General Affairs
Avoid Using Pellet Guns, Rajnath Singh Tells Security Forces In Kashmir
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SHRINAGAR: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today appealed to security forces to refrain from using pellet guns in Kashmir where unrest sparked by the killing of 22-year-old terrorist Burhan Wani earlier this month has left around 3,000 people injured and at least 47 dead.
Saying that thousands of security personnel have also been injured, Mr Singh appealed to protesters to not throw rocks at the forces. He said security forces have been asked to exercise maximum restraint when dealing with protesters.
"We are doing all we can do for the injured," the Home Minister, on a two-day visit to the valley, said. Security forces' use of crowd-control means like pellet guns have triggered widespread concern and opened the government to attacks from the Opposition.
"The Prime Minister is also worried about the current state of affairs here. We don't want a need-based relationship with Kashmir, we want an emotional one," Mr Singh said on a day he met several delegations in the valley including the state's Opposition National Conference.
Training guns on Pakistan, he said the country which itself was "a victim of terror", should not fuel militancy in Kashmir. "Pakistan's role isn't pak (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour," he said.
Mr Singh's remarks come a day after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj's sharp rebuke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for supporting protests against what Islamabad has described at the United Nations and elsewhere as India's blatant violation of human rights in Kashmir.
Accusing Islamabad of an "unabashed embrace of terrorism" Ms Swaraj warned that its stated goal of detaching Kashmir from India will "not be realised to the end of eternity."
Saying that thousands of security personnel have also been injured, Mr Singh appealed to protesters to not throw rocks at the forces. He said security forces have been asked to exercise maximum restraint when dealing with protesters.
"The Prime Minister is also worried about the current state of affairs here. We don't want a need-based relationship with Kashmir, we want an emotional one," Mr Singh said on a day he met several delegations in the valley including the state's Opposition National Conference.
Training guns on Pakistan, he said the country which itself was "a victim of terror", should not fuel militancy in Kashmir. "Pakistan's role isn't pak (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour," he said.
Mr Singh's remarks come a day after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj's sharp rebuke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for supporting protests against what Islamabad has described at the United Nations and elsewhere as India's blatant violation of human rights in Kashmir.
Accusing Islamabad of an "unabashed embrace of terrorism" Ms Swaraj warned that its stated goal of detaching Kashmir from India will "not be realised to the end of eternity."
In Second Phase Of Scheme Initiated By PM, 18 Ministers Yet To Adopt Village
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NEW DELHI: As many as 18 cabinet ministers are yet to adopt a village in the second phase of 'Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)', a scheme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The scheme, which was announced by PM Modi in his first Independence Day speech, has now entered its second phase and the last date for selection of the village was January 31 this year.
As per the official data, besides PM Modi, only 8 ministers have adopted a village in the second phase.
Sushma Swaraj, Ramvilas Paswan, Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Birender Singh, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Smriti Irani and Prakash Javadekar are the ministers who have adopted a village.
The remaining 18 Cabinet ministers are yet to adopt a village, according to Rural Development Ministry's data. Under the SAGY, MPs from all political parties need to adopt villages with an aim to transform them into model villages and take the responsibility of developing physical and institutional infrastructure in these areas.
All 795 MPs, including 543 from Lok Sabha and 252 from Rajya Sabha, are to develop 3 villages each by 2019.
In the first phase, out of 795 MPs, 701 had adopted villages, while in second phase the response was poor with merely 102 MPs having selected a village for adoption.
MPs have complained about lack of separate funding for the scheme. There is no separate budgetary allocation under SAGY, but MPs have been suggested to channelise money to their chosen villages through the convergence of 21 ongoing developmental schemes like Indira Awaas Yojana for rural housing, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.
The objective of the SAGY is to substantially improve the standard of living and quality of life of all sections of the population in the selected villages.
Besides infrastructure development, the scheme aims at inculcating values in the villagers so they become models for others to follow.
The scheme, which was announced by PM Modi in his first Independence Day speech, has now entered its second phase and the last date for selection of the village was January 31 this year.
Sushma Swaraj, Ramvilas Paswan, Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Birender Singh, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Smriti Irani and Prakash Javadekar are the ministers who have adopted a village.
The remaining 18 Cabinet ministers are yet to adopt a village, according to Rural Development Ministry's data. Under the SAGY, MPs from all political parties need to adopt villages with an aim to transform them into model villages and take the responsibility of developing physical and institutional infrastructure in these areas.
All 795 MPs, including 543 from Lok Sabha and 252 from Rajya Sabha, are to develop 3 villages each by 2019.
