Says fully digital banks to become commonplace soon

New Delhi: Stating that India has proved to the world that it was second to none when it came to adopting technology or innovating around it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said fully digital banks, without any physical branch offices, were already a reality and might become commonplace in less than a decade.

“As humans evolved, so did the form of our transactions. From barter system to metals, from coins to notes, from cheques to cards, today we have reached here,” he said while inaugurating InFinity Forum, a thought leadership Forum on FinTech through video conference. The forum has participation from over 70 countries.

Modi said the history of currency has shown tremendous evolution. In this connection, he pointed out that last year, in India, mobile payments exceeded ATM cash withdrawals for the first time. Transformational initiatives under Digital India, he noted, have opened doors for innovative Fintech solutions to be applied in governance.

The PM emphasised that now it was time to convert these Fintech initiatives into a Fintech revolution. “A revolution that helps to achieve financial empowerment of every single citizen of the country”, he said.

Explaining how technology has also catalyzed financial inclusion, Modi pointed out that from less than 50 per cent of Indians having bank accounts in 2014, India has almost universalised it with 430 million Jan Dhan accounts in the last seven years.

He also listed initiatives like 690 million RuPay cards clocking  1.3 billion transactions last year; UPI  processing around 4.2 billion transactions in just last month; almost 300 million invoices were uploaded on the GST portal every month; despite the pandemic, about 1.5 million railway tickets were getting booked online every day; last year, FASTag processed  1.3 billion seamless transactions; PM Svanidhi enabled access to credit for small vendors across the country;  e-RUPI enabled targeted delivery of specified services without leakages.

The PM stressed that financial inclusion was the driver of the Fintech Revolution. Explaining further, he said, Fintech was resting on 4 pillars: income, investments, insurance and institutional credit. “When income grows, investment becomes possible. Insurance coverage enables greater risk-taking ability and investments. Institutional credit gives wings for expansion. And we have worked on each of these pillars. When all these factors come together, you suddenly find so many more people participating in the financial sector,” he elaborated.

Modi stressed the importance of trust in Fintech in the light of the wide acceptance of these innovations among the masses. The common Indian has shown immense trust in the Fintech ecosystem by embracing digital payments and such technologies. “This trust is a responsibility. Trust means that you need to ensure that the interests of people are secured. Fintech innovation will be incomplete without Fintech security innovation”, he said.

The Prime Minister commented on the wider applicability of India’s experience in the Fintech area. He stressed India’s tendency to share experiences and expertise with the world and learn from them as well. “Our Digital Public Infrastructure solutions can improve the lives of citizens around the world,” he added.

Chairs joint security meeting in Kashmir

Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Friday reviewed security scenario in Kashmir Valley at a joint security meeting here and asked the officers to foil ill designs of the militants, Over Ground Workers (OGW) network and handlers.

The meeting was attended by ADGP Armed J&K SJM Gillani, IG (KOS) CRPF Deepak Rattan, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, IG (SOS) CRPF Ms Charu Sinha, DIG CKR Srinagar Sujit Kumar, BGS Ops 15 Corps P K Mishra, DIG CRPF North Srinagar Dr Randeep Kumar Rana, DIG CRPF South Srinagar Mathew A John, DIG BSF Ops Srinagar Arvinder Singh, SSP APCR Srinagar Shahid Mehraj Rather, SSP Srinagar Sandeep Choudhary, SSP PCR Kashmir Zubair Ahmed Khan and SP PC Srinagar Iftikar Talib.

Special DGP CID J&K, R. R. Swain attended the meeting through video conferencing from Jammu, a police spokesperson said.

Speaking to the officers the DGP expressed satisfaction over the synergy existing between the officers and formations of forces. He expressed hope that together security forces will continue to work harder for greater peace. DGP stressed upon the officers not to let the peaceful atmosphere be disturbed by the elements inimical to it by effectively and sincerely handling the lawful duties and commitments.

The DGP said that the action against militants and their OGW networks and handlers should be continued unabated and all such elements should be kept under check so as to foil their “ill designs that are aimed at disrupting normal lives of the people.”

He said that security grids need to be kept fully geared up at all levels with joint efforts of all security forces and agencies. He directed officers to review the security strategies more often so as to check for any loopholes if ignored. The DGP also took a review of the winter preparedness.

He appreciated the forces for the recent successes against militancy but stressed for continued pressure on militants and OGWs to consolidate the peace, the spokesperson said.

He directed the officers to stay focused and to maintain surveillance on the support system of (militants). He said that Pakistani agents and their handlers here are always looking for soft targets to foment trouble in the much better prevailing security scenario in J&K.

Officers from CRPF, Army, and BSF shared their views and assessments in the meeting.

Earlier, the DGP chaired a Police Establishment Board (PEB) during which various agenda points pertaining to capacity building and welfare of the police personnel were discussed.

“All the agenda points were taken one by one and discussed threadbare and appropriate decisions taken on each.”

The DGP said that various wings of police need to rationally review their deployments and see that persons posted at a particular location for very long are transferred out and replaced with suitable persons. This he said will enhance the capabilities of these units.

