Digital Push Deepens in Rural India: eGramSwaraj Records Over Rs.3 Lakh Crores in Online Payments; SabhaSaar Expands to 23 Languages

India, March 31 -- The Government of India has issued a release: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has achieved two significant milestones in advancing digital and inclusive rural governance across the country. India's Gram Panchayats are witnessing a major leap in digital governance, with over Rs.3 lakh crores (cumulative) in payments routed through the eGramSwaraj platform, while the AI-powered SabhaSaar tool is now available in 23 Indian languages, strengthening both financial transparency and ...


INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TRIKAND CONCLUDES PORT CALL AT MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

India, March 31 -- The Government of India has issued a release: INS Trikand, a frontline guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, concluded her port call at Maputo, Mozambique on 29 Mar 2026. During the port call, joint training and professional engagements were conducted, enhancing strengthening interoperability and maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Mozambique Navy. HADR relief material from India was handed over in presence of His Excellency Dr. Ussene Hilario Isse, He...


Decarbonizing India's Fertilizer Sector and Strengthening The Nation's Energy Security

India, March 31 -- The Government of India has issued a release: S. Name of Fertilizer Company Manufacturing Unit Quantity of Green Ammonia  (MT per year) Developer / Winner Discovered Price  (Rs/kg) 1. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) Kandla (Gujarat) 1,00,000 ACME Cleantech 54.73 Paradeep (Odisha) 1,00,000 ACME Cleantech 49.75 2. Coromandel International Limited (CIL) Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) 85,000 Jakson Green & OCIOR 50.75 Vishakhapatna...


SIKKIM HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER ON NIKHIL SUBBA AND OTHERS V/S THE BRANCH MANAGER, ICICI LOMBARD GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY AND OTHERS

GANGTOK, India, April 1 -- Sikkim High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 2: 1. The challenge in the instant Appeal is to the computation of compensation, arrived at by the Learned Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Gangtok, Sikkim (hereinafter, the "MACT"), in MACT Case No.11 of 2024 (Nikhil Subba and Others vs. The Branch Manager, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company and Others), vide Judgment dated 26-12-2024. 2. Learned Counsel for the Appellants put forth the contention ...


SIKKIM HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER ON THE BRANCH MANAGER, NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY V/S HASMUKH PANNALAL PUNAMIYA AND OTHERS

GANGTOK, India, April 1 -- Sikkim High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 2: 1. On a Petition filed by the Respondents No.1, 2 and 3 herein, under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, before the Learned Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Gangtok, Sikkim (hereinafter, the "MACT"), as Claimants, seeking compensation of Rs. 4,41,47,970/- (Rupees four crores, forty one lakhs, forty seven thousand, nine hundred and seventy) only, on account of the death of their brother, in a m...


SIKKIM HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER FOR ELEVAR DIGITEL INFRASTRUCTURE V/S STATE OF SIKKIM AND OTHERS

GANGTOK, India, April 1 -- Sikkim High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 2: 1. The prayers in the instant Writ Petition are as follows; ".......................... Rule calling upon the Respondents to show cause as to why; (a) A writ in the nature of Mandamus shall not be issued directing the respondent authorities to allow the petitioner's employee/workers to enter the leasehold premises and operate the telecommunication tower. (b) In the alternative a writ in the nature ...


SIKKIM HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER FOR ANAND KISHORE MISHRA V/S UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

GANGTOK, India, April 1 -- Sikkim High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 2: [1] The Petitioner, Vikash hails from a village in Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), and he is a matriculant. His family appears to be engaged in a small farm in his native village. Like any village youth, he was quite ambitious to enter public service. He applied for the post of Constable (Washerman) in the service of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), an armed force of the Union Government. This application was in t...


SIKKIM HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER FOR BIJAY CHAMLING V/S STATE OF SIKKIM

GANGTOK, India, April 1 -- Sikkim High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 2: 1. Heard Learned Counsel for the parties. 2. The allegation in the FIR bearing No.03/2020, dated 03- 01-2020, against the Petitioner is that an advance of Rs. 1,77,00,000/- (Rupees one crore and seventy seven lakhs) only, was made to the Petitioner's firm by the Sikkim State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (hereinafter, the "SIMFED"), for supply of computer sets to various school ...