In the first phase, out of 795 MPs, 701 had adopted villages, while in second phase the response was poor with merely 102 MPs having selected a village for adoption.
MPs have complained about lack of separate funding for the scheme. There is no separate budgetary allocation under SAGY, but MPs have been suggested to channelise money to their chosen villages through the convergence of 21 ongoing developmental schemes like Indira Awaas Yojana for rural housing, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.
The objective of the SAGY is to substantially improve the standard of living and quality of life of all sections of the population in the selected villages.
Besides infrastructure development, the scheme aims at inculcating values in the villagers so they become models for others to follow.
13 New Armed Police Battalions To Be Raised To Tackle Left-Wing Extremism
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NEW DELHI: Thirteen new armed police battalions, including one comprising mostly tribals from the worst Maoist-hit districts, will be raised by the government to tackle the Left-Wing Extremism.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 12 India Reserve battalions for the Left-Wing Extremism affected states.
Of the 12 battalions, four will be raised in Chhattisgarh, three each in Jharkhand and Odisha and two in Maharashtra.
The CCS has made it clear that 75 per cent of the posts at constable level will be filled from 27 worst Maoist-hit states and there should be a relaxation in age and educational criteria as considered necessary for recruiting local youths, a Home Ministry official said.
Besides, approval has been given to CRPF for raising a 'Bastariya' battalion by recruiting youths from undivided Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. For this battalion, all constables will be recruited from tribal dominated Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts (all parts of undivided Bastar).
Further, two already sanctioned India Reserve battalions will be converted into auxiliary battalions in CRPF by recruiting youths from 15 severely Maoist affected districts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Odisha. Out of these 15 districts, five belong to Chhattisgarh.
The concept of 'Bastariya' battalion was considered useful as the recruits will be mostly tribals who would help address local unemployment issue, provide tactical advantage to CRPF in operations, intelligence collection and language benefits.
While in case of tribal candidates in rest of the country where the minimum height has to be 160 CMs, as many as 4.5 chief minister has been given as relaxation for the candidates from Bastar region while there will be 10 per cent relaxation in weight, which has to be proportionate to height and age in case of other candidates.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 12 India Reserve battalions for the Left-Wing Extremism affected states.
The CCS has made it clear that 75 per cent of the posts at constable level will be filled from 27 worst Maoist-hit states and there should be a relaxation in age and educational criteria as considered necessary for recruiting local youths, a Home Ministry official said.
Besides, approval has been given to CRPF for raising a 'Bastariya' battalion by recruiting youths from undivided Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. For this battalion, all constables will be recruited from tribal dominated Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts (all parts of undivided Bastar).
Further, two already sanctioned India Reserve battalions will be converted into auxiliary battalions in CRPF by recruiting youths from 15 severely Maoist affected districts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Odisha. Out of these 15 districts, five belong to Chhattisgarh.
The concept of 'Bastariya' battalion was considered useful as the recruits will be mostly tribals who would help address local unemployment issue, provide tactical advantage to CRPF in operations, intelligence collection and language benefits.
While in case of tribal candidates in rest of the country where the minimum height has to be 160 CMs, as many as 4.5 chief minister has been given as relaxation for the candidates from Bastar region while there will be 10 per cent relaxation in weight, which has to be proportionate to height and age in case of other candidates.
Delhi And Gujarat Will Fight Together Against BJP: Arvind Kejriwal
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NEW DELHI: In a clear indication that Gujarat was on AAP's electoral radar, party's national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the result of the Assembly polls in Gujarat next year could "surprise everyone" and that Delhi and Gujarat will now "fight together" against the BJP.
Mr Kejriwal, who visited Gujarat twice in the recent past, claimed the people in the state are extremely "angry" with the BJP government led by Anandiben Patel and accused it of levelling "false charges" against members of the Patidar and Dalit communities.
"Gujarat is very very angry against Anandiben Patel n BJP. Next year, Guj election results cud surprise everyone. Anandiben is sending dalits and patidars to jail in false cases while Modiji is doing the same in Delhi. Delhi and Gujarat will now fight together (sic)," the AAP chief said in a series of tweets.
He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on the assault on Dalits "proves" that these incidents had the blessings of the top leadership of BJP.
"PM Modi's continued silence on dalit attacks proves that these attacks are taking place with active support from top BJP leadership," he alleged in another tweet.
At his maiden 'Talk to AK' session last week, Mr Kejriwal had said that AAP will surely contest polls in Gujarat provided people want the party to do so.
