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UPI for Feature Phones from RBI

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On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced UPI123Pay, a new digital payment option for feature phones based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The UPI system has so far been restricted to smartphones with internet access. India’s mobile phone population is estimated to be at 180 million. 78 crore of these people have smartphones, while the remaining 78 crores have feature phones. Due to the phone they use, tens of thousands of users have been unable to do UPI transactions. The central bank of India introduced this new payment mechanism to incorporate all such users and bring them into the mainstream of digital payments.

“UPI123Pay would enable NPCI to accomplish its goal of a billion or more daily UPI transactions,” said Biswamohan Mahapatra, head of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the country’s umbrella organization for retail digital payments.

Working of UPI on Feature Phones?

Users will be able to conduct UPI transactions on feature phones using UPI 123Pay. Except for the scan and pay UPI option available for smartphones, consumers will be able to use all other functionalities. Transactions with the new digital payment mode don’t require an internet connection. To utilize the UPI 123Pay service, people must link their bank accounts to their feature phones. People with feature phones can now use the UPI 123Pay option for a variety of payments, from person to person to the merchant. UPI 123Pay would employ Hindi and English as their primary languages at first.

“We feel that the novel functions available on feature phones would give UPI a boost in many geographies across the country, transforming the way payments are perceived,” Mahapatra said.

UPI: India’s Most Popular Payment Method

In recent years, UPI has become one of India’s most popular payment methods. UPI is the country’s single largest retail payment system in terms of transaction volume.

“A substantial portion of digitalization is limited to people with smartphones, notwithstanding our tremendous growth in digital payments.” “About 40 crore feature phone users had limited access to digital payments,” said T Rabi Sankar, deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He stated that the goal is to attract a significant number of feature phone users into the UPI payment system.

“To further popularise the usage of digital payments, a framework for retail offline payments across the country has been proposed.” This announcement has its roots in a series of successful pilot studies. The results of these experiments strongly suggest that there is more leeway for digital payment-related solutions, particularly in rural areas. According to Nitin Mathur, CEO of Tavaga Advisory Services, “the RBI is enthusiastic about expanding the ease of doing business in India as well as more innovative fintech prospects to capitalize on” as a result of this development.

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CIDCO Announces Weekly Water Cuts Across Navi Mumbai Nodes from November 2

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15% reduction in water supply, Kharghar, Panvel, Kalamboli, Kamothe, Ulwe and other areas to face scheduled disruptions.

The Water Cut

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has announced a 15 per cent water cut across several Navi Mumbai nodes from November 2, citing concerns over possible water shortages in the coming months.

Under the revised schedule, several areas will face a 24-hour water shutdown once a week, while parts of Ulwe and Dronagiri will receive water on alternate days.

The decision follows a Maharashtra government directive issued on October 5, asking water supply authorities to conserve available reserves and ensure drinking water availability until August 31, 2027. Concerns over the possibility of inadequate rainfall due to El Niño have also prompted precautionary measures.

Weekly water cut schedule:

  • Monday: Kharghar and New Panvel East.
  • Tuesday: Selected sectors of Ulwe and New Panvel West.
  • Wednesday: Kalamboli.
  • Thursday: Karanjade.
  • Friday: Taloja, Kalundre and Kamothe.

In parts of Ulwe, including Shelghar, Bamandongari and Nhava, water will be supplied on alternate days. Similar restrictions will apply to several sectors and villages in Dronagiri.

CIDCO has appealed to residents to use water judiciously, avoid washing vehicles and filling swimming pools with drinking water, prevent overhead tanks from overflowing and repair leaking taps and pipelines. The restrictions will remain in force until further notice. Residents have been urged to cooperate with the water conservation measures.

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NMMC to Challenge State’s Cluster Redevelopment Approvals in Bombay High Court

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General Body passes resolution seeking stay on pending Urban Renewal Scheme proposals until a city-wide infrastructure capacity study is completed.

The  Redevlopment

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has decided to challenge the Maharashtra government’s move to process pending cluster redevelopment proposals without assessing the city’s infrastructure capacity.

At its General Body meeting on November 2, the civic body passed a resolution by 60 votes to 31, directing the administration to seek a stay on Urban Renewal Scheme (URS) approvals until a comprehensive city-wide carrying capacity study is completed. NMMC has also decided to approach the Bombay High Court if the state proceeds with the pending approvals.

The move follows an October 15 communication from the Urban Development Department directing the processing of notified proposals pending before the High-Powered Committee.

Leader of the House Sagar Naik warned that additional construction without adequate infrastructure planning could lead to traffic congestion, water shortages and sewage management problems. He clarified that NMMC was not against redevelopment but questioned the need for a separate URS when existing development regulations allow redevelopment.

Corporator Suraj Patil proposed filing a writ petition under Article 226, seeking an interim stay on Cluster 1, Cluster 2 and other pending projects. Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat also supported the move, highlighting environmental concerns involving creek ecosystems and fisheries. Meanwhile, differences emerged within the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over the Ghansoli Simplex cluster project. Corporator Prashant Patil opposed the proposal, citing infrastructure constraints and claiming that 5,000 residents were willing to sign a memorandum against it.

Following the resolution, NMMC directed the Municipal Commissioner to communicate its objections to the state government and initiate legal proceedings.

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Sameer Wankhede, Vijay Nahata to Lead Anti-Drug Awareness Programme in Vashi

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‘Say No to Drugs, Yes to Army Career’ initiative to bring together over 800 students and youth on November 14.

The Programme

Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede and retired IAS officer Vijay Nahata will lead a youth awareness programme titled ‘Say No to Drugs, Yes to Army Career’ at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, on November 14.

Organised by the Veer Jawan Foundation under the tagline ‘Hello Gen Z’, the programme is expected to attract more than 800 participants, including students, NSS and NCC cadets, parents, teachers and youth representatives.

Wankhede, who will be the chief guest and keynote speaker, will address the dangers of drug addiction, its legal consequences and the methods used by drug dealers to target young people. Nahata, former Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, will preside over the event. Retired Colonel Sunil Sharma, foundation president Suresh Kakde, life coach Amit Choudhary and social workers Sarita Shiv Kumar Kherwasiya and Ashok Deshmane will also share their experiences and insights.

Established in 2018, the Veer Jawan Foundation works to support families of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Its initiatives include financial assistance, scholarships and community welfare programmes. Supported by Bihar Foundation and WISH 2 CARE, the event aims to spread awareness about drug abuse, encourage young people to consider careers in the armed forces and promote a drug-free Navi Mumbai.

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