Latest news with #Rs3.57
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
75-year-old retired professor duped of Rs 3.57 crore in Kolhapur
Representative Image KOLHAPUR: A 75-year-old retired professor from Shivaji University Kolhapur was forced by cybercrooks to make money transfers totaling Rs3.57 crore in 14 transactions between April 21 and May 16 in the biggest cyber fraud so far to hit Kolhapur city. The victim retired from service in 2013 while her husband retired in 2005. Their daughter, a physiotherapist, stays in her marital home at Tarabai Park. The crooks posed a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Mumbai police officials while calling and informing her that the Colaba police have registered a case in which Rs 6 crore of proceeds from a money laundering and investment fraud by a prominent aviation firm owner, have been deposited to an account in her name and using her Aadhaar card at a nationalized bank in Mahim. The callers threatened that she will face action and arrest if she did not cooperate with their verification process and sought all her bank details. Through video calls made from various WhatsApp numbers, the crooks pressurized her into making the money transfers to various accounts _ mostly private banks. The elderly woman used up all the money in three bank accounts held by her, another three accounts held jointly with her husband and four accounts held by her husband, to make the 14 transfers of amounts varying from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, police said.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
WASA settles debts after historic bailout
The Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) has started clearing its long-standing dues to the government agencies after approval of Rs3.57 billion worth bailout package by the Punjab government. For the first time in its 28-year history, WASA Rawalpindi has received a bailout package to rescue it from a severe financial crisis and make it financially stable. This financial support will enable WASA to pay off long-standing dues owed to IESCO and CDA for the past 16 years. WASA, now upgraded to the WASA Authority, had repeatedly requested one-time bailout package from previous Punjab governments to address its financial difficulties. However, none of the past administrations approved such assistance. This time, WASA Rawalpindi, through the support of Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, requested the bailout package, which was approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. As a result, Rs3.57b in funds were released to WASA. With this funding, WASA has cleared Rs1.98b in outstanding dues to IESCO, completely settling its liabilities. Additionally, the process has begun to clear Rs1.59b in pending payments to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) related to maintenance charges and cost-sharing for the Khanpur Dam Water Supply Project. These payments are expected to be completed within this week. Managing Director of WASA Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, says by June 2025, WASA will be free from all legacy liabilities for the first time since its inception. This milestone will position WASA to achieve a significantly improved financial standing in the upcoming fiscal year 202526 through increased collection of water supply and sewerage charges, the issuance of new water connections, and recovery of outstanding dues from consumers amounting to millions of rupees, he adds. The MD further notes that WASA is currently providing water supply and sewerage services to citizens at subsidised rates. In addition, it is working on projects to secure additional water from Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam, along with ongoing projects at Chahan Dam and Daducha Dam. The completion of these new water supply projects and the upgrading of existing infrastructure will enable WASA to meet the water needs of Rawalpindi's residents more effectively, the MD says.