In Gujarat, Mr Kejriwal dubbed the BJP "anti-Dalit" and accused the ruling BJP of "trampling" upon the depressed sections after meeting the Dalit victims who were thrashed by cow vigilantes for allegedly skinning a dead cow on July 11.
Mr Kejriwal, who visited Gujarat twice in the recent past, claimed the people in the state are extremely "angry" with the BJP government led by Anandiben Patel and accused it of levelling "false charges" against members of the Patidar and Dalit communities.
He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on the assault on Dalits "proves" that these incidents had the blessings of the top leadership of BJP.
"PM Modi's continued silence on dalit attacks proves that these attacks are taking place with active support from top BJP leadership," he alleged in another tweet.
At his maiden 'Talk to AK' session last week, Mr Kejriwal had said that AAP will surely contest polls in Gujarat provided people want the party to do so.
In Gujarat, Mr Kejriwal dubbed the BJP "anti-Dalit" and accused the ruling BJP of "trampling" upon the depressed sections after meeting the Dalit victims who were thrashed by cow vigilantes for allegedly skinning a dead cow on July 11.
Pak Newspaper Calls Nawaz Sharif's Kashmir Dream 'Wishful Thinking'
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ISLAMABAD: Slamming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for saying he was waiting for the day all of Kashmir will join Pakistan, a Pakistani daily today urged him not to indulge in "wishful thinking".
"Such statements are nothing more than rhetoric," the Daily Times said in an editorial.
"Instead of indulging in wishful thinking, the PM needs to sit back and think with a cool mind the ways to resolve the regional issues," it added.
"[Pakistan's] stance [on Kashmir] is commendable but making statements about the accession of Kashmir without any clear policy seems inappropriate," the daily said.
"By uttering these words, the PM is challenging the authority of India and inviting more trouble not only for Pakistan but Kashmiris also."
The daily said that talking about Jammu and Kashmir's accession with Pakistan was easy but nobody knew how to make it happen.
"It could only happen through talks or war. There is no other solution... Kashmiris are already paying a heavy price for this conflict," it said.
"What can Pakistan offer to Kashmiris when it is still coping with numerous challenges that are posing a threat to its own stability?" the daily said.
The editorial said that instead of talking about capturing more land, Islamabad needed to make Pakistani-occupied Kashmir a model state.
For the last 67 years, Pakistan had failed to ensure good governance in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, it said.
The daily urged India and Pakistan to resolve their bilateral issues amicably.
"Both Pakistan and India governments must take pity on their respective people and come to the negotiating table for striking a permanent peace deal," it said.
"Such statements are nothing more than rhetoric," the Daily Times said in an editorial.
"Instead of indulging in wishful thinking, the PM needs to sit back and think with a cool mind the ways to resolve the regional issues," it added.
"[Pakistan's] stance [on Kashmir] is commendable but making statements about the accession of Kashmir without any clear policy seems inappropriate," the daily said.
"By uttering these words, the PM is challenging the authority of India and inviting more trouble not only for Pakistan but Kashmiris also."
The daily said that talking about Jammu and Kashmir's accession with Pakistan was easy but nobody knew how to make it happen.
"It could only happen through talks or war. There is no other solution... Kashmiris are already paying a heavy price for this conflict," it said.
"What can Pakistan offer to Kashmiris when it is still coping with numerous challenges that are posing a threat to its own stability?" the daily said.
The editorial said that instead of talking about capturing more land, Islamabad needed to make Pakistani-occupied Kashmir a model state.
For the last 67 years, Pakistan had failed to ensure good governance in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, it said.
The daily urged India and Pakistan to resolve their bilateral issues amicably.
"Both Pakistan and India governments must take pity on their respective people and come to the negotiating table for striking a permanent peace deal," it said.
Business Affairs
Black Money: Don't want to be big brother watching, says FM
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Asking people to come clean on unaccounted wealth and live with "heads held high", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said government is aware of sectors generating black money but it would be unpleasant to start the "big brother watching" process.
Government, he said, has to trust its citizen and hence keeping a watch on their transactions is not a very happy thing for it to do.
Pressing black money holders to come clean under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS), Jaitley said the policy of the government is to gradually nudge and push India to become a tax paying society rather than a tax evading one.
"It is an opportunity for tax payers to come out clean, clean up their books, sleep well and live with their heads held high. Those who pay taxes lead a life without fear," Jaitley said.
He added: "I'm sure it's an opportunity which is being granted, you will understand the idea behind this scheme is to slowly nudge India in to becoming more and more compliance state. As you become a compliance state, I think it is good for the country..."
