Reserve Bank of India has proposed to launch an innovative payment mode viz., “Conversational Payments” on UPI. It will enable users to engage in a conversation with an Artificial Intelligence-powered system to initiate and complete transactions in a safe and secure environment. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, this channel will be made available in both smartphones and feature phones-based UPI channels, thereby helping in the deepening of digital penetration in the country. Initially the facility will be available in Hindi and English and will subsequently be made available in more Indian languages. Central Bank has also proposed to use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in UPI transaction. RBI has also increased offline transaction limit from 200 rupees to 500 rupees but overall limit of small value digital transaction limit is kept unchanged at 2,000 rupees. 

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the merger of Zee Entertainment and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) on August 10, paving way to create a $10-billion media giant in the country.

The tribunal has also dismissed all objections regarding the merger.

NCLT had initially reserved its verdict on the merger between Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Culver Max Entertainment (previously known as SPNI) on July 10.

The Mumbai bench of NCLT, comprising H V Subba Rao and Madhu Sinha, had reserved the judgment after listening to objections from creditors such as Axis Finance, JC Flower Asset Reconstruction Co, IDBI Bank, Imax Corp, and IDBI Trusteeship who raised concerns about the scheme.

Electronic and Print Media Welfare Association is Organising National Media Conclave and Rashtriya Navratna Awards 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi. National President of Electronic and print media Association Sushil Pandit told that prominent political leaders, journalists, media houses, digital news platforms, writers, freelancers, dharmgurus, spiritual leaders, astrologers, doctors, social activists, educationalists, Legal associates, bureaucrats, celebrities, police officials and social media stars are participating in the Conclave.

Nominations of awardees across india have been recieved to committee. Final awardees in different categories shall be Falicitated with Rashtriya Navratna Award 2023.

Ace director Siddique Ismail passed away on Tuesday in Kochi. He was admitted to Amrita Hospital in Kochi last month following a liver ailment. On Monday afternoon, Siddique experienced a heart attack and was subsequently placed on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Despite medical efforts, Siddique passed away on Tuesday night while undergoing treatment.

The mortal remains of Siddique Ismail will be kept at Kadavanthra’s Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium from 9 am to 11:30 am and later at his residence for people to pay their homage. His funeral will be held at 6 pm on Wednesday.

The Rajya Sabha today passed the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill 2023 to set up a national agency to fund research across universities in the country.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday.

It was passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha in just 40 minutes after being taken up for consideration and passage. Only six members participated in the debate as the Opposition had earlier walked out of the House.

Parliament today passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 with Rajya Sabha approving it. The Bill has already been passed in Lok Sabha. The Bill has provisions for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process such personal data for lawful purposes. According to the Bill, a person may process the personal data of an individual for a lawful purpose on the basis of their consent and for certain legitimate uses. The Bill has a provision to set up the Data Protection Board of India. The Board on receipt of an intimation of a personal data breach will inquire into the matter and impose a penalty. While determining the amount of monetary penalty to be imposed, the Board will consider the nature, gravity, and duration of the breach and the type, and nature of the personal data affected by the breach. The Bill states that individuals have the right to correction, completion, update, and erasure their personal data to which they have previously given consent.

Parliament today passed the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order Amendment Bill 2023 with Rajya Sabha approving it today. Lok Sabha has already approved the Bill. The Bill amends the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in Chhattisgarh. The Bill includes Mahara and Mahra communities as synonyms of the Mehra, Mahar, and Mehar communities in Chhattisgarh.
 
Replying to the discussion, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said, the Bill will uplift the life and conditions of these communities in Chhattisgarh. He said, in the last nine years, the Narendra Modi government has taken several decisions for the welfare of downtrodden people of the society. He said the results of these initiatives can be seen in society today and the NDA government has been able to win over the people.

The Parliament has passed the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 with Rajya Sabha giving assent to it today. The Lok Sabha had passed it on Monday.
 
Replying to a debate on the Bill, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala said, the Bill amends the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005. He said, it also decriminalizes certain offences under it to promote the ease of doing business. The Minister said, that the Fisheries department got a total allocation of three thousand 680 crore rupees from 1947 to 2014. He said, a separate Fisheries Ministry was created and over 20 thousand crore rupees have been allocated for Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana only. Mr Rupala said, Fishermen have been provided with Kisan Credit Cards. He said, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India will have a blue revolution which will take the fisherman community ahead. Mr Rupala said, different technologies are being used in the Fisheries sector. He said, the sector is also registering a high growth rate. The Minister said, the Bill was brought in April this year and it was later sent to the Standing Committee. He said consultation was held with coastal states and other stakeholders and several suggestions were received from the Standing Committee. The Minister said, maximum suggestions have been incorporated in the Bill.

World Lion Day is being celebrated today. The day is observed on 10th of August every year across the globe to raise awareness about their conservation and protection.

In Gujarat, World Lion Day will be celebrated through various programmes. The state-level celebration of World Lion Day will be held in the virtual presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel which will be live-streamed in over 8,500 educational institutions spanning ten districts of Saurashtra. During the programme, the Chief Minister will virtually launch Lion Anthem’ and unveil the Sinh Suchna' Web App. 

The Vice-President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar paid homage to our freedom fighters on the 81st Anniversary of the historic 'Quit India Movement' today. In his statement in the Upper House, he called for reaffirming our commitment to uphold the sovereignty, integrity and rededicate ourselves for the service of Bharat.

Calling this an occasion for the Members of Parliament to introspect and reflect on their moral contributions, he asked them to rededicate with greater vigor to be in service of the nation, to realize the aspirations of the people at large and to secure a place of pride for Bharat in comity of nations.

Emphasizing that the call of 'Quit India' is even more relevant today in our Amrit Kaal, as this movement is an epitome of what people are capable of achieving, if they work in togetherness for a cause with determination and dedication.