UPI, as a mode of payment, has become one of the most popular methods, comprising more than half the retail payments in the country. However, the offering by NPCI is limited to internet-enabled smartphones. Also, interestingly, 78% of merchant payments via UPI for the month of February were of less than Rs 500 in value, while for peer-to-peer payments, 59% were worth less than Rs 500. This points towards a trend of UPI being mostly used for smaller retail transactions.
The availability of the service on feature phones without an internet connection could help it penetrate into rural areas of the country, enhancing financial inclusion and digital adoption, while also driving payments’ volumes on the platform.
According to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, UPI recorded more than 450 crore transactions worth Rs 8.26 lakh crore in February 2022, almost double when compared to a year ago. In 2022-21, the total value of transactions was around Rs 41 lakh crore. In the current fiscal, the total volume of transactions is Rs 76 lakh crore.
“This move is designed to increase digital penetration of financial services and help people at the bottom of the pyramid, who cannot afford smartphones, to participate in UPI transactions. It will thus bring a majority of them into the digitisation fold,” Anand Kumar Bajaj, the founder and CEO of PayNearby, said. He added: “As it does not require internet connections, it will empower regional rural markets to join the digital payments bandwagon.”
How does one use UPI123Pay?
UPI123Pay is a three-step method to initiate and execute services for users.
It includes calling an IVR (interactive voice response) number, app functionality in feature phones, missed call-based approach and also proximity sound-based payments. The missed call feature would allow phones to access their bank accounts and perform routine transactions, such as receiving or transferring funds, regular purchases, bill payments, etc. A user just has to give a missed call on the number displayed at the merchant outlet. The customer will then receive an incoming call to authenticate the transaction by entering the UPI pin. The scan-and-pay function of UPI, available on smartphones, is not there on UPI123Pay.
How does it take the UPI programme forward?
Even though UPI can alternatively be accessed through the National Unified USSD Platform using the code *99#, the process has not seen an uptick in adoption or popularity. However, with UPI123Pay, it would reach 40 crore feature phone users in the country, potentially making a material improvement in the way they access the popular payments platform.
The RBI estimates that overall volumes on UPI will touch Rs 100 crore soon and UPI123Pay could play a significant part in it.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health (MoH) on Friday said it has recorded 280 new infection cases with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours, raising tally of the cases to 625,202. The MoH spokesperson, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad, said in a statement to KUNA that 560 new recovery cases were listed, during the same period, increasing tally of the cured to 618,194, adding no deaths were recorded, thus the death toll remained at 2,549. There are currently 17 cases at intensive care units, while the overall count of the infected cases that needed treatment dropped to 4,459, in addition to 114 cases in covid-19 wards. Dr. Al-Sanad also reported 7,571 new PCR tests were freshly conducted, with the whole count of these examinations hitting 7.7 million
Earlier the official spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad, stated that the daily Covid 19 cases on the ministry’s official accounts on social media will be stopped and only be published on website from the coming week. Al Sanad further stated that there has been improvement in the epidemiological situation in the country, thanks to Almighty God and efforts of the health workers, state institutions, citizens and expats.
Price hikes on goods worldwide due to and the negative repercussions of supply chains or value added tax reform will not be an objective reason for stalling progress on the tax reform law or stopping the work on drafts of value-added taxes and selectivity or Uniform Tax Procedures.
Furthermore, the sources said that the increase in oil prices would not derail or postpone reform plans, since the rise in oil revenues would relieve a lot of pressure on the Government as a consequence of reforms. As a result, the reform plans should not be shelved since they are metaphysical and not guaranteed.
Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) announced yesterday launching fifth liquified gas line at Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, the company’s second largest project after the clean fuel project. The company’s CEO Waleed Al-Bader stated that the pipeline reinforces the company’s production of liquified gas, adding to it around 805 million square feet of gas and 106,000 barrels of condensates, marking a 30 percent increase in production.
Bader explained that the fifth line reflects the company’s objectives of expanding profitable derivatives that correspond to global markets, indicating that gas derivatives are considered the company’s best products in terms of being eco-friendly and very profitable, adding that the project provides work opportunities for national cadres.
Chairman of Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery Shujaa Al-Ajmi elucidated that the project works on treating natural gas extracted from oil wells, as well as producing gases of methane, ethane, propane, butane, and natural gasoline. Ajmi added that the project includes a secondary unit that produces clean fuel gas, bolstering safety levels. Furthermore, Ajmi spoke of the challenges the coronavirus pandemic proposed saying that the project was operated successfully despite delays in equipment importing and difficulties in providing specialized technicians.