Noting that tax rates are reasonable in the country and in future non-payment in all likelihood is going to be detected, he said it is extremely important to pay taxes, also at a time when India is emerging as strong economy.
He further said: "Tax department is aware of the sectors in which unaccounted money is generated. It is very unpleasant duty for any state for it to start the process of big brother watching.
"Any government has to trust its citizens and therefore to keep watching their transaction is not a very happy thing for a government to do."
Jaitley was addressing an IDS event, organised by the Department of Income Tax in association with Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and industry bodies Ficci and Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry. It was attended by Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia among others.
The Finance Minister said tax rates are moderate in India as far as the direct taxation is concerned, compared to other economies in the world, leaving out tax havens and tax exempted societies.
"If you look at the developed world or even emerging economies and compare them with India and do this comparative study of international taxation, our tax rates are extremely moderate compared to the rest of the world," he said.
Jaitley also pointed out that tax rates are an important election issue in countries like the US.
Stating that tax base is very narrow and rates are reasonable in India, Jaitley said it is mandatory, statutory and ethical duty to pay tax, but there has been general tendency to ensure how to avoid it.
He said: "As the world is proceeding on and on, with the advent of technology, more openness and transparency coming into the system it is going to be extremely difficult to conceal evasion or avoidance.
"The world today is moving towards automatic and real exchange of information. The policy of government is clear and that is to gradually nudge and push the system that India becomes a tax paying society rather than a tax evading society."
Taxation is the only source of revenue for the government and therefore those who earn, it is an inherent principle of governance that they must pay, he said.
"Therefore in order to nudge these people to pay the rates have to be kept reasonable and harassment at the hands of the tax man must be the least... so it is important for the revenue department that the relationship between it and the assessee is non adversarial, the contact between each other should be least, that is the reason why things have been made online" he added.
Advocating that sources where unassessed income is created are minimised and eliminated, Jaitley said "we already have a large number of sectors of the economy which are slowly moving in that direction."
Jaitley also reiterated that the income declaration is not an amnesty scheme.
Asking people to come clean on unaccounted wealth and live with "heads held high", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said government is aware of sectors generating black money but it would be unpleasant to start the "big brother watching" process.
Government, he said, has to trust its citizen and hence keeping a watch on their transactions is not a very happy thing for it to do.
Pressing black money holders to come clean under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS), Jaitley said the policy of the government is to gradually nudge and push India to become a tax paying society rather than a tax evading one.
"It is an opportunity for tax payers to come out clean, clean up their books, sleep well and live with their heads held high. Those who pay taxes lead a life without fear," Jaitley said.
He added: "I'm sure it's an opportunity which is being granted, you will understand the idea behind this scheme is to slowly nudge India in to becoming more and more compliance state. As you become a compliance state, I think it is good for the country..."
Noting that tax rates are reasonable in the country and in future non-payment in all likelihood is going to be detected, he said it is extremely important to pay taxes, also at a time when India is emerging as strong economy.
He further said: "Tax department is aware of the sectors in which unaccounted money is generated. It is very unpleasant duty for any state for it to start the process of big brother watching.
"Any government has to trust its citizens and therefore to keep watching their transaction is not a very happy thing for a government to do."
Jaitley was addressing an IDS event, organised by the Department of Income Tax in association with Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and industry bodies Ficci and Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry. It was attended by Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia among others.
The Finance Minister said tax rates are moderate in India as far as the direct taxation is concerned, compared to other economies in the world, leaving out tax havens and tax exempted societies.
"If you look at the developed world or even emerging economies and compare them with India and do this comparative study of international taxation, our tax rates are extremely moderate compared to the rest of the world," he said.
Jaitley also pointed out that tax rates are an important election issue in countries like the US.
Stating that tax base is very narrow and rates are reasonable in India, Jaitley said it is mandatory, statutory and ethical duty to pay tax, but there has been general tendency to ensure how to avoid it.
He said: "As the world is proceeding on and on, with the advent of technology, more openness and transparency coming into the system it is going to be extremely difficult to conceal evasion or avoidance.
"The world today is moving towards automatic and real exchange of information. The policy of government is clear and that is to gradually nudge and push the system that India becomes a tax paying society rather than a tax evading society."
Taxation is the only source of revenue for the government and therefore those who earn, it is an inherent principle of governance that they must pay, he said.
"Therefore in order to nudge these people to pay the rates have to be kept reasonable and harassment at the hands of the tax man must be the least... so it is important for the revenue department that the relationship between it and the assessee is non adversarial, the contact between each other should be least, that is the reason why things have been made online" he added.
