News Kashmir Magazine

Cashless transactions booming in India

News Kashmir Analysis

India is taking rapid strides towards becoming a cashless economy which is a great development for one and all.

When the transactions in an economy are not heavily based on the money notes, coins or any other physical form of money but are aided by the use of credit cards, debit cards and prepaid payment instruments, such an economy is called cashless economy.

India is taking huge steps to become a major  cashless economy.

As a matter of fact, The Digital India programme is a flagship programme of the Government of India with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. “Faceless, Paperless, Cashless” is one of professed role of Digital India

The country is leading the way towards a cashless economy. India with 89.5 million digital transactions in the year 2022 has topped the list of five countries in digital payments, according to government data.

We need to bear in mind that few time back,  cashless economy refers to a system where digital transactions have taken completely over physical cash. Instead, digital channels such as debit cards, credit cards, internet banking, mobile wallets, electronic fund transfers and digital currencies are used to carry out day-to-day transactions.

In India,  few time back

A tweet by MyGovIndia, a citizen engagement platform of the government of India, read: “India keeps dominating the digital payment landscape! With innovative solutions and widespread adoption, we’re leading the way towards a cashless economy.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the number of cashless transactions the United States does in three years, India does in a month. Jaishankar’s statement came while he was interacting with the people of the Indian community in Nigeria recently.

The country will see lot of benefits by becoming a cashless economy.

Cashless Economy enhances convenience, as digital payments can be made anytime and anywhere, reducing the need for carrying physical cash. It improves transparency and accountability, as digital transactions leave a digital trail that can be tracked and audited.

Greater application of digital payments will save a lot as it will help in bringing down the cost of cash in India. The development of a cashless economy would lead to transparency, curb corruption and lead to convenience for economic growth.

Be it Kashmir or anyother part of the country cashless transactions are taking a major place and having the edge .

Elderly Person Difficulties

Elderly persons are the storehouse of heritage and experience. The older persons are synonyms of intellect and wisdom.

The number of older persons, over subsequent three decades across the world is projected more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050 and 80% of them will be living in low-and-middle-income countries.”

International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 annually and is a United Nation’s designated day to recognise the contribution of older persons and also to examine the issues faced by them or affect their lives.

We in Kashmir have number of old persons facing problems some deserted by there children and some having children outside in search of livelihood.

As a matter of fact, United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October as the International Day of the Older Persons  (resolution 45/106) on 14 December 1990. The initiatives were taken via the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing that was adopted by the World Assembly on Ageing in 1982 and endorsed later that year by the UN General Assembly.

The General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons in 1991. The Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. It was done to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and also to promote the development of a society for all ages.

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Some facts

In recent decades, the composition of the world population has changed dramatically. Between 1950 to 2010, life expectancy across the world rose from 46 to 68 years. There were around 703 million persons aged 65 or over in 2019 across the world. The region of Eastern and South-Eastern Asia was home to the largest number of older persons (261 million), followed by Europe and Northern America (over 200 million).

The number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double over the next three decades. It will reach more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050. Between 2019 and 2050, all regions will see an increase in the size of the older population.

In Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, the largest increase of around 312 million is projected to occur, growing from 261 million in 2019 to 573 million in 2050.

In Northern Africa and Western Asia, the fastest increase in the number of older persons is expected to rise from 29 million in 2019 to 96 million in 2050 that is an increase of 226 percent.

The second-fastest increase is projected for sub-Saharan Africa. Here, the population aged 65 or over could grow from 32 million in 2019 to 101 million in 2050 that is 218 percent.

In 2050, the development groups that are less developed countries excluding the least developed countries will be home to more than two-thirds of the world’s older population around 1.1 billion as per the UN.

In the least developed countries, the fastest increase is projected to take place where the number of persons aged 65 or over could rise from 37 million in 2019 to 120 million in 2050 that is 225 percent.

We too in Kashmir have lot of old people and many of them face difficulty.

Srinagar in limelight- Phase 2 Assembly 2024

News Kashmir Analysis

Srinagar is the soul of Jammu and Kashmir.  It is an historic city.

This year the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar has been officially recognised as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Crafts Council last week as its recognition will boost the handloom and handicraft sectors of the valley as this prestigious honour underscores the city’s rich heritage and the exceptional skills of its artisans whose dedication and artistry.

The assembly elections happening after a gap of 10 years and first after the historic abrogation of article 370 have brought much focus on Srinagar,  which has history of very low voting.

The Election campaign in Srinagar has been electrifying with after gap of nearly 40 years such festive atmosphere being witnessed as candidates try to woo voters.

During the last elections,  Hazratbal Assembly Constituency had the highest voting percentage of 29 percent among the Constituencies with Habbakadal lowest of 21 percent.  Zadibal Assembly Constituency had voting percentage of mere 23.64 and Khanyar 26 percent.

