Wake Up , BHIM , Wake Up !

LiveMint ( 16 March 2017 ) carries following news report :

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 said to adopt facial recognition for payments

“ Samsung Electronics Co.’s new Galaxy S8 will employ facial-recognition technology for mobile payments within months of release, adding cutting-edge security to help the marquee device stand out from rivals such as Apple Inc.’s iPhone, people familiar with the matter said.

The Galaxy S8 to be unveiled later this month will blend fingerprint, iris and facial detection to verify users accessing mobile services including Samsung Pay, the people said. It’s already working with banks to help them embrace facial recognition systems in coming months, they said, asking not to be identified talking about a private matter. Samsung declined to comment.

While previous Galaxy phones have allowed users to unlock their phones with facial recognition, the Galaxy S8 would be the first to use the technology to verify financial payment applications.

The Galaxy S8 phone will also come with Samsung’s own voice-based Siri-like digital assistant “

This is great news !

Just one more step left to enable 1000 million poor / rural / illiterate , Indians to switch over to mobile wallet based purchase transactions , viz :

GIVING PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS THROUGH  SPEAKING TO SMART PHONE

{  Read my blog below  }

All that is required to implement my following suggestion is for Shri Ravi Shankar Prasadji , to call up Mr. HC Hong { President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Southwest Asia }, to incorporate “ Google Action “ into Galaxy S8

Friday, 30 December 2016

When BHIM is here, can ARJUN be far away ?

Yesterday , PM Shri Modiji launched a Mobile Wallet App , called BHIM

He went on to say :

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The country already had more than 100 crore Aadhaar holders with most of the adult population covered.

There was a time, he said, when illiterate people were called "angootha chap". But now, the thump impression would make way for a person's bank, identity and even business, he said.

 "After two weeks, when the new (Aadhaar-based) system will be launched, BHIM will be the BIGGEST WONDER OF THE WORLD," Modi said. 

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BUT HERE IS WHAT  NEWS18  REPORTED :

However, in our tests we found that while money sent to UPI addresses with a mobile number worked seamlessly, all attempts to transact with a custom UPI address couldn't get through. Also the transactions don't happen as fast as they claim.

There have been reports of app freezes and "device binding failed" errors. Some users say their back button don't work.

Even though for an app that has just been launched, some of the processes - such as verifying an user or making a payment - took us much longer than expected. Also the lack of on-screen confirmations confuses. All messaging happens as notifications, which adds additional steps and also increases the chances of a users failing to notice them.

This are early days for the app and MORE FEATURES AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE EXPECTED SOON.

The USP of the app is its simplicity and it might make cashless payments more appealing for more people if the little creases are ironed out soon.

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Dear Shri Narendrabhai :

No doubt , this is a great initiative which will help citizens to migrate to DIGITAL PAYMENTS

But , if BHIM has to obsolete Credit- Debit cards / Card Swiping Machines / Point

 of Sales ( PoS ) machines / ATMs etc , and truly become THE BIGGEST

 WONDER OF THE WORLD, then it would have to be SPEECH ENABLED , as

 suggested in my following email :

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Friday, 9 December 2016

Google Can Read Your Mind ?

May be not yet , but it can most certainly read every blog and every email !

And even take " ACTIONS " , if it contains any useful suggestion

In my blog ( sent as email to NDA Ministers / Secretaries etc,  on 02 Dec 2016  ) , I wrote :

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Dear Shri Amitabh Kant :

There is no doubt , you will encourage PRIVATE SECTOR players to launch Mobile Wallet apps

But you have this opportunity to SIMPLIFY the use of Mobile Wallet Apps - the use , which appears " daunting " to rural folks

Here is how :

*  Based on UPI / Indiastack , come out ( in next 6 days ? ) , with M-Rup ( RuPay based 

   mobile app , linked to Jan Dhan A/c and to Aadhar Biometric verification of the user )

*  Citizen can download M-Rup ( whether on Smart phone or on feature phone ) ,from

   Google App store 

*  M-Rup can be activated only after user enters his Jan Dhan A/c number / his Aadhar

   Card number and his Mobile number , in the App

   

*  At the time of " Activation ", let the M-Rup wallet get filled up with Rs 100 ( as a freebie )

*  This initial loading of M-Rup with Rs 100, to happen, even if the user has no Jan Dhan a/c

*  This initial loading will enable the users to " experiment " transferring or receiving digital

   money ( even between friends , none of whom have Jan Dhan accounts !). Make it FUN !

I am sure , you will say :

" How does this make M-Rup any DIFFERENT from any other Mobile Wallet app ? 

  Where is that SIMLIFICATION of use ? "

  

Dear Shri Amitabh :

Like you ( and of course , Shri Modiji ) , I have a great faith in the ability of Indian software engineers ( local or NRI ) to come up with revolutionary solutions / innovations !

Just ask Sundar Pichai , Sam Pitroda , Satya Nadela , Sachin Katti , Pranav Mistry , Sanjay Sarma , Nandan Nilekani etc , if they will help implement the following :

*  Buyer  buys something worth Rs 100 from a shopkeeper

*  Buyer and the Seller , look into their own mobile-cameras ( of  smart phones

   loaded with M-Rup ) for biometric Aadhar identification / linked to Jan Dhan a/c 

*  Seller speaks in his mobile : " Muze Sau Rupiah dedo "

*  Buyer speaks in his mobile : " Inko Sau Rupiah dedo "

*  Message flashes in the mobile screen of Seller : " Tumhare account-me Sau Rupiah

   Jamah ho gaya / GST bhi kaat ke Sarkar-ko bhej diya "

*  Message flashes in the mobile screen of Buyer : " Tumhare account-se , Sau Rupiah inko

   Bhej Diya . Abhi balance me teen sau sath rupiah bacha hai "

I request all concerned , not to insult our engineers / scientists / geeks , by doubting if such SIMPLIFICATION ( based on day to day spoken language ) is possible

Doubting Thomas may want to look up ... PILOT   

{  http://www.waverlylabs.com/  }

This is the only way rural India can bypass the Jurassic Age of Plastic Cards to usher into a CASH-LESS society !

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Dear  Shri  Amitabh  Kant  :

While congratulating you - and your entire team of dedicated professionals - I request you , not to stop with launch of AEPS mobile app

Please, do come up with a version which enables millions of not-so-savvy Indians to just give a " Voice based Instructions " to AEPS app , for all of their Digital Payment transactions, in language of their choice

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Question :  Did Sundar Pichai ( Google )  read this email ?

Answer   :

Absolutely ! In case of doubt , read following news appearing in today's ( 09 Dec 2016 ) , Hindustan Times :

GOOGLE TAKES ' ACTIONS ' TO ITS AI ; TO PARTNER INDIA's GUPSHUP

Internet giant Google on Thursday said it was bringing Google Actions to its powerful artificial intelligence platform,Google Assistant

Called Actions on Google, the development interface will allow companies to integrate direct actions or directly embed the Google Assistant in a range of devices....

" Coming soon : Build Conversation Actions using API.AI and other tools ", the web site said

" The bot landscape has grown exponentially in the past year , enabling a world where intelligent , conversational interfaces will be all around us : at work, at home, on everyone of our devices and appliances " , Beerud Sheth , CEO ,Gupshup said

In view of the ongoing shift to CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS , banks and NBFCs can take advantage of the move to build  INTERACTIVE  VOICE-DRIVEN  apps

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Besides Google , I hope members of the Chief Ministers' Committee appointed to advise the government on DIGITAL PAYMENTS , will read this email  - then call up Beerud Sheth on,

+1-855-982-2997

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17  March  2017

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs 

Some Answers Still Missing !

Business Standard  ( 16 March 2017 ) carries following news report :

Cabinet clears policy offering pricing freedom for coal bed methane gas

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for marketing and pricing freedom to the coal bed methane (CBM) contractors to sell the CBM at arm's length price in the domestic market.

 “While discovering the market price for arm’s length sales, the contractor has to ensure a fully transparent and competitive process for sale of CBM with the objective that the best possible price is realised for the gas without any restrictive commercial practices,” said a CCEA press release.

CBM contractors have also been permitted to sell the CBM to its any affiliate, in the event contractor cannot identify any buyer. Royalty and other dues to the government, however, will be payable on the basis of Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) notified prices or selling prices, whichever is higher. 

The policy is expected to incentivise the CBM operation in the country to boost gas production and will generate economic activities which in turn will be beneficial for creating more employment opportunities in CBM operations and related activities.

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While welcoming this policy in respect of CBM , instead of taking up the question of just one natural resource at a time , I hope the government will soon come out with a COMPREHENSIVE POLICY on EXPLORATION / EXPLOITATION of all NATURAL RESOURCES , which answers the questions raised by me some 3 YEARS back ( read following blog ) :

Sunday, 16 February 2014

Needed - some Simple Answers !

This is with reference to the controversy surrounding the pricing of KG-6 gas of Reliance , which started with $ 2.4 , is currently $ 4.2 and slated to rise to $ 8.4 / unit , from April 2014

Writing in yesterday's Times of India , ( Swaminomics ) , eminent economist , Swaminathan Anklesaria Aiyar , made following points  :

*   Reliance ( KG - 6 ) accounts for only 10 % of the gas production in our

     country . Balance 90 % is by Public Sector Companies such as ONGC etc

*   Hence , any increase in selling price will mostly benefit government itself

     ( Any idea , what will government do with this windfall  ? )

*   Price - hike envisaged is recommended by a committee headed by Mr C

     Rangrajan  ( - implying , infallible / sacrosanct  ?  )

*   By introducing price control on gas , " India's name is mud globally , and

     top exploration companies now avoid India "

*   An economic rule of thumb is that " traded Commodities " should be

     priced on par with the import price ( my question : irrespective of the

     actual cost of production in India ? )

     The Rangrajan price of $ 8 / unit , is well below the import price

Not being an economist , I am confused  !

