Private Hospital Markups Surge Up To 2800%, High Healthcare Costs & Device Price Regulation

Starting October 15, mid and large-sized merchants will be subject to a 0.4 percent Merchant Discount Rate on UPI transactions above 2,000 rupees, capped at 300 rupees for payments exceeding 75,000 rupees. The fee is strictly payable by merchants, with banks and the NPCI advising that costs must not be passed onto consumers. Person-to-person transfers and merchant transactions up to 2,000 rupees remain entirely free, alongside exemptions for small vendors receiving up to 1 lakh rupees monthly. Flat charges apply to essential services, while capital market payments attract a 0.02 percent fee. The collected revenue will be distributed across payer banks, merchant banks, UPI apps, and payment service providers.

A Bengaluru resident took matters into his own hands by funding and building a cement ramp on a badly damaged footpath after civic authorities failed to act on repeated complaints. The citizen highlighted that despite raising tickets on the BBMP portal, sending emails, and reaching out via helplines, no action was taken to fix the junction, making it inaccessible for strollers and wheelchairs. In response, a civic official acknowledged the department's responsibility while welcoming constructive citizen participation. The official explained that managing over 15,000 kilometres of roads requires prioritising arterial and sub-arterial stretches, while assuring that the administration will strive to be more responsive to public grievances.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay concludes his week-long official tour of the United Kingdom, where the state government signed memoranda of understanding worth twelve thousand three hundred crore rupees, projected to generate over nine thousand four hundred jobs.

India Today is set to host the Keralam Roundtable from Thiruvananthapuram, continuing its focus on bringing South India's political leadership to national prominence. The conclave follows previous interactions with key southern leaders, including discussions covering governance, regional developments, and national perspectives. The upcoming event features comprehensive conversations on state administration and political affairs starting from 10:00 AM.