several state elections lined up through 2017, the PM wants to be sure how people have responded to demonetization as a step to eliminate black money.
It’s a 10-step survey, beginning with a simple question—do you think there’s black money in India. Then it goes on to ask whether you think it needs to be eliminated and what you think of the government efforts in eliminatingblack money etc. From the fifth question onwards, the survey gets into demonetisation full steam. Question number 5: How do you assess the government move to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes? One has to move the fingers along the wheel to rate, while green and red lights flash on the screen to suggest what your assessment is.Read more

Monday, November 21, 2016

Lining up at the ATM? Here's how your cash actually gets there

From the printing press to the ATM, its a journey that starts with calculations at the Reserve Bank of India

Everyone likes money, especially with the Modi government's Demonetisation policy in full swing. But how does the Rs 100 note, which has reasserted its real value, and the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes reach your nearest automated teller machine (ATM)?
From the printing press to the ATM, its a journey that starts with calculations at the Reserve Bank of India and culminates in the execution of a very complicated logistics plan.
From the printing press to the ATM:
1) Finding our the country's cash needs: The RBI first calculates India's annual cash requirement. According to an Indian Express report, the calculation takes into account the quantity of notes in circulation, those which might have been destroyed, and how many would be needed for replacement. Other factors, the report added, such as projected GDP growth and inflation are also accounted for. The process starts early in the calendar year, before the new fiscal year begins, and RBIinforms the Ministry of Finance about the amount of currency that needs to be printed.
2) Telling the printing presses: India has four printing presses: One in Nashik (Maharashtra), one in Dewas (Madhya Pradesh), another in Mysuru (Karnataka( and the last in Salboni (West Bengal). These presses print out the notes after an order is placed with them and instructions are received regarding denominations and quantity of notes to be printed. The high-security paper used to print the notes comes from the currency paper mills in Mysuru and Hoshangabad.
3) Distributing the notes across the country: Once the notes have been printed, they need to be distributed across 19 regional centres of the RBI. Along with these centres, there are 4,000currency chests which serve areas not covered under these centres and they too need to receive the freshly printed notes. However, as explained by the IE report, even after these notes have reached their destinations, they do not hold any value till they are backed by cash or securities of equal value.Read more

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Cost of demonetisation for India Inc: Stranded trucks, unpaid workers, cancelled bills


Like millions of Indians fed up with corruption and counterfeiting, Vimal Somani cheered Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock move to replace all high-value banknotes. Two weeks on, his business is being hammered by the ensuing cash crunch.
Sales at Somani's aluminium foil maker, Rockdude Impex, have fallen by roughly a quarter in the past week, and the cash shortage that followed the "demonetisation" drive has left his supply chain in tatters: his trucks are stranded with no money for fuel, workers won't load goods for free, and distributors can't pay up.
Modi's move on Nov. 8 was aimed at cracking down on corruption and flushing out funds stashed away in India's "black economy". But the cancellation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes ($7.3 and $14.7), more than 80 percent of currency in circulation, threatens to push Asia's third-largest economy into a liquidity crisis.
Consumer spending makes up 56 percent of India's $2 trillion economy. But with just the small stock of smaller Denomination notes available and a struggle to get hold of new bills, consumers are holding back.
The government has acknowledged that the disruption would last weeks because of delays in note printing and technical problems with ATM machines, but Modi has made a plea for patience until Dec. 30. The government said it could not have printed new notes or recalibrated cash machines in advance for fear of the move leaking out.
Meanwhile, supply chains at small, medium and even larger companies are breaking down, underlining just how much corporate India - not just the shadow economy - relies on hard cash.
"The entire supply chain has broken," said Somani, who employs 150 people across India from his base outside Mumbai.
Problems at Rockdude go from its network of suppliers to its 1,500 distributors and 150 stockists. Its sales team, spread from Delhi to Nagaland in the east and all the way to the south, is rapidly running short of cash to promote a planned new product, even for the rickshaw rides they use to travel.
Revenues have frozen, Somani says, but fixed costs continue, including wages. These are paid online, but his staff cannot get access without being given time off to queue at the bank.
"We are cutting production," he added. "If this goes on for two more months, then it will hit us very badly."
An executive at a mid-sized hair oil manufacturer, a beauty staple in India, said sales had crumpled as consumers simply stopped buying shampoos and lotions. Wholesale markets, which operate in cash, are shut. Distributors have no cash.
"We are planning to extend some discounts to the distributors so that they at least replenish the amount of stocks they are selling, instead of not buying from us at all," he said.
"We are cutting production every day," he added.
Like many of the businessmen interviewed by Reuters, he declined to be named, given the sensitivity of the issue.
CASH CRUNCHED
In the year to March 2017, the cash crunch is estimated to pull down India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth from last year's 7.6 percent by as much as 4.1 percentage points. Brokerage Ambit Capital says it does not rule out a contraction in the October-December quarter.
Corporate operating profits are tipped to fall by as much as 40 percent in the current quarter.
People ranging from taxi drivers and street hawkers to big consumer goods firms have seen their earnings plummet by as much as 80 percent in the first week of the swap alone, according to some analysts' estimates.Read more

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Another set of rules: Govt limits bank exchange from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2,000

It also allowed withdrawal of upto Rs 2.5 lakh from bank accounts for the explicit purpose of weddings




The government, on Thursday, announced another set of changed rules as queues continued to day eight of its demonetisation drive. It reduced the limit of over-the-counter exchange of old notes for new ones to Rs 2,000 per person from Rs 4,500 earlier.

