KHATIMA NEWS
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The government has removed the location-based restriction that earlier limited CGHS eligibility for serving central government employees according to their residence or ing. Eligible employees outside covered areas can now choose CGHS, subject to other conditions and payment of the prescribed contribution, but the choice cannot later be changed.
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The Ministry of External Affairs has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, changing the validity provision for ordinary 36-page passports issued to children under 15. Such passports will remain valid for 5 years or until the child turns 15, whichever comes first.
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The government’s new UPI framework keeps person-to-person payments free and removes MDR on merchant payments up to 2,000 rupees. For eligible transactions above that threshold, merchants may face a 0.4% charge, capped at 300 rupees, while customers should not be billed separately.
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The Union Cabinet has approved an increase in the EPFO wage ceiling from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 per month. In Bhopal, National Front of Indian Trade Unions General Secretary Dr Virat Jaiswal said the change could affect between 50 lakh and one crore people, though his quoted statement is incomplete.
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The government has sold around 4,000 tonnes of onions from its buffer stock in 17 cities within 10 days, offering the produce at Rs 35 per kg through retail channels. The move aims to ease pressure on consumers after onion prices rose sharply in several parts of the country.
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The Petroleum Ministry has directed states and Union territories to encourage PNG use in areas where pipeline networks are already available. Customers who do not take a PNG connection after receiving notice may have their LPG cylinder connection cancelled under the reported 2026 orders, ending the option to keep both connections.
