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Paytm at a Super Market - Photo from Inc42Read Time: 2minutes
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (PPBL) to stop accepting new customers due to non-compliance issues. Additionally, existing customers will not be able to make any new deposits, credit transactions, top-ups, or withdrawals after February 29, 2024.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of Paytm, has reassured its users that the existing services will continue, even though the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed to stop onboarding new clients. The directive states that, from February 29, 2024, no additional transactions will be permitted, but the existing balances can still be utilized.
Security in Delhi has been increased as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) intends to protest against alleged rigging in the Chandigarh mayoral polls. At the same time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to hold a demonstration against the corruption charges leveled against Arvind Kejriwal’s government.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently carried out searches at the office and residence of Harsh Mander, a retired IAS officer and activist. The investigation is related to alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The NGO founded by Mander, Aman Biradari, is currently under scrutiny.
The US State Department has approved India to purchase 31 MQ-9B armed drones at an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion. This acquisition will significantly improve India’s ability to conduct unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in sea lanes of operation. The announcement regarding the deal was made during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June 2023.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not attend the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) hearing for the fifth time. The party claims that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has a hidden agenda to apprehend Kejriwal and overthrow the Delhi government. They have vowed to prevent this from happening.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) can be classified as a minority institution under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution. This case is centered around the question of whether a university that receives funding from the central government, such as AMU, can be designated as a minority institution.
Delhi woke up to dense fog after recent rains, affecting flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Weather Department predicts more rain over the weekend, which may improve the city’s air quality.
Karnataka Congress MP DK Suresh has sparked controversy by calling for the creation of a “separate South Indian country.” He claims that funds intended for the South are being redirected to North India, highlighting the necessity of fair distribution. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have criticized this divisive position, and have pledged to uphold national unity.
Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, announced Bard Advanced, a subscription-based AI chatbot that offers advanced capabilities like understanding, summarizing, coding, and planning. It will be available in over 230 countries, and over 40 languages. It is designed to compete with Microsoft’s Copilot Pro but no release date has been announced yet.
After 30 years, the Shringar Gauri puja in the Gyanvapi’s South cellar has resumed. Varanasi district judge Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha has permitted the priests to recommence the worship of Hindu deities in that section of the contested location.
Paytm at a Super Market - Photo from Inc42