Mumbai: The government is failing to open new schools, with incidents coming to light where private and trust-run schools that provide education to children in poor and minority areas are facing pressure and FIRs due to hateful propaganda like ‘school jihad’.

In the wake of this serious issue, Mankhurdshivaji Nagar MLA Abu Asim Azmi today met newly appointed Additional Commissioner of Police (Additional CP) Dhananjay Kulkarni along with a delegation of schools facing such action and submitted a memorandum. The memorandum requested that if a police visit to a school is necessary for investigation or investigation, the officers should appear in plain clothes. The delegation urged the authorities to avoid coming out of the school premises with police vans or heavy police force so as not to create an atmosphere of fear and panic among children, parents and teachers. It said that the trustees are ready to personally visit the police station to provide any necessary documents or records required by the police. The attitude of the police towards educational institutions that uphold the right to education for children from poor neighborhoods should be sensitive, cooperative and respectful.

Speaking on the occasion, Abu Asim Azmi stressed that the educational environment should remain safe, impartial and free from fear at all times. He stressed that the future of children from disadvantaged areas should not be sacrificed for any hateful agenda or baseless punitive actions.

New Delhi, Aug 7: The BJP on Friday clarified that the proposed charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions would not be imposed on ordinary users and would apply only to commercial transactions.

The clarification came a day after the Lok Sabha passed a Bill to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, authorising the government to permit banks and other service providers to levy charges on payments made through UPI and other notified electronic payment modes.

Speaking to media, BJP MP Ashok Mittal said, “First of all, I would like to clarify that charges on UPI are not being imposed on the common man. They will only apply to commercial transactions. The charges on UPI will only be applicable to certain business-related transactions and not to ordinary users.”

BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi also sought to allay concerns, saying the move would not place any burden on the general public.

“UPI has brought a digital revolution to India. Whether traders, street vendors or cart vendors, everyone has used UPI and contributed to the country’s growth. The law has only been enacted now. The extent of any charges and the manner in which they will be implemented will be decided later when the rules are framed. The RBI or the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will have to take a decision on the matter,” he said.

Janata Dal (United) MLC Neeraj Kumar Singh defended the proposal, arguing that payment systems require sustainable business models to continue functioning effectively.

“If you want to make a transaction through UPI, what is wrong with paying a charge for it? If you have obtained a GST number for business purposes and want to carry out transactions, then you have to pay for the system. UPI was initially in an experimental stage and there were no charges. If a fee is introduced now, there should not be any issue because every business model has to be sustainable. The government is still providing significant relief to the people,” he told media.

However, the proposal drew criticism from the Opposition. BSP MLA Satish Kumar Singh Yadav said, “It seems that everything is being taxed now. Soon, the government may even impose a tax on speaking and listening. There are taxes on everything — eating, drinking, travelling and sleeping — and now even on UPI. It feels like every aspect of life is being brought under taxation.”

The amendment, passed by the Lok Sabha without discussion amid uproar, seeks to remove the existing legal provision that prevents banks and payment service providers from charging Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on notified electronic payment modes.

The government’s approach aims to levy small charge on digital payment services for consumers and small businesses while ensuring a sustainable revenue model for banks, payment service providers (PSPs), and payment infrastructure firms that drive the digital payments ecosystem.

Mumbai: Police has claimed to have arrested a burglar who has committed four burglaries within the limits of MHB police station, along with burglary and theft cases registered against him in Mumbai and its suburbs. Six theft cases have been solved after the arrest of the accused. Mumbai Police DCP Sandeep Ghoge said that the police traced the burglar within the limits of MHBC. The police came to know that he is residing in Kopar Khernar, Navi Mumbai, after which the police arrested the accused Kamaljeet Kaljit Singh, 26, and seized stolen property worth Rs 45 lakh, including gold ornaments and cash, from his possession. The police have also claimed to have seized stolen property worth Rs 45 lakh from him. The accused is a criminal and is also accused of being involved in theft and burglary cases in Dadar, Mahim, Kala Chowki, RCF, Dharavi. In this case, the police have taken action and arrested the burglar and the burglar and started further investigation.