As a matter of fact , Srinagar after delimitation has 8 Assembly constituencies.  The Chanapora Assembly Constituency is the latest addition. Srinagar has been historically a NC bastion with often NC winning most of the seats. This time around a nail bitting fight is witnessed between PDP and NC on 7 seats ,with Apni Party also putting a strong fight in Chanapora.

The women underrepresented in these elections is a matter of serious concern.

of 93 candidates vying for eight assembly seats in Srinagar, only three are women. This minuscule representation becomes even more pronounced when these three candidates contest in only two of the eight constituencies.

PM Modi too during recent Srinagar rally struck historic pulse.

We have said in the parliament that we will restore (the region’s) statehood. Only the BJP will fulfill this commitment,” PM Modi said to a cheering crowd at the rally while referring to Bharatiya Janata Party, without specifying any timeline for the return of statehood.

He called the ongoing election the festival of democracy in the region. “Jammu and Kashmir is strengthening the democracy of India, and I congratulate the people for this,” he said.

The political pulse is excited whether the current elections would witness increase in voting percentage in Srinagar or not .

The eyes would be all set on the 24th September to watch the key elections and analyze them.

Historic J&K First Phase Polls

News Kashmir Analysis

The historic Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are around the corner.  These are first major elections after abrogation of article 370 on August 5, 2019. These elections are going to be quite unique ,interesting and historic.

All major political parties are fighting with full might. Iltija Mufti, Daughter of PDP head and former CM Mehbooba Mufti , Former NC MP Hasnain Masoodi and Dr Harbaksh Singh of AIP are prominent candidates in Kashmir in fray for the first phase.

political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has undergone significant changes since the BJP withdrew its support from the PDP-led government in 2018. The removal of Article 370 in 2019, followed by the delimitation, has not only redrawn boundaries and added seats but also set the stage for the upcoming 2024 election, where every party is recalibrating its strategy.

Of the total 219 candidates contesting the first phase of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, scheduled for September 18, a striking 50 per cent have declared assets exceeding Rs 1 crore, a report compiled by the Association of Democratic Reform (ADR) said on Friday.

The average assets of the phase one candidates stood at Rs 3 crore. There are a total 13 candidates with at least Rs 10 crore worth of assets.

Out of 219 candidates, only nine are women, which makes up just 4 percent of the total.

Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the highest crorepatis: 18 out of 21. The richest candidate in the first phase also belongs to PDP: Abdul Gaffar Sofi, contesting from Anantnag West. In his election affidavit, Sofi declared assets worth over Rs 66 crore. He is followed by PDP’s Imtiaz Ahmed Shan with more than Rs 34 crore in assets.

2014, the election ended with a hung assembly. The PDP won 28 seats, the BJP grabbed 25, the JKNC took 15, and the Congress managed 12. Independents and smaller parties shared seven seats. The BJP and the PDP claimed nearly half the votes, but the close result reflected deep political divisions. The vote share of 2014 told a similar story of division. The BJP garnered 23 per cent of the votes, while the PDP secured 22.7 per cent. The JKNC came in with 20.8 per cent, and the Congress followed with 18 per cent.

Undoubtedly , the Assembly elections in 2024 September are going to go one of the historic epochs.

Tobacco Monster in J&K

News Kashmir Analysis

Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the genus Nicotiana of the family Solanaceae, and the general term for any product prepared from the cured leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of tobacco are known, but the chief commercial crop is N. tabacum. The more potent variant N. rustica is also used in some countries.

The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing over 8 million people a year around the world. More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.3 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke (4).

All forms of tobacco use are harmful, and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. Cigarette smoking is the most common form of tobacco use worldwide.

As a matter of fact,

Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has been identified as having the 6th highest prevalence of tobacco use in the country, with over 20 percent of the population engaging in tobacco consumption, according to officials.

Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke (4).

Around 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.

In 2020, 22.3% of the world’s population used tobacco: 36.7% of men and 7.8% of women.

To address the tobacco epidemic, WHO Member States adopted the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003. Currently 182 countries are Parties to this treaty.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2 data, 35.2% of men, 5.1% of women, and 20.8% of all adults in J&K smoke tobacco. It adds that 6.8% of men, 1.5% of women, and 4.3% of all adults currently use smokeless tobacco. Overall, 39.7% of men, 6.2% of women, and 23.7% of all adults either smoke tobacco or use smokeless tobacco.

Tobacco is definitely a monster which we need to do away with .

The expert pulse is that we need to aware the youth about perils of Tobacco menace and make them shun it. One hopes in the great country like India we need to reach a stage where we ban all products of Tobacco . Tobacco is a hydra headed monster and there is no doubt about same .