Advocating that sources where unassessed income is created are minimised and eliminated, Jaitley said "we already have a large number of sectors of the economy which are slowly moving in that direction."
Jaitley also reiterated that the income declaration is not an amnesty scheme.
Steps on to operationalise waterways and increase freight traffic: Govt
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Steps are on to operationalise waterways and increase freight traffic volumes through this mode of transport under the Sagarmala project, the government said on Saturday.
Ways to increase the share of inland waterways in India's modal mix to reduce logistics costs with minimal investment, as envisioned in the Sagarmala National Perspective plan was discussed in a workshop on Saturday, the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.
"The workshop deliberated on the freight traffic potential in National Waterways 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 additional inland waterways identified for early development," the statement said.
Besides, the scope for leveraging the Indo-Bangladesh agreement on coastal shipping and extended protocol routes on inland water transit was also discussed.
"This will enable cheaper movement of cargo to and from North East India and will decongest the road and rail networks, via Siliguri corridor, which are currently being utilised for the same," the statement said.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) representatives highlighted the infrastructure development work currently being undertaken to increase the navigability of the National Waterways and the business development efforts to increase the freight traffic volumes, it said.
It was also informed that IWAI will take forward the discussion with the private sector and public sector companies who have expressed long term interest in utilising the National Waterways for freight movement.
The main challenges and issues faced by the potential shippers in utilising the inland waterways for freight movement were also discussed during the workshop.
India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks.
Of the total navigable length of 14,500 km, 5,200 km of the rivers and 4,000 km of canals can be used by mechanised craft.
However, approximately 90 per cent of freight in India currently moves via land transport (road, rail, pipelines).
Share of waterways (coastal shipping and inland waterways) in India's modal mix is lower as compared to countries like USA and China.
Steps are on to operationalise waterways and increase freight traffic volumes through this mode of transport under the Sagarmala project, the government said on Saturday.
Ways to increase the share of inland waterways in India's modal mix to reduce logistics costs with minimal investment, as envisioned in the Sagarmala National Perspective plan was discussed in a workshop on Saturday, the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.
"The workshop deliberated on the freight traffic potential in National Waterways 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 additional inland waterways identified for early development," the statement said.
Besides, the scope for leveraging the Indo-Bangladesh agreement on coastal shipping and extended protocol routes on inland water transit was also discussed.
"This will enable cheaper movement of cargo to and from North East India and will decongest the road and rail networks, via Siliguri corridor, which are currently being utilised for the same," the statement said.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) representatives highlighted the infrastructure development work currently being undertaken to increase the navigability of the National Waterways and the business development efforts to increase the freight traffic volumes, it said.
It was also informed that IWAI will take forward the discussion with the private sector and public sector companies who have expressed long term interest in utilising the National Waterways for freight movement.
The main challenges and issues faced by the potential shippers in utilising the inland waterways for freight movement were also discussed during the workshop.
India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks.
Of the total navigable length of 14,500 km, 5,200 km of the rivers and 4,000 km of canals can be used by mechanised craft.
However, approximately 90 per cent of freight in India currently moves via land transport (road, rail, pipelines).
Share of waterways (coastal shipping and inland waterways) in India's modal mix is lower as compared to countries like USA and China.
Govt to invest Rs 200 crore on scaling up existing incubators
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Government will identify 10 incubators out of existing 200 such centres and invest Rs 200 crore on scaling up their capacity, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Saturday.
"There are 200 existing incubation centres. We will scale up 10 best incubation by 10x. We have received 120 applications for the same. We will select 10 and to each incubator we will produce Rs 20 crore," Kant said at Startup India state's conference.
He said the government will invest Rs 20 lakh to support existing tinkering labs.
"We are going to set up 100 new incubation centres this year. We have received 3,000 applications for it," Kant said.
He said the government is soon going to start a contest to find out solution for problems in India.
"Can we do a flyover, which takes 4-5 years, in 30 days and to my mind it is possible," Kant said.
He said that challenge will include developing solution for farming to help farmer decide which seed should be sown in a particular season depending on soil and weather condition to get maximum output.
The government will look at finding solution for sewage problem and solving water crisis as part of the contest, he said.
"Grand challenge will be launched shortly. There is huge opportunity," Kant said.
Government will identify 10 incubators out of existing 200 such centres and invest Rs 200 crore on scaling up their capacity, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Saturday.