Meanwhile, acting chairman Ghanim Al-Otaibi commented that this large-scale project required, at one point, 6,900 workers on site, and working hours from the beginning of the project to the end reached 57 million working hours, affirming that there were no dangerous accidents as safety measures were observed. Otaibi also affirmed the keenness of the company on incorporating local businesses in the project, as the private sector’s share comprised 20 percent of the project’s cost, adding that local companies also participated in importing equipment and constructions.
The temperatures are expected to drop in Kuwait starting from next Sunday due to a polar cold wave, said Astronomer Badr Al-Amira.
Arab newspaper Al-Qabas reported that this winter will be the last to experience the polar cold wave according to astronomer Badr Al-Amira. Dust will occur during the next few days from Sunday onward because of northwesterly winds.
According to local media reports, an Egyptian four-month-old boy has four kidneys after experiencing various symptoms. In the meantime, he is under medical supervision in the intensive care unit until doctors decide whether to intervene surgically.
Among all birth defects related to the urinary tract, experts say duplex kidneys, also called duplicated ureters, are the most prevalent.
There are two distinct drainage systems from the kidney as a result of an incomplete fusion of the upper and lower poles.
When a fetus is developing inside the mother's womb, errors in cell division can lead to duplex kidneys. Neither pregnancy nor anything else in the fetus's life might lead to the defect.
Despite this, there is evidence to suggest the condition can be passed down from parent to child. In cases of duplex kidneys in one parent, the child has a 50 percent chance of having the same condition.
In most cases, treatment is not necessary. If treatment is required, it includes:
- Ureteroureterostomy: A ureter sewn into a normal kidney ureter near the bladder is attached to an ectopic ureter. Thus, urine can flow normally from the upper part of the kidney.
- Ureteral reimplantation: The ectopic ureter is sewn directly into the bladder near its bottom. Thus, urine drains properly and is prevented from backing up.
- Nephrectomy: A surgical procedure that is rarely used - it is a last resort. This procedure involves removing some or all of the kidney that is not functioning properly. If this is done, incontinence will be eliminated and infection risks will be reduced. When one kidney functions poorly but the other one is normal, this surgery is used.
The Occupational Safety Center at the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) is on the verge of carrying out an extensive inventory on the files of the companies that do not comply with the requirements and regulations for providing insurance for occupation-related injuries and accidents and for paying compensation to the victims if such situations occur, reports Al-Qabas daily. According to informed sources, PAM’s center requested companies to renew their files and attach the quarterly statistics (of every three months) along with signature approval, an insurance policy, and a list of occupational accidents and injuries if they occur.
The American newspaper ‘Boston Globe’ said Kuwait will have to pay or will have paid 677 million dollars to about 45 American hospitals in total bills owed for overseas treatment of Kuwaitis, reports Al-Rai daily. The newspaper stated these are accumulated bills since 2018, resulting from the Kuwaiti government’s policy regarding treatment abroad.
The newspaper pointed out that the hospitals turned to Congress and the US State Department to help them get their dues. It succeeded in its endeavors in late 2020 when Kuwait took the initiative to pay its bills, which was kept secret until last month when Dana Farber Cancer Hospital announced its financial statements and added the Kuwaiti government has put in place guarantees to prevent any future delays in the payment of US hospitals bills. The Boston Globe estimated that Kuwait spends between $200 million and $300 million annually on treating Kuwaitis in American hospitals.
According to a report issued by the Global Financial Integrity Foundation, the volume of illicit financial flows to Kuwait during the nine-year period from 2009 to 2018 was about $46 billion through trade with all global trading partners, and about $20 billion through trade with 36 developed countries. This has led Kuwait to take the seventh place in the Arab world and 36th place globally, reports Al-Rai daily. The report explained that the total illicit financial flows to Kuwait during the years between 2014 and 2018 amounted to about $30 billion.
The top five Arab centers recorded amounts estimated at $261 billion. Although the report of the American non-profit organization Global Financial Integrity Foundation ranks 134 countries including 14 Arab countries, it highlighted that its estimates do not live up to reliability, but it is assumed that the eyes of the local counterparts will be opened to track these funds and reveal the suspicions related to them because of the indicators they carry and the strong data. In this regard, regulatory sources said illegal flows from trade do not necessarily mean the existence of money laundering and terrorist financing operations, as they may be funds obtained, transferred or used illegally, or they indicate the transfer of acquired funds of illegal activities and tax evasion.