The centre has also given the option to its lower level employees up to Group C to draw an advance of Rs 10,000 from their November salaries.

Besides, it relaxed the weekly withdrawal limits for farmers and Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) traders.

It also allowed withdrawal of up to Rs 2.5 lakh from bank accounts for the explicit purpose of weddings.

“To enable larger number of people to get benefit, with effect from Nov 18 the existing limit of Rs 4,500 will be reduced to Rs 2,000. This will be once per person. The usage of indelible ink continues. The move is to ensure that a larger number of people reach the exchange counters,” Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said at a media briefing.

To questions that this move implied a shortage of cash with the banks, Das said that that was a wrong assumption and that there was enough money in the system.

Central govt employees can get salary advance in cash

Das said that central government employees up to group C, including those of state-owned companies, military, railways and para-military organisations, will be given the option of taking salary advance up to Rs 10,000 in cash, which will be adjusted against their November salaries.

What's in to for farmers?

Given that crop sowing has slowed down at the commencement of Rabi Season due to a cash crunch, the centre will now also allow farmers farmers to draw Rs 25,000 per week against farm loans sanctioned or Kisan credit cards to meet their expenses. Farmers can also withdraw the same amount per week from their own accounts. Read more.

Rajya Sabha to resume discussion on demonetisation, rocky session ahead for LS

Lok Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday after paying tributes to the members who passed away



(Samajwadi Party members Ramgopal Yadav speaks as CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury shows a Rs 2000 note in the Rajya Sabha on the opening of the winter session of Parliament in New Delhi)

The debate on demonetisation, which was kicked off on the first day of the winter session in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after suspending all business in response to notices given by a host of opposition members, will continue on Thursday.

During the course of a seven-hour debate, the opposition took on the government, saying the move demonetisation of high currency notes is "ill-conceived", and it had led to an economic anarchy in the country.

The government, however, rejected the allegation, saying the move is in the national interest, and has been hailed by the common man.

The Centre asked the opposition to clear its stand on corruption.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday after paying tributes to the members who passed away.

The Congress and the Trinamool Congress parties have sought an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Thursday for a discussion on the demonetisation issue.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted all the opposition parties to cooperate and extend support to the government's crusade against black money and corruption. Read more.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

How can Modi transform India?

Why is Narendra Modi so popular among Indians?



NeelaLohith Penmetsa, Following Modi since 2013. He said..

I become an admirer of Modi ever since he came to the national stage. After learning about him slowly through various sources, he became my superhero and joined my list of idols like Sachin, Rahman etc. These are the people who I admire at a personal level.

Observing Modi I immediately understood that he is a MASTER of presentation and public relations. I believe that’s a great thing because we are living in a generation where presentation is everything. Actions and words can be well thought of but some reactions are instinctive. Such reactions come from a person’s true nature and value system.

I was watching Modi’s town hall meeting on youtube and saw a couple of such reactions from this man.

Context: Modi was felicitating the prize winners of some social governing initiative.

A young girl went up the stage to collect her prize touched Modi’s feet as a sign of great respect. His reaction to this was equally respectful regardless of his age and stature.


Another team went up the stage to meet him. As they were getting ready for their picture taken with the prime minister, Modi accidentally stepped on a person’s foot. He was super quick to apologise immediately both with words and action.


I guess this is one of the reasons why many like him. He behaves like a very normal and simple person even though he is the leader of a BILLION people.


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6-yr-old writes to PM, gets prompt help for heart surgery




Vaishali, a 6 year old child, was diagnosed with a hole in her heart.

Her family belonged to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category but lacked documents for the same.

She was rejected medical aid by many hospitals.

That’s when she wrote a letter to our Honorable Prime Minister.

Within 5 days, her school authorities contacted her uncle.

As per the instructions of the PMO, the District collector and Health Officer arranged for an immediate meeting.

Ruby Hall Clinic came forward to her rescue and the operation was successfully conducted for free.

On June 26th, 2016, she met the man who changed her life.

The picture is in loving memory of that meeting.

The ability to reach out to common masses, in times of their need, keeps his popularity intact.

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Know more about How can Narendra Modi transform India?




Few years back our former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi for a cup of tea. CM Modi, being a very self-respected man did not want to drink free tea. So he decided to give an idea regarding a problem of our country to our PM. The problem is as follows :
A huge portion of the border between India and Pakistan runs through the deserts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. For security from Pakistan we are constructing a fence on this land. But due to the condition of soil the fence keeps on collapsing.
Modi gave a solution to this problem. The solution was to ask the Border Security Force, which having its own technical staff and engineering group is an established organization, to construct solar power parks over this hundreds of square kilometers on the desert. This single task will get the following jobs done:
It will give the Border Security Force some work to do in desert. Thus creating new jobs and eradicating unemployment.
It will solve the problem of energy crisis as it will be a huge source of renewable energy.
It will act as a barrier which will make the job of trespassing in India from Pakistan much difficult solving the problem of security.
Therefore many problems will be solved after getting this job done. This is an example of killing many birds with one shot.
After reading my answer, you decide yourself how Modi can transform India. More about Narendra modi Click here
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