"There are 200 existing incubation centres. We will scale up 10 best incubation by 10x. We have received 120 applications for the same. We will select 10 and to each incubator we will produce Rs 20 crore," Kant said at Startup India state's conference.
He said the government will invest Rs 20 lakh to support existing tinkering labs.
"We are going to set up 100 new incubation centres this year. We have received 3,000 applications for it," Kant said.
He said the government is soon going to start a contest to find out solution for problems in India.
"Can we do a flyover, which takes 4-5 years, in 30 days and to my mind it is possible," Kant said.
He said that challenge will include developing solution for farming to help farmer decide which seed should be sown in a particular season depending on soil and weather condition to get maximum output.
The government will look at finding solution for sewage problem and solving water crisis as part of the contest, he said.
"Grand challenge will be launched shortly. There is huge opportunity," Kant said.
Remove local taxes on essential food items, urges Centre to states
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Concerned over the rising prices of pulses and other commodities, government has asked the states to remove all local taxes on essential food items, among the other steps taken to ensure supplies at affordable prices.
Officials of the consumer affairs ministry said that in order to ensure adequate availability of pulses, edible oils and other essential food items at reasonable prices, the Centre has urged the states to remove all local taxes on essential food items.
In a letter written to Chief Secretaries of the states, consumer affairs secretary Hem Pande has asked the states to take up the market intervention on a realtime basis and to review APMC Acts on priority to delist pulses and other essential food items so that farmers can sell their produce at any place of their choice, minimising stages of supply chain from the farm gate to ultimate consumers.
The ministry said it will ensure reasonable prices for consumers and also fetch better prices for farmers. The Consumer Affairs Secretary has invited states' attention towards the action plan adopted for this purpose in the States Food Ministers meeting held in May this year. States have also been requested to consider a pricing policy for pulses and such other essential food items under Section 3(2) (c) of the Essential Commodities Act and to make it enforceable for all stake holders to cap the prices of essential commodities.
The secretary has also asked the states to implement the Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme for market intervention to enhance availability and check prices of essentials. For successful functioning of the scheme, adequate and timely lifting of pulses from buffer stock is a pre-requisite besides strengthening storage facilities for pulses, vegetables edible oils seeds and onions, he said. States have also been requested to keep a close watch on hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities in view of the coming festival season.
Concerned over the rising prices of pulses and other commodities, government has asked the states to remove all local taxes on essential food items, among the other steps taken to ensure supplies at affordable prices.
Officials of the consumer affairs ministry said that in order to ensure adequate availability of pulses, edible oils and other essential food items at reasonable prices, the Centre has urged the states to remove all local taxes on essential food items.
In a letter written to Chief Secretaries of the states, consumer affairs secretary Hem Pande has asked the states to take up the market intervention on a realtime basis and to review APMC Acts on priority to delist pulses and other essential food items so that farmers can sell their produce at any place of their choice, minimising stages of supply chain from the farm gate to ultimate consumers.
The ministry said it will ensure reasonable prices for consumers and also fetch better prices for farmers. The Consumer Affairs Secretary has invited states' attention towards the action plan adopted for this purpose in the States Food Ministers meeting held in May this year. States have also been requested to consider a pricing policy for pulses and such other essential food items under Section 3(2) (c) of the Essential Commodities Act and to make it enforceable for all stake holders to cap the prices of essential commodities.
The secretary has also asked the states to implement the Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme for market intervention to enhance availability and check prices of essentials. For successful functioning of the scheme, adequate and timely lifting of pulses from buffer stock is a pre-requisite besides strengthening storage facilities for pulses, vegetables edible oils seeds and onions, he said. States have also been requested to keep a close watch on hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities in view of the coming festival season.
GST listing in RS likely this week, Jaitley to meet state FMs
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Government is likely to list the much-delayed GST Bill for discussion in the Rajya Sabha this week after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley meets state finance ministers on Tuesday.
Jaitley, who has been engaged in back-channel negotiations with Congress leaders to get the main opposition party on board, will discuss proposed amendments to the GST legislation passed by the Lok Sabha at the meeting of the empowered committee of state finance ministers.
The meeting may take up changes as demanded by the Congress in the constitutional amendment Bill, including one for scrapping of one per cent additional tax in hands of the states, official sources said.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill will be listed for discussion in the Rajya Sabha after taking on board views of the states.
On Friday, while listing out government business for the week beginning July 25, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told the Rajya Sabha that the GST Bill will come up for discussion next week.
"(This is for) further consideration and passing of the Constitution 122nd Amendment Bill, 2014, as passed by the Lok Sabha and as reported by the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha," he said in the Upper House.