SIKKIM HIGH COURT ISSUES ORDER FOR STATE BANK OF INDIA AND ANR. V/S DISTRICT MAGISTRATE SORENG DISTRICT AND ORS.

GANGTOK, India, April 1 -- Sikkim High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 2: 1. The present writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the District Magistrate, Soreng District to dispose of the petitioner's application dated 29.08.2023 filed under Section 14 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act). 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner draws the attention of this Court to the said a...


MASTER DIRECTION ON INCENTIVES FOR CURRENCY DISTRIBUTION AND EXCHANGE AND PENALTIES / PENAL PROVISIONS FOR BANK BRANCHES AND CURRENCY CHESTS FOR DEFICIENCY IN RENDERING CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REPORTING OF TRANSACTIONS / BALANCESTABLE OF CONTENTSSR. NO.NATURE OF SERVICEPARTICULARS OF INCENTIVES/ SERVICE CHARGES1.11.21.31.41. PENALTIES FOR BANK BRANCHES FOR DEFICIENCY IN RENDERING CUSTOMER SERVICESR. NO.NATURE OF IRREGULARITYPENALTY1.11.22. PENALTIES FOR ATM CASH-OUTSR. NO.NATURE OF IRREGULARITYPENALTY2.13. PENALTIES FOR DEFICIENCY IN OPERATIONS OF CCSSR. NO.NATURE OF IRREGULARITYPENALTY3.13.2CPMPENALTYCPM < 5100% OF NOTIONAL VALUE OF COUNTERFEIT NOTES5 ≤ CPM < 20150% OF NOTIONAL VALUE OF COUNTERFEIT NOTESCPM ≥ 20200% OF NOTIONAL VALUE OF COUNTERFEIT NOTES3.33.43.53.6SR. NO.NATURE OF IRREGULARITYPENAL PROVISIONS1.SR. NO.NATURE OF IRREGULARITYPENAL PROVISIONS1.TYPE OF EXPENDITURE CLAIMEDPERIODAMOUNT CLAIMED (INCLUSIVE OF TAXES) (A)AMOUNT REIMBURSED (INCLUSIVE OF TAXES) 50% OF (A)REVENUE COST1ST YEAR₹15 LAKH₹7.5 LAKH2ND YEAR₹16 LAKH₹08 LAKH3RD YEAR₹16 LAKH₹08 LAKH4TH YEAR₹17 LAKH₹8.5 LAKH5TH YEAR₹18 LAKH₹09 LAKHDETAILS OF SOILED NOTES REMITTANCE RECEIVEDDENOMINATION₹10 / ₹20 / ₹50₹100 SCENARIO 1SCENARIO 2 5500750050005575501107524553907425NA5374NA106148NA40005395790TOTAL PIECES (DEPOSITED)TOTAL PIECES (WITHDRAWN)TOTAL BAGS (DEPOSITED)TOTAL BAGS (WITHDRAWN)NET STANDARD BAGS (WITHDRAWN)400025001.61-0.607500033200040001213.43SCENARIORECOVERY/CREDIT*PENALTY AMOUNT*SCENARIOLOSS RECOVEREDPENALTY AMOUNTDENOMINATION₹5₹10₹20₹50₹100₹200₹500₹20001,30,00021,50,00013,40,00011,00,00011,92,00090,0001,70,00020,000004940221DENOMINATION₹5₹10₹20₹50₹100₹200₹500₹2000042816201510SCENARIOPENALTY

MUMBAI, India, April 1 -- Reserve Bank of India issued the following notification: RBI/DCM/2026-27/393 DCM (CC) No. G-3/03.06.001/2026-27 April 01, 2026 The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer All banks Madam / Dear Sir, Master Direction on Incentives for Currency Distribution and Exchange and Penalties / Penal Provisions for Bank Branches and Currency Chests for Deficiency in Rendering Customer Service and Reporting of Transactions / Balances In terms of the Preamble...