India launches UPI payment system in Qatari supermarket
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Doha (PTI): India expanded the reach of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on Monday by launching the facility at Lulu Group's stores in Qatar, following its rollout at duty-free outlets in Hamad International Airport here last month.
Launching the facility at a Lulu store, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said it will help facilitate smoother and more cost-effective movement of capital between the two countries.
Last month, NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), in partnership with Qatar National Bank (QNB), introduced UPI at point-of-sale terminals across Qatar for merchants acquired by QNB.
The rollout is part of a collaboration between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Japanese payments gateway NETSTARS.
He also encouraged other banks and institutions in Qatar to adopt UPI.
"The launch of UPI and UPI transactions is not just a digital payment solution, but has the potential to revolutionise trade between Qatar and India. It's an opportunity to expand our trust between the two nations because as we seamlessly integrate the payment systems of Qatar and India, our people will be able to trade more, trade smarter at lower cost," he said here.
He added that the movement of money and capital will be faster, almost on a real-time basis, with a "very-very low" cost.
"Expanded trade will further be strengthened with the adoption of UPI ... I thank QNB for taking up UPI as part of their payment systems," he said, adding the official launch of UPI today will be a milestone in this journey in the years ahead.
He also said that 830,000 Indians who live here will benefit from this launch as their remittances will become faster and at a lower cost.
This makes Qatar the eighth country to accept UPI, facilitating real-time, cashless payments for Indians and reducing dependency on foreign currency or international cards.
By enabling seamless transactions, UPI supports both Indian travellers and local Qatari businesses, promoting digital payment adoption and strengthening India's international financial footprint while enhancing convenience and security for tourists in high-traffic commercial zones.
The UPI, Goyal said, was launched nine years ago, and it is a big success story in India.
"85 per cent of Indian digital payments go through UPI and nearly 50 per cent of global digital payments are now made by UPI," he said, adding that 640 million transactions happen on average every day.
He added that it was wonderful to see the QNB becoming the bridge between NPCI, who has developed the UPI platform, and Lulu Group, who is offering to all its customers the facility of digital payment through UPI.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