The Congress, which originally mooted GST in 2009 to replace all indirect taxes, has been demanding that the overall rate be capped at 18 per cent and scrapping of an additional 1 per cent tax designed to compensate manufacturing states that fear losing out on revenue. It also wants an independent mechanism to resolve disputes between states over revenue sharing.
While Jaitley has indicated his openness in scrapping the 1 per cent additional tax after a panel headed by Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian favoured it, the issue needs to be discussed with the manufacturing states.
In order to mobilise support from regional parties for the long-pending indirect tax reform, Jaitley met Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and courted senior leadership of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the weekend.
The government is counting on regional parties to push through the legislation in the Rajya Sabha. After meeting Jaitley last week, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar is backing the government's move of not putting the tax cap in the Constitution amendment Bill. The TMC and the BJD have already extended their support.
Jaitley is also trying to get SP on board in this regard.
The 1 per cent additional tax on inter-state sales was proposed as manufacturing states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu were of the view that after having spent money on putting up infrastructure, they would lose out on revenue as GST is more of a destination tax.
GST would subsume all indirect taxes like excise, sales and service levies. In the new regime, there will be one Central GST or C-GST and State GST or S-GST.
States levy sales tax or VAT on goods sold within their jurisdiction and get a Central Sales Tax (CST) on sales made outside their territories.
This CST will no longer be available in the new regime and a 1 per cent additional tax was proposed to make up for that.
The GST Bill, which intends to convert 29 states into a single market through a new indirect tax regime, was earlier planned to be introduced from April 1 this year, but the deadline was missed as the legislation to roll it out remains in limbo in the Opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha.
The government, which has agreed to a five-hour debate on the GST bill in the Rajya Sabha, is keen to get the law passed during the current Monsoon Session of Parliament that ends on August 12.
In the 247-member Rajya Sabha, the Congress with 60 members is the single-largest party in the Rajya Sabha. The BJP has 53 members.
Government is likely to list the much-delayed GST Bill for discussion in the Rajya Sabha this week after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley meets state finance ministers on Tuesday.
Jaitley, who has been engaged in back-channel negotiations with Congress leaders to get the main opposition party on board, will discuss proposed amendments to the GST legislation passed by the Lok Sabha at the meeting of the empowered committee of state finance ministers.
The meeting may take up changes as demanded by the Congress in the constitutional amendment Bill, including one for scrapping of one per cent additional tax in hands of the states, official sources said.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill will be listed for discussion in the Rajya Sabha after taking on board views of the states.
On Friday, while listing out government business for the week beginning July 25, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told the Rajya Sabha that the GST Bill will come up for discussion next week.
"(This is for) further consideration and passing of the Constitution 122nd Amendment Bill, 2014, as passed by the Lok Sabha and as reported by the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha," he said in the Upper House.
The Congress, which originally mooted GST in 2009 to replace all indirect taxes, has been demanding that the overall rate be capped at 18 per cent and scrapping of an additional 1 per cent tax designed to compensate manufacturing states that fear losing out on revenue. It also wants an independent mechanism to resolve disputes between states over revenue sharing.
While Jaitley has indicated his openness in scrapping the 1 per cent additional tax after a panel headed by Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian favoured it, the issue needs to be discussed with the manufacturing states.
In order to mobilise support from regional parties for the long-pending indirect tax reform, Jaitley met Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and courted senior leadership of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the weekend.
The government is counting on regional parties to push through the legislation in the Rajya Sabha. After meeting Jaitley last week, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar is backing the government's move of not putting the tax cap in the Constitution amendment Bill. The TMC and the BJD have already extended their support.
Jaitley is also trying to get SP on board in this regard.
The 1 per cent additional tax on inter-state sales was proposed as manufacturing states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu were of the view that after having spent money on putting up infrastructure, they would lose out on revenue as GST is more of a destination tax.
GST would subsume all indirect taxes like excise, sales and service levies. In the new regime, there will be one Central GST or C-GST and State GST or S-GST.
States levy sales tax or VAT on goods sold within their jurisdiction and get a Central Sales Tax (CST) on sales made outside their territories.
This CST will no longer be available in the new regime and a 1 per cent additional tax was proposed to make up for that.
The GST Bill, which intends to convert 29 states into a single market through a new indirect tax regime, was earlier planned to be introduced from April 1 this year, but the deadline was missed as the legislation to roll it out remains in limbo in the Opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha.
