Mumbai, Jul 4(UNI) Karbonn Mobiles today announced the launch of a new budget-orientated smartphone, the K9 Kavach 4G in India. The smartphone comes with market operating price (MOP) of Rs 5290 and will be available from select retail stores across the country and through online channels starting from today. Company has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to become the first Indian smartphone brand to integrate BHIM App (Bharat Interface for Money)in its latest device ‘K9 Kavach 4G’ With the launch of BHIM enabled 'K9 Kavach 4G ' smartphone, Karbonn Mobiles takes a big step towards strengthening its services portfolio while contributing towards Government of India’s ‘Digital India’ initiative and creating a less-cash economy. 'K9 Kavach 4G ' has been designed with a unique security feature 'Kavach' to offer its consumers a completely safe and secured smartphone environment for all digital banking transactions and information. Commenting on the association with NPCI and the launch of K9 Kavach 4G, Mr. Pardeep Jain, Managing Director, Karbonn Mobiles said, 'We, at Karbonn, are immensely honored to have an opportunity to partner with NPCI to integrate BHIM in our devices. This partnership is an epitome of two 'Made in India ' entities joining hands to enable digital Indians with smart telephony solutions. Through this partnership, our aim is to promote a cashless economy empowering and educating more and more people in tier 2, 3 cities and rural areas about digital transactions and benefits of the same. The volume of digital transaction has increased by 80 percent in the last quarter and is slated to increase even further. Hence, our aim is to reach out to the next billion users and continue to contribute to ‘Digital India’ initiative through smart and simplified technology which has always been the core of our business.' UNI JS NV NP1626