The Public Authority for Manpower has linked more professions of residents in the country to academic qualifications to regulate the labor market and prevent marginal workers from obtaining designations that would enable them to benefit from various advantages linked to the titles of work permits, reports Al-Qabas daily. PAM has added 6 new titles to the work permits such as swimming lifeguard, diving instructor, scuba diving instructor, water skiing coach, and water skiing supervisor. In order to grant these titles, the commission stipulated that the person should have a higher education certificate known and a diploma in the respective discipline.
The approved titles related to the scientific level exceeded 1,800 professions that are registered with the authority’s automated system, and more titles are expected to be added during the coming period. In addition, an informed source told Al-Qabas the names that were linked are part of the Gulf Manual for Professional Description and Employment, which contains 4,109 professions. PAM added that work is underway to identify occupational titles in the labor market, link them to automated systems, and assess the need according to the issued licenses, indicating that this procedure is a commitment by the GCC countries to standardize the names and symbols of their professions in the labor market.
Kuwait Telecommunications Company – STC, a world-class digital leader providing innovative services and platforms to clients and driving Kuwait's digital transformation, delighted passengers and airport personnel at Terminal 4 of Kuwait International Airport with freebies. In honor of Kuwait's national day, the project aimed to create a joyful and upbeat atmosphere at Kuwait International Airport.
STC arranged the effort as part of its extended program under the theme "February is very 'wayed' different with STC," which builds on its national holiday celebrations. The action is in accordance with STC's corporate social responsibility policy and the company's desire to join the Kuwaiti people in celebrating this wonderful national festival.
As a welcome gesture, STC provided gifts to both departing and arriving passengers, as well as complimentary drinks and confectioneries, to foster joy and happiness among all travelers. As a mark of appreciation for their hard work and dedication, STC's Corporate Communications team also handed out prizes to airport staff in the departure zones in Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport.
"This event is part of a series of activities launched under the national day's campaign with the tagline "February is extremely 'wayed' different with STC" during the month of February, according to STC, which focused on celebrating Kuwait's national holidays with the Kuwaiti people. "We at STC have always been devoted to proactively giving back to the community, and think that even the smallest action can make a difference," the company added.
Kuwait imported phones worth KD 227 million, including those used on cellular networks (mobile phones) and those used for other wireless networks, in just nine months, reports Al-Anba daily. According to official data, during the period from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021, phones worth KD 90 million were imported. The import of phones decreased during the period from April 2021 to June 2021 to KD 57.6 million, but it rose again during the period from July 2021 to September 2021 to KD 79.2 million.
Meanwhile, according to official figures, the average expenditure of each citizen and resident in Kuwait on imported meat, fish and animal products is about KD 9 per month, reports Al-Anba daily. In detail, the volume of Kuwait’s imports of live animals and animal products in the first nine months of 2021 amounted to about KD 378 million.
During the month of February, when the Liberation Tower reopened to the general public after a long period of closure, approximately 14,000 visitors, including citizens, residents, and members of the diplomatic corps, visited the exhibition organized by the Ministry of Communication on the 150th floor of the Liberation Tower.
The Ministry of Communications held an exhibition of historic devices and modern technologies at the Liberation Tower last month.
According to sources, they intend to hold another two-week show at the Liberation Tower during Ramadan.
A step to recognise, honour, celebrate and cherish the role of women in uniform
Perhaps for the first time in India, all police stations in a police commissionerate will be headed by women for a day. The newly created Avadi Police Commissionerate will observe International Women's Day on Tuesday by a novel, even if symbolic delegation of power, to women officers.
It was Avadi Commissioner of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore who hit upon this idea to recognise, honour, celebrate and cherish the role of women in uniform.
Mr. Rathore said: "Since it is international Women's Day, we are deputing women inspectors to handle 25 police stations as station house officers for a day. It was never done anywhere. They will be holding the post for 24 hours from midnight of Monday. We can say proudly how much we worked for gender parity in Tamil Nadu. We do our part to do a little bit. The idea is basically to commemorate the day and say women are in charge of most things. Maybe it's a thing of gender parity it looks like."
Inspector-General and Additional Commissioner of Police (Headquarters and Traffic) B. Vijayakumari will hold additional charge as Joint Commissioner of Police for a day on March 8. Similarly, G. Umayal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Headquarters and Administration, will function as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Avadi and Red Hills districts. The present Deputy Commissioner J. Mahesh has been assigned other duty.
