PM chairs 44th PRAGATI Interaction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 44th PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) meeting, the first in his third term, focusing on the review of major development projects across various states in India.

Key Projects Reviewed:

• Seven significant projects were assessed, including:
• Two road connectivity projects.
• Two rail projects.
• One project each in the Coal, Power, and Water Resources sectors.
• These projects span 11 states and union territories including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Goa, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi.
• The combined cost of these projects exceeds Rs. 76,500 crore.

Prime Minister's Directives:

• Emphasized the need to avoid delays in project execution to prevent cost escalation and ensure timely public benefit.
• Promoted the "Ek ped Maa ke Naam" campaign for environmental sustainability during project development.

Urban Water Management Initiatives:

• Reviewed AMRUT 2.0 and addressed public grievances related to the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Highlighted the critical nature of water as a basic need and the importance of quality grievance disposal at district and state levels.
• Suggested the involvement of women self-help groups and youth for Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Jal Jeevan projects.
• Called for comprehensive water resource surveys at the district level and stressed the importance of source sustainability.

Urban Planning and Governance:

• Directed Chief Secretaries to monitor AMRUT 2.0 closely and to consider future growth needs while planning urban projects.
• Emphasized the need for reforms in urban governance, planning, transport, and municipal finance due to rapid urbanization.
• Recommended leveraging initiatives like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to meet urban energy demands.

Mission Amrit Sarovar:

• Encouraged ongoing work on the Mission Amrit Sarovar programme, focusing on maintaining cleanliness and desilting water catchment areas with community involvement.

PRAGATI's Impact to Date:

• Up to this 44th meeting, 355 projects with a total cost of Rs. 18.12 lakh crore have been reviewed under PRAGATI.

Source: https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-chairs-44th-pragati-interaction/

Question:

What is PRAGATI Platform?

Paytm to reapply for payments aggregator licence after nod for infusion by parent

Paytm Payments Services Ltd (PPSL) has received approval from the finance ministry for a downstream investment from its parent company, One 97 Communications Ltd (OCL). This approval enables PPSL to reapply for a payments aggregator licence, a crucial step for the company amid ongoing regulatory challenges.

PPSL’s initial application for a payments aggregator licence was rejected by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) nearly two years ago due to non-compliance with regulations under Press Note 3, which requires prior approval for investments from countries sharing land borders with India, specifically due to investments from China’s Ant Group.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/companies/paytm-to-reapply-for-payments-aggregator-licence-after-nod-for-infusion-by-parent-11724851175025.html

Question:

What is payments aggregator licence ?