Election Suspense

News Kashmir Analysis

Elections are soul of Democracy. After a long wait of ten year and nearly after 5 year of the historic abrogation of article 370 Jammu and Kashmir looks all set to conduct Assembly polls very soon. People too have been urging elections since long . But the suspense still remains .

The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are long overdue and the Supreme Court has set a deadline of September 30 to conduct polls in the Union Territory.

The team, headed by Chief Election Commission Rajiv Kumar, was recently  on a two-day visit and has started meeting with the representatives of political parties to get their feedback before meeting senior police officials of all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

On his part, Union Minister G. Krishna Reddy, the Election Incharge for J&K Assembly elections, announced on Monday that elections in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir are set to take place next month, in September.

Speaking at the ‘Ekatma Mahotsav’ rally organized by the BJP at Bana Singh Stadium in RS Pura, Reddy expressed confidence that the BJP will secure a majority in the upcoming elections.

Also, The Forum for Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir led by a group of concerned citizens has called for an immediate announcement of dates of Legislative Assembly elections in J&K much before the Supreme Court’s deadline of September 30, arguing that “that security should not be a consideration given that elections have been held in far worse security situations”.

Addressing a news conference in Jammu, the CEC said that the dates for the elections would be announced after holding a comprehensive security review in Delhi.

He said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was committed to holding Assembly elections as soon as possible.

” This is the appropriate time for holding Assembly elections in J&K and no force can prevent us from holding elections here. We are committed to this process,” he said.

The hope on ground zero among the common masses is that exact dates for the historic Assembly elections are declared soon as they eagerly want to take part in this great democratic exercise, and elect their representatives to the Assembly so that their issues are resolved at a faster pace .

News Kashmir Analysis

Curbing Power Theft

News Kashmir Analysis

Power theft had been a major cause of concern in Jammu and Kashmir.  It has been robbing much of the revenue of the region and keeping the power department in huge losses.

The non payment of electricity bills was another major concern which is being solved.

But , since few years concrete steps are being taken to curb power theft which is bearing the fruits.

The figures and statistics are now atleast promising.

KPDCL has added  13,179 connections in 3 months, carries out 55K inspections to curb losses

11,450 consumers also disconnected for non-payment of dues

No tariff hike, only calibrated rationalisation of load as per consumption as per the department.

In this regard, recently it was stated that the  Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has added 13,719 fresh connections to its domestic consumer base of 9.81 lakh, adding load of 7.5 MW in the system.

To curb power theft and bring down losses, as many as 55,321 inspection drives were carried out by Kashmir DISCOM from April to June this year.

In a statement issued here t a KPDCL spokesperson stated that vigorous enforcement drives are being undertaken on a daily basis at Subdivisional level to crackdown on incidents of power pilferage, primarily by hooking and bypassing of meters in urban areas and exceeding of sanctioned load in rural areas. “Strict directions have been given to SDOs to recover dues for energy unauthorizedly consumed, raise Writ of Demand and present their cases for imposition of penalty before the Designated Courts,” he explained, adding those found using electricity unauthorizedly shall be dealt with an iron hand.

Giving details, the spokesman said 1949 new connections were added in Kulgam, 1630 in Budgam, 1269 in Sopore, 982 in Anantnag, 935 in Tangmarg, 843 in Ganderbal, 812 in Shopian, 747 in Awantipora and 611 in Bijbehara Electric Division.

Apart from above, KDPCL has also intensified action against tampering of smart meters with several FIRs registered in concerned Police Stations. “Nearly 600 applications have been filed for registration of FIRs for smart meter tampering and other thefts like hooking,” he added.

Expressing concern over unauthorised use of electricity by consumers, the KPDCL spokesman said that even in peak summer months, reports of damage to distribution transformers are being received from some parts of Kashmir Valley. “KPDCL advises its consumers to avoid using crude heating gadgets like heaters and boilers, which have been banned by the Government,” he added.

The spokesman further stated that KPDCL has disconnected 11,450 consumers for non-payment of pending dues during the first quarter of the current financial year. This includes 8,655 domestic, 2,697 commercial, 94 hoteliers and 34 industrial units. “Outstanding arrears amounting to Rs.43.26 crore have also been recovered from the consumers,” he added.

Urging the consumers to ignore rumours on tariff hike, the spokesperson once again reiterated that KPDCL has not hiked electricity tariff in both metered and non-metered areas. He, however, stated that calibrated rationalization of load as per actual consumption in unmetered areas is being carried out by all Electric Subdivisions, following Supply Code regulations. “Consumers can opt for metered billing, if they find flat-rated charges disproportionate to their consumption,” the spokesman advised.

The people on ground also hope that burning issue of often curtailment in power would be resolved as it is hitting hard people of Jammu and Kashmir.