The Commissioner of Police instructed the officers to ensure that no grievance putforth by women remained unattended.
Senior Advocate Geetha Ramashesan said, “It is an interesting move and should not be restricted to one day. However, ideally there has to be gender parity in police stations and in all wings of the department with equal number of men and women.”
Assistant Undersecretary for the Postal Sector at the Ministry of Communications Khaled Al-Qasba said the State incurs annual losses estimated at millions of Kuwaiti dinars due to the unlicensed operations of 40 companies providing postal services, reports Al- Rai daily. In an interview with the daily, Al-Qasba also unveiled a plan to study the possibility of amending some articles of the Postal Service Law, which was ratified more than 50 years ago.
In a related development, he announced the mid-year plan to award a contract for customs clearance, delivery, transportation and distribution to a private company that made a qualitative leap in postal services. He told the daily that the long-term plan includes conducting a study, in coordination with Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP), on the vision for structuring the sector – privatize the sector, establish a company or the Kuwait Postal Corporation or other suggestions.
He affirmed as well that another project will be implemented soon to regulate services for urgent postal parcels and packages. He said nominal fees will be charged for packages; considering the successful operation of a delivery company in Siddiq Center and Mumtaz Mail in Hittin Center. He added the plan is to open two parcel delivery centers to reduce pressure on Al-Siddiq Center. He said the country has 83 post offices with a total of 1,254 employees; while unveiling the plan to establish Safat Postal Tower next to Liberation Tower. He believes this will be a qualitative leap for post offices and their use of technology, indicating the Postal Administration will be transferred to the tower along with Safat Post Office as the current structure will be demolished. Regarding the discrepancy in the number of employees in the 83 offices, Al-Qasba disclosed the post offices in Hawally and Capital governorates currently need employees. “We are working hard to fill up vacancies in various post offices. Women constitute 60 percent of the total workforce in the sector,” he concluded.
A proposal has been submitted by the Residence Affairs department of the Ministry of Interior to exempt residence violators to leave Kuwait without paying fines due to residence violation, reports Al Anba. This proposal is accepted to be approved due to an increase in residence violators which are currently 150,000 violators in the country who are residing illegally.
The Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Administrative Affairs, Marzouq Al-Rashidi, has issued a circular stipulating the return to the regular official working system in the ministry, starting from Sunday, March 13, reports Al-Qabas daily. The circular indicated that the ministry has already started holding meetings, conferences and internal courses will full participation of the concerned people in person thus doing away with the remote communication.
This circular cancels the earlier circular which was issued by the Civil Service Commission regarding reducing the workforce in government institutions, applying flexible working hours and schedules, and holding meetings, conferences and courses remotely to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The circular pointed to the abolition of all cases of exemption from work, and the employee’s absence from work is only within the limits of the legally authorized leaves, the abolition of the flexible working systems and the rotation system and the return to work with the entire official workforce 100%.
Saudi Arabia said Saturday it was lifting most COVID restrictions including social distancing in public spaces and quarantine for vaccinated arrivals, moves that could facilitate the arrival of Muslim pilgrims. The decision includes suspending “social distancing measures in all open and closed places” including mosques, the official Saudi Press Agency cited an interior ministry source as saying.
Masks will only be required in closed spaces, according to the decision, which came into effect on Saturday. The Saudi kingdom, which is home to Islam’s two holiest places in Makkah and Madinah, will no longer require vaccinated travelers to provide a negative PCR or rapid test before their arrival in the kingdom or to quarantine, SPA said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely disrupted Muslim pilgrimages, which are usually key revenue earners for the kingdom, bringing in some $12 billion annually. Hosting the pilgrimages is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers, for whom the custodianship of Islam’s holiest sites is their most powerful source of political legitimacy.
In 2021, the coronavirus outbreak forced Saudi authorities to dramatically downsize the hajj for a second year, and just 60,000 fully vaccinated citizens and residents of the kingdom took part. Since the start of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia has registered more than 746,000 coronavirus cases, 9,000 of them fatal, in a population of some 34 million.
Students returned to public and Arabic private schools around Kuwait for the start of the second semester of the 2021/2022 academic year. The Ministry of Education has maintained the two-group system for students until further notice. Under the system, each class of over 20 students is split into two groups that alternate in going to school every other day. – Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh