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Prime Minister set to announce more major relief soon: Azma Bokhari
Listen to article Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon reveal another major relief for the people. In a press conference in the provincial capital Lahore, Azma Bokhari elaborated on the public relief provided by the government, economic stability, and the steps taken by the administration. She said that after Eidul Fitr, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a reduction in electricity prices, which will be extremely beneficial for the public during the hot summer months. She mentioned that this relief was given at the right time, and the government achieved a great feat by convincing the IMF. She also shared that soon, the Prime Minister will announce another big good news. The provincial minister criticised the opposition, stating that those who had vested interests in IPPs and power companies cannot tolerate the public relief. Discussing the performance of the Punjab government, she mentioned that Ramadan utility markets saved the public Rs1.11 billion, where purchases worth Rs3.57 billion were made. Around 28,000 citizens received goods worth Rs 30 million through free home delivery from these markets. By August, 13 new utility markets will be established, and the existing markets will be converted to solar energy at a cost of 690 million rupees. She said that wherever Maryam Nawaz sees public interest, projects will be launched. Under the "Sahulat On The Go" pilot programme, mobile utility centres will be set up at 14 locations. The government is also focused on cleanliness, availability of medicines, and job provision. Azma Bokhari further stated that Rsone billion were spent to provide jobs to 100,000 people, and a structured cleanliness system was implemented during Eid. Criticising the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, she said corruption stories are widely known in the province. She also expressed concern over Ghandapur's statement about spending Rs75 crore on the party. Continuing her statement, she pointed out the deteriorating situation in health, education, and infrastructure in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and mentioned evidence of corruption in the purchase of basic equipment such as hand gloves. She raised questions about the misallocation of funds in wheat procurement, the misuse of funds in the name of mosques, and the alleged misuse of pension funds. The provincial minister termed the politics over water distribution as unfortunate and stated that instead of addressing the issue at rallies, Bilawal Bhutto should take on a responsible role. At the end of the press conference, she expressed concerns over the environment in theatres and said that discussions had taken place with the Chief Minister regarding this issue. She further accused the theatres of attempting to blackmail her and threatening legal action. Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced a reduction in electricity prices for domestic consumers by Rs7.41 per unit. The price cut is part of the government's efforts to provide relief to Pakistanis while working to strengthen the economy. The announcement, made during a special event attended by cabinet members and business leaders, follows a request made by the government to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for a price reduction.
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Shop workers to be registered
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the registration of workers serving in shops, workshops and small enterprises in the province. During a meeting with Punjab Labour Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, the CM asked him to begin the registration. The chief minister said, "Workers working in small enterprises will get grants and other financial benefits after registering themselves with the labour department." She directed the authorities concerned to ensure payment of the minimum wage in shops, petrol pumps and factories across Punjab. She called for a crackdown on enterprises not implementing the minimum wage. She also directed the authorities to increase labour registration across the province, and said, "For the first time in Punjab, workers working in shops, workshops and small industrial units will be registered." Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to improve the working conditions for the labourers in industrial units. She also sought a comprehensive plan for launching aration card programme for the labourers. Meanwhile, the chief minister was informed during a briefing by Punjab Model Bazaar Management Company CEO Naveed Rafaqat that an estimated Rs1.1 billion had been saved by the citizens by shopping from Ramazan Sahulat Bazaars The CM said the inflation rate during the month had remained quite low as compared to previous years. The relief was provided in the purchase of food items from the bazaars set up by the government. According to an official statement, the citizens were given 31 per cent relief at the stalls in the special Sahulat Bazaars in proportion to the open market. A relief amounting to Rs117 million was given to the public in proportion to the officially set 'DC rates' in the Sahulat Bazaars. Purchases worth Rs2.46 billion were made in the bazaars. The customers would have had to pay Rs3.57 billion for as much purchases at market rates and Rs2.58 billion according to the DC rates during Ramadan. Record purchases worth Rs28 million were made through the Sahulat Free Home Delivery App in Ramazan. Approximately 28,000 orders were placed through the app from 36 model markets established in 25 districts. In the Sahulat Bazars, a 10kg flour bag was sold at Rs795, while the DC rate was Rs832 and market price Rs897. Chicken was sold at Rs940 per kg in the market, Rs585 as per DC rate and Rs571 in Sahulat Baazars. Apples were sold at Rs305 per kg in Sahulat Bazaars, Rs316 according to the DC rate in the markets. Bananas were sold at Rs389 per dozen in the markets, Rs 227 as per DC rate and Rs216 in the Sahulat Bazaars. Eggs were sold at Rs269 per dozen in Sahulat Bazaars, Rs276 at the DC rate and Rs350 in the markets. Dates were available at Rs446 per kg in the open market, Rs460 at DC rate and Rs734 in the open market. In another develoent, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sought an immediate report from the provincial health secretary over the death of a child in the Shahdara Teaching Hospital due to electrocution. She directed the authorities concerned to take strict legal action against those found negligent after determining the responsibility.