The government, which has agreed to a five-hour debate on the GST bill in the Rajya Sabha, is keen to get the law passed during the current Monsoon Session of Parliament that ends on August 12.
In the 247-member Rajya Sabha, the Congress with 60 members is the single-largest party in the Rajya Sabha. The BJP has 53 members.
General Awareness
ECI launched NERP – National Electoral Roll Purification to minimize the voter list errors
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the National Electoral Roll Purification (NERP) programme across the country to correct errors in electoral rolls and enrolment of all eligible citizens, among other things.
NERP – 2016:-
NREP 2016 will ensure single electoral register entry for every eligible elector withunique Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number, removal of all absent, shifted or dead electors’ entries and repeat entries. The NERP is formulated in view of
- Improving Health of ERs by-inclusion of all eligible citizens in mission mode; ERs to be Free from errors.
- Single ER entry for every eligible elector with unique Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number.
- Removal of all Absent (A)/ Shifted (S)/ Dead (D) electors’ entries and Repeat Entries (REs) and ensuring Photo Electoral Rolls (PERs) with good quality correct images
- Standardization of Sections, PS boundaries & Location and improved PS map by- Optimization of part boundaries with Standardization of sections using GIS technology.
- Relocation of PS with in Part or in adjacent parts and Improved PS Map with part map, PS building image and dimensioned PS room drawing with Basic Minimum facilities(BMF) details.
- Poor quality and black and white images are proposed to be replaced by the District Election Officers (DEOs) through deployment of sufficient number of digital cameras.
- All means has been made to provide the information electronically on National Voters Service Portal (NVSP).
ECI has launched the intensive field implementation phase of NERP 2016 which would culminate well before the next draft publication of Electoral Rolls for annual summary revision with January 1, 2017.
It is recommended that all stakeholders such as political parties, NGOs, village authority, town/ward authority and general voters are requested to extend utmost co-operation to the District Election.
On the next step towards modernization, Geographic Information System (GIS)would be used to standardize sections, polling station boundaries and locations. ECI expressed that the progress of the project would be compiled and periodically shared with the media in a structured and systematic manner.
About Election Commission of India:-
- The Election Commission of India is an constitutional autonomous authority which is solely responsible for administering election processes to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice President in India.
- The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution, and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act.
- It was formed in 25 January, 1950 which is now celebrated as National Voters Day and its headquarters is instituted in New Delhi.
- Currently Chief Election Commissioner of India is Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi.
- The motto of the ECI of the year is No Voter to be left behind.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the National Electoral Roll Purification (NERP) programme across the country to correct errors in electoral rolls and enrolment of all eligible citizens, among other things.
NERP – 2016:-
NREP 2016 will ensure single electoral register entry for every eligible elector withunique Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number, removal of all absent, shifted or dead electors’ entries and repeat entries. The NERP is formulated in view of
- Improving Health of ERs by-inclusion of all eligible citizens in mission mode; ERs to be Free from errors.
- Single ER entry for every eligible elector with unique Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number.
- Removal of all Absent (A)/ Shifted (S)/ Dead (D) electors’ entries and Repeat Entries (REs) and ensuring Photo Electoral Rolls (PERs) with good quality correct images
- Standardization of Sections, PS boundaries & Location and improved PS map by- Optimization of part boundaries with Standardization of sections using GIS technology.
- Relocation of PS with in Part or in adjacent parts and Improved PS Map with part map, PS building image and dimensioned PS room drawing with Basic Minimum facilities(BMF) details.
- Poor quality and black and white images are proposed to be replaced by the District Election Officers (DEOs) through deployment of sufficient number of digital cameras.
- All means has been made to provide the information electronically on National Voters Service Portal (NVSP).
ECI has launched the intensive field implementation phase of NERP 2016 which would culminate well before the next draft publication of Electoral Rolls for annual summary revision with January 1, 2017.
It is recommended that all stakeholders such as political parties, NGOs, village authority, town/ward authority and general voters are requested to extend utmost co-operation to the District Election.
On the next step towards modernization, Geographic Information System (GIS)would be used to standardize sections, polling station boundaries and locations. ECI expressed that the progress of the project would be compiled and periodically shared with the media in a structured and systematic manner.
About Election Commission of India:-
- The Election Commission of India is an constitutional autonomous authority which is solely responsible for administering election processes to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice President in India.
- The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution, and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act.
- It was formed in 25 January, 1950 which is now celebrated as National Voters Day and its headquarters is instituted in New Delhi.
- Currently Chief Election Commissioner of India is Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi.
- The motto of the ECI of the year is No Voter to be left behind.
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