New Delhi: May 1: The new month, i.e. May, has brought many changes with it. From today, Amul milk has become costlier by Rs 2. At the same time, you will have to pay more charges for withdrawing money after the ATM’s free limit. Apart from this, now you will not be able to travel in sleeper and AC coaches on waiting tickets.
From today, the 19 kg commercial cylinder has become cheaper by ₹ 17. In Delhi, its price has come down by ₹ 14.50 to ₹ 1747. Earlier, it was available for ₹ 1762. In Kolkata, it is available for ₹ 1851.50, down by ₹ 17, earlier, its price was ₹ 1868.50.
5 changes happening in May…
1. After Mother Dairy, Amul milk also became costlier by ₹ 2
After Mother Dairy and Verka brands, Amul has also increased the price of milk by Rs 2 per litre across the country. The new prices have come into effect from today, i.e. Thursday, May 01.
The prices of Amul Standard, Amul Buffalo Milk, Amul Gold, Amul Slim & Trim, Amul Chai Maza, Amul Taaza and Amul Cow Milk have increased by Rs 2.
2. Withdrawing money from an ATM became expensive
The Reserve Bank of India has revised the ATM withdrawal charge from today. After the free monthly limit is exhausted, customers will now have to pay ₹23 per transaction at the ATM. Earlier, there was a charge of Rs 21 per transaction. This charge was implemented in 2022.
- ₹23 will be charged for each cash withdrawal after the free limit
- 5 free ATM transactions every month at your bank’s ATMs
- 3 free transactions at other bank ATMs in metro cities
- 5 free transactions at other bank ATMs in non-metro cities
- No charge in free transaction limit
- Applicable to savings account holders of all banks in India
Why has RBI increased ATM charges?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed banks to increase ATM withdrawal charges to cover rising costs. Over time, it becomes more expensive to maintain ATMs, upgrade security systems, and manage operations.
3. You will not be able to travel in Sleeper-AC coach on waiting ticket
According to the new rule of Indian Railways, passengers with waiting list tickets will no longer be allowed to travel in sleeper or AC coaches.
Passengers whose tickets are on the waiting list will now be able to travel only in general coaches. If a passenger is found travelling in AC or sleeper coach on a waiting ticket, he will be fined. Its purpose is to increase convenience in travel and reduce overcrowding in coaches.
Penalty for violation:
- Penalty for AC: ₹440
- Penalty for sleeper: ₹250
Additionally, you will have to pay the fare from the train’s starting station to the station where you are caught.
Railways said that tickets booked through IRCTC are automatically cancelled if they are not confirmed, but people use tickets booked from the counter to board the train. Due to this, passengers with confirmed tickets face inconvenience.
Another rule that will come into effect from May 1, 2025, is that every train ticket booked from the IRCTC website or app will require OTP-based mobile verification. The measure is aimed at enhancing security and preventing misuse of the booking system.
4. Commercial cylinder cheaper by ₹17, no change in domestic cylinder prices
From today, the 19 kg commercial cylinder has become cheaper by ₹ 17. In Delhi, its price has come down by ₹ 14.50 to ₹ 1747. Earlier it was available for ₹ 1762. In Kolkata, it is available for ₹ 1851.50, down by ₹ 17, earlier its price was ₹ 1868.50.
In Mumbai, the cylinder has come down by ₹14.50 from ₹1713.50 to ₹1699.00. In Chennai, the cylinder is available for ₹1906.50. However, there is no change in the price of 14.2 KG domestic gas cylinder. It is available for ₹853 in Delhi and ₹852.50 in Mumbai.
5. Merger of 26 Regional Rural Banks, ‘One State, One RRB’ policy implemented
The fourth phase of merger of 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) has come into effect from today. The government has said that the main objective of merging 26 regional rural banks in 10 states and 1 union territory is to reduce operating costs along with improving banking services.
- Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank and Madhyanchal Gramin Bank have been merged to form Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank. It is headquartered in Indore and is sponsored by Bank of India.
- Maharashtra Gramin Bank and Vidarbha Konkan Gramin Bank have been merged to form Maharashtra Gramin Bank. It is headquartered in Sambhajinagar and is sponsored by Bank of Maharashtra.
- Baroda Gujarat Gramin Bank and Saurashtra Gramin Bank merged to form Gujarat Gramin Bank. It is headquartered in Vadodara and sponsored by Bank of Baroda.
Similarly, banks have been merged in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will review the progress of this scheme on May 6. The total number of RRBs is expected to decrease from 43 to 28 due to this merger.