He also said that unauthorised attachments and localised arrangements should be done away with and cases be reviewed and recommendations must be justified while giving emphasis on encouraging the deserving personnel.

He said that the recommendations must be performance based and due weightage must be given to the circumstances, topography, and difficulty faced besides the perseverance and operational acumen displayed by the personnel must be taken as the touch stone for recommendations.

The DGP further stated that only those personnel should be rewarded who contributed to the professional work.

Pertinent to mention that during the year 2020 upto July 2021 out of turn promotions were given to four ASIs, forty HCs, 160 SgCts, 475 Cts and four Followers for their outstanding contribution and 393 SPOs were also absorbed in the department as constables for their outstanding duties.

New Delhi: Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Thursday said India is maintaining a close vigil on Chinese asset deployments in the Indian Ocean region, and that during the peak of tension at the India-China border naval assets were kept battleready.

Admiral Hari Kumar, who recently took over as the 25th Chief of Naval Staff, was asked about the situation when tension was at its peak along the India-China border.

“When the problem at the northern borders was there, our ships that were deployed on missions were forward deployed, and other ships were ready.

“We had kept their ships under close surveillance, which we continue to do even now. We maintain good domain awareness in our area of responsibility,” the Navy chief said.

A military standoff between India and China has been continuing in the Ladakh sector since May last year after China launched aggression in an attempt to alter the Line of Actual Control in that sector, creating an eyeball-to-eyeball situation.

Talking about the Indo-Pacific region, the Navy chief said the region has great importance for India, with over $200 billion dollar trade passing through the area.

Asked about the number of ships and submarines in the Indian Navy, compared to the Chinese Navy, the Admiral said India is not developing its capabilities vis a vis any particular country, and it’s based on India’s own assessment of its requirements.

“We have evolved from a 33-ships Navy to a potent, well balanced, capable force. We don’t look at capability development against any particular country, we develop capability depending on our maritime interests,” the Admiral said.

“There are capability development plans in place, since creation of CDS and DMA we have worked out a system called integrated capability development system which is intended to develop plans. It is a scientific process,” he said.

Asked about the formation of maritime theater command, the Navy chief said “We are looking at establishment of theater commands. Details are being worked out and will be finalised by the mid of next year.”

The Navy Chief also said despite complicated security situation and impact of Covid, the Indian Navy maintained its tempo and ensured India’s maritime interest. “We remain combat ready all the time,” he said. (UNI)

20-member Gujjar-Bakerwal delegation calls on Sinha

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday said that the government has developed a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the basic amenities reach the tribal population.

A 20-member delegation of Gujjar-Bakerwal community today called on Lieutenant Governor here at Raj Bhavan.

The delegation led by Sheikh Muzaffar, President, Jammu & Kashmir Nationalist People’s Front, comprised of members of Gujjar Qaumi Movement Kashmir and community members from various districts projected their issues and grievances and sought Lt Governor’s intervention for the redressal of the same.

The members of the delegation also expressed their gratitude to the Lt Governor-led administration for taking reformative measures for the welfare and empowerment of the tribal communities in J&K.

While interacting with the visiting representatives, the Lt Governor observed that the J&K Government is committed to safeguarding the rights of all the communities and is working in a planned manner for educational & socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities of the UT.

A comprehensive strategy has been developed to ensure that the basic amenities along with the benefits of all UT & Central sponsored welfare schemes and other developmental initiatives reach the tribal population of J&K, added the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor assured the members of the delegation that all their genuine issues would be taken up with the concerned authorities for their redressal on merit.

New Delhi: India and South Korea on Friday emphasised on indigenisation, joint development and joint production in the defence sector as well as partnership in critical and high technologies and supply chain resilience, during the Third Strategic Dialogue between the National Security Council Secretariats of India and the ROK here.

At the invitation of Deputy National Security Adviser Pankaj Saran, the Second Deputy Director of National Security, Kim Hyoung-zhin, visited New Delhi for the Strategic Dialogue.

Within the framework of the close and strategic partnership between India and ROK, the two sides held in-depth discussions to further enhance the Special Strategic Partnership.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen and deepen mutually beneficial strategic cooperation in areas of bilateral, regional and global interest. lndigenisation, joint development and joint production in the defence sector between India and ROK was emphasized upon. Partnership in critical and high technologies and supply chain resilience were also discussed, an official statement said.

The two sides identified areas of cooperation in Cyber Security and Information Technology, Maritime Security and threats and challenges from terrorism, extremism and radicalization.

It was agreed to strengthen synergies between India’s “Act East Policy” and ROK’s “New Southern Policy”.

During his visit, the Second Deputy Director of National Security of ROK called on the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh. (UNI)

Srinagar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday arrested Superintending Engineer;  a Technical Officer and a Junior Engineer, all of PWD (R&B), Circle Udhampur-Reasi, Udhampur (J&K) on the allegations of demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh from the complainant.

According to a statement, a case was registered on complaint against the accused on the allegations of demanding for bribe.

“It was alleged that complainant’s firm was awarded tender for construction of Medical Sub-Centre in District Reasi during 2017-18 and complainant executed some part of project.”

It was further alleged that Superintending Engineer, PWD (R&B), Circle Udhampur – Reasi demanded bribe of Rs. 3 lakh from the complainant for processing the file related to technical sanction of the said project, the statement further reads.

“CBI laid a trap and caught the Junior Engineer while demanding & accepting part bribe of Rs. 1.5 lakh from the complainant allegedly on behalf of Superintending Engineer, on the instructions of Technical Officer.  Later, the Superintending Engineer, PWD (R&B) and Technical Officer were also caught. Searches were conducted at the office & residential premises of the accused at Jammu, Udhampur and Srinagar.”

All the arrested accused is being produced today before the Court of Special Judge, CBI cases, Jammu, it said.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: 181 fresh covid-19 cases, 33 of them travelers, were reported along with two deaths due to the virus in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.

56 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 125 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 331257.

There were two deaths, both from Kashmir Valley, due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4479 persons—2185 in Jammu and 2294 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

Giving district wise details of the fresh cases, the officials said that Srinagar reported 56 cases, Baramulla 41, Budgam 11, Pulwama 1, Kupwara 4, Anantnag 1, Bandipora 7, Ganderbal 4, Kulgam 0, Shopian 0, Jammu 16, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 1, Doda 5, Kathua 0, Samba 0, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 1, Ramban 0 and Reasi 31.

Moreover, 168 Covid-19 patients were recovered during the time, 35 from Jammu Division and 133 from Kashmir, they said.

So far 331257 patients have recovered, leaving active case tally at 1708—403 in Jammu and 1305 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far, government informed parliament recently that 58 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K so far, the officials said.

The officials also informed that 65144 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Srinagar: District administration Baramulla Friday declared seven areas in the north Kashmir district as micro-containment zones.

“…In continuation of this office order issued under endorsement No: DMB/NO/COVID-19/2021/687 Dated: 22-11-2021 and in pursuance to the powers vested in me under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and under Section 144 CrPC, I, Bhupinder Kumar, IAS, District Magistrate Baramulla hereby order that the mentioned locations shall be Micro Containment Zones for containment of COVID-19 disease; Katibugh Kunzer, Jabla Uri, Paranpillan Uri, Nambla Uri, Badam Bagh Sopore, Pringal Boniyar and Noorkha Boniyar”, reads an order.

The mentioned areas shall be under strict lock down and tight perimeter control, except for essential needs even as no movement, whatsoever, in and out of the Micro Containment Zone except essential services and medical emergency, by virtue of the order till further directions.

For any medical emergency, individual can contact 24X7 control room at 01952-234343, 7006493646 and necessary facilitation shall be done, the order reads.

There shall be mandatory for the person’s residing in designated Containment Zones to get themselves tested and vaccinated, any refusal in this regard shall invite action including lodging of FIR under relevant provisions of Disaster Management Act, Duty Magistrate, BMO and SHO concerned of the area shall ensure that 100% sampling and testing is done, the order reads.

It is further ordered that SSP Baramulla/Sopore shall deploy necessary manpower for enforcement of restriction and Tehsildar concerned shall be the overall in-charge for enforcing of Micro Containment SOP’s in the notified zones. He shall also be Duty Magistrate, Administrator and Nodal Officer for each containment zone and the BMO concerned shall ensure deployment of sufficient teams for sampling and surveillance of the designated MCZs, the order reads. (GNS)

Srinagar: Kashmir Valley and Ladakh continued to reel under freezing temperatures with Srinagar recording the second night on Friday.

A meteorological department official here said that Srinagar recorded minus 2.4°C against previous night’s minus 1.8°C. It was second coldest night after December 1 when mercury fell to 2.5°C, lowest temperature recorded this season.

Qazigund recorded minimum temperature of minus 1.8°C against minus 1.5°C on the previous night, he said. It was minus 0.8°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir for this time of the year, the official said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 4.1°C against minus 4.2°C on previous night. The famous resort in south Kashmir was coldest place in entire Valley.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.3°C against minus 1.4°C on previous night and normal of minus 0.6°C, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.8°C against minus 3.3°C on the previous night, the official said.

Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 1.0°C against minus 1.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 5.6°C against last night’s minus 4.6°C while Kargil town recorded a low of minus 4.0°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 12.9°C, the official said.

The weatherman has forecast widespread light to moderate snowfall and rains in plains of Jammu and Kashmir during 4-6 December.

“A fresh western disturbance most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas during 4th (evening) to 6th (Afternoon) December with peak activity on 5th December,” the official said, adding, “”Widespread light to moderate snowfall in middle and higher reaches of Kashmir/Jammu and light snow/rain over plains of Kashmir/Jammu  is expected.”

He said higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Shopian and Ganderbal districts may receive 6-9 inches of Snow during the period.

Regarding the probable impact, he said, there may be temporary disruption of air and surface traffic over passes like Zojila, Sinthan Top, Razdan Top, Mugal Road due to snow and freezing temperatures on December 5.

The MeT official said that there should be proper prunning of orchards and withheld irrigation and fertilizer application in wheat and mustard crops in plains of Jammu during period. (GNS)