May be Mr Aiyar can dispel my following doubts  :

*   By taking out of our own soil ( or sea ) , does gas become a " traded

      commodity "  ? - even if entirely sold in India ?

*    Is KG-6 gas a " Natural Resource " which belongs to the Nation - and

       not to Reliance  ?

*    Is Reliance the " Owner " of the gas or a mere " Contractor "  ?

*    Would Mr Aiyar , want the Central Government to extend the same logic

      to other " Natural Resources " ( belonging to the country ) , being dug

      out from the earth ( by private companies ) , such as :

      *   Oil / Coal / Shale Gas etc  (  Fossil Fuels )

      *   Ores of Iron / Copper / Zinc / Aluminum etc

      *   Trees ( timber ) that grow in our jungles

      *   Any number of minor minerals / chemicals

      Should these too , be treated as " Traded Commodities " , whose local

      selling prices must be same as Imported prices ?

*    What about the  air / wind  that blows freely over our land  ?

      Does it belong to the Nation or not  ?

      Or , does it belong to the Companies setting up  WIND FARMS  , to

      generate electricity  ?

      Should such power be " Price Controlled " or not  ?

*    What about the  Sunlight  that falls on our vast land  ?

      Who does it belong to  ? To our government or to the companies setting

      up mega Solar Power Projects  ?

     Should there be a price control on such power - produced , using a  National Resource  ?

*    What about the hydro - power generated by private sector companies

     from the water flowing in our Country's rivers  ?

     Does - or does not - that water belong to the Nation  ?

     Should not such power be price - controlled  ?

*   Tomorrow , if a private sector company ( or a consortium of Indian

      Companies , in joint venture with foreign companies ) , invest Rs 1 Lakh

      Crores , to build the 22 Km long Kalpsar Dam across the Bay of Cambay

      in Gujarat , and generate 10,000 MW of power from Oceanic Tides  , -

     can they be allowed to set any selling price  ? At International price  ?

     I suppose , it would be next to impossible for them to " Export " such

     power beyond the shores of India  !

*   Incidentally , what about the Airwaves ( the 2G / 3G Spectrum )  ?

     Is that also a Natural Resource which belongs to the Nation ?

     Having " licensed " it from the Central Government  , can Mobile

     Phone companies , set any selling prices for their services  ?

Even with a combined debt of around Rs 2 Lakh Crores , how are these

    Mobile companies , able to deliver ( nearly ? ) cheapest mobile phone

    services in the entire World ? May be at 10 % of international price  ?

*   In ALL of the above - mentioned cases , should Central Government

     carefully calculate / frequently audit , the " Cost of Production "  ? Then

    link the " Local / Domestic , Selling Prices "  to such " Cost of Production "

    allowing certain  pre-determined " Return on Investment "  ?

*   Even as we agree that " Export prices " of gas are governed by prevailing   

     international prices , how come the " Domestic Prices " of gas are vastly

     different in different countries , ranging from under $ 1 to $ 5 / unit  ?

     Does this itself , not prove that , in each country , domestic prices are

    linked to their own local " Cost of Production "  ?

*  Very often , have we not exported , food grains , at " Below the Cost " ?

Mr  AIYAR ,

You will be doing a great service to millions of ignoramus like me , by offering your own " Views " on the points raised above

And , I suppose , since the fall in production from KG - 6 , is purely and entirely , due to " Technically Sound " reasons , raising of the selling price to

$ 8 ( or even $ 16 / - ! ) , won't result in any increase in production !

Time alone will tell  !

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FOOTNOTE :

It seems , Oil Minister , Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has taken some of my suggestions into account while announcing auction of 67 Oil / Gas blocks , yesterday

Hindustan Times   ( 26 May 2016 ) describes these as follows :


"  Spelling out salient features of the policy , sources said the auction will be done on a REVENUE SHARING model, where bidders will be asked to quote the REVENUE they will share with the government at LOW and HIGH end of the PRICE  and PRODUCTION


The new REVENUE SHARING REGIME will replace the controversial PRODUCTION SHARING contract ( PSC ) model where oil and gas blocks are awarded to those firms which show they will do maximum work on a block


Also , a single license for exploration and exploitation of conventional and non-conventional hydrocarbons will be issued and operators will have freedom to sell oil and gas on arms length market price , Pradhan said , adding that there would be no cess on crude oil  "

17  March  2017

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs