General Affairs
Parliament passes bill to raise maternity leave to 26 weeks
-
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today hailed the passage of Maternity Bill, which allows paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, in Parliament, calling it a "historic" decision.
The Lok Sabha passed the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 today. The Bill had already been passed by the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session. It entitles the women working in the organised sector to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks.
"I am very, very happy that we have made history today. This will help thousands of women and produce much healthier children. We have been working on it for a long time," said Maneka.
She also wrote a message on Change.org addressing the women who had petitioned her on the issue.
"This is a historic decision taken by our government. I had requested Minister for Labour to make these changes in relevant laws and I am grateful to him for taking up my request. While congratulating all working women who are planning to have a child, I assure you that we will continue to work for women in the country," the Minister said.NO COMMENTS ON PATERNITY LEAVE
Maneka also acknowledged that ensuring organisations implement the bill by providing mothers the mandatory 26 week leave and making provisions for a creche will be an uphill task.
The Minister refrained from commenting on the issue of paternity leave.
She had earlier courted controversy when she remarked that paternity leave will just be a holiday for men.
The bill also provides for maternity leave of 12 weeks to mothers adopting a child below the age of three months as well as to commissioning mothers.
It also makes it mandatory for every establishment with more than 50 employees to provide creche facilities within a prescribed distance.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today hailed the passage of Maternity Bill, which allows paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, in Parliament, calling it a "historic" decision.
The Lok Sabha passed the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 today. The Bill had already been passed by the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session. It entitles the women working in the organised sector to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, up from 12 weeks.
"I am very, very happy that we have made history today. This will help thousands of women and produce much healthier children. We have been working on it for a long time," said Maneka.
She also wrote a message on Change.org addressing the women who had petitioned her on the issue.
"This is a historic decision taken by our government. I had requested Minister for Labour to make these changes in relevant laws and I am grateful to him for taking up my request. While congratulating all working women who are planning to have a child, I assure you that we will continue to work for women in the country," the Minister said.NO COMMENTS ON PATERNITY LEAVE
Maneka also acknowledged that ensuring organisations implement the bill by providing mothers the mandatory 26 week leave and making provisions for a creche will be an uphill task.
The Minister refrained from commenting on the issue of paternity leave.
She had earlier courted controversy when she remarked that paternity leave will just be a holiday for men.
The bill also provides for maternity leave of 12 weeks to mothers adopting a child below the age of three months as well as to commissioning mothers.
It also makes it mandatory for every establishment with more than 50 employees to provide creche facilities within a prescribed distance.
India backs Dalai Lama visit to Arunachal, downplays China's objections
-
India on Thursday sought to downplay China's 'grave concerns' over the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing had last week raised the issue cautioning it was 'strongly opposed' to the visit and it could lead to 'serious damage' to bilateral relations.
New Delhi reiterated its earlier stance on Thursday.
Gopal Baglay, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs in response to a question said, "As far as it pertains to His Holiness Dalai Lama, let me say that the government's position in this regard has been consistent. He is a revered religious figure, who is treated as such by the government and the people of India."
Earlier on Friday, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang addressing a media briefing said, "China's position on the eastern section of the China-India border dispute is consistent and clear. The Dalai clique has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities and its record on the border question is not that good."
"India is fully aware of the seriousness of Dalai Lama issue and the sensitivity of China-India border question. Under such a background if India invites the Dalai Lama to visit the mentioned territory, it will cause serious damage to peace and stability of the border region and China-India relations," Geng had added.
The spiritual leader of the Tibetans will be hosted by the Tawang Buddhist Monastery along with the Arunachal Pradesh government from April 4-13.
Beijing had earlier objected to His Holiness sharing the stage with Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi during an event at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Delhi.
However, India has maintained the Dalai Lama is solely a religious figure. "Government has no say in his travels within India and no political meaning should be attached to it as such," Baglay responded.
India on Thursday sought to downplay China's 'grave concerns' over the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing had last week raised the issue cautioning it was 'strongly opposed' to the visit and it could lead to 'serious damage' to bilateral relations.
New Delhi reiterated its earlier stance on Thursday.
Gopal Baglay, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs in response to a question said, "As far as it pertains to His Holiness Dalai Lama, let me say that the government's position in this regard has been consistent. He is a revered religious figure, who is treated as such by the government and the people of India."
Earlier on Friday, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang addressing a media briefing said, "China's position on the eastern section of the China-India border dispute is consistent and clear. The Dalai clique has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities and its record on the border question is not that good."
"India is fully aware of the seriousness of Dalai Lama issue and the sensitivity of China-India border question. Under such a background if India invites the Dalai Lama to visit the mentioned territory, it will cause serious damage to peace and stability of the border region and China-India relations," Geng had added.
The spiritual leader of the Tibetans will be hosted by the Tawang Buddhist Monastery along with the Arunachal Pradesh government from April 4-13.
Beijing had earlier objected to His Holiness sharing the stage with Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi during an event at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Delhi.
However, India has maintained the Dalai Lama is solely a religious figure. "Government has no say in his travels within India and no political meaning should be attached to it as such," Baglay responded.
Opposition rakes up US racial attacks in Parliament, government calls incidents unfortunate
-
The opposition raked up the issue of racial attacks against Indians in the United States during the second leg of the budget session of the Parliament.
It alleged that the government has failed to provide security to Indians.
Even before the session began, Trinamool Congress MPs protested in front of the Gandhi statue at Parliament complex regarding the attack on Indians in the United States.
Inside the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of attacks against Indians in the US. "Why is the Modi government silent on the attacks against Indians in the US?", questioned Kharge.
While Biju Janata Dal's Bhartruhari Mahtab said, "We don't know why the Indians are getting killed."
AP Jitendra Singh Reddy, TRS MP from Telagana said, "Donald Trump's statement that America is only for Americans has raised concerns. There are lakhs of Telegu speaking Indians. The whole of Telagana mourned the death of the Indian Techie in US who was killed in a hate crime."
M Thambi Durai, AIADMK said that India should interfere in the matter of the US and address concerns.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh says that the incidents are unfortunate. "We want our Indians to feel secure in US. But since the MEA minister is unwell, we will discuss this issue in detail when she returns."
The opposition raked up the issue of racial attacks against Indians in the United States during the second leg of the budget session of the Parliament.
It alleged that the government has failed to provide security to Indians.
Even before the session began, Trinamool Congress MPs protested in front of the Gandhi statue at Parliament complex regarding the attack on Indians in the United States.
Inside the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of attacks against Indians in the US. "Why is the Modi government silent on the attacks against Indians in the US?", questioned Kharge.
While Biju Janata Dal's Bhartruhari Mahtab said, "We don't know why the Indians are getting killed."
AP Jitendra Singh Reddy, TRS MP from Telagana said, "Donald Trump's statement that America is only for Americans has raised concerns. There are lakhs of Telegu speaking Indians. The whole of Telagana mourned the death of the Indian Techie in US who was killed in a hate crime."
M Thambi Durai, AIADMK said that India should interfere in the matter of the US and address concerns.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh says that the incidents are unfortunate. "We want our Indians to feel secure in US. But since the MEA minister is unwell, we will discuss this issue in detail when she returns."
Will take up issue of shutting down of NGO Compassion International with India: US
-
The United States has said that it will take up with India the shutting down of a Colorado-based donor NGO and sought a "transparent process" for foreign NGOs in the country, saying the Christian charity has been facing "significant challenges" for some time.
Compassion International is said to be shutting down its India operations after it was put under prior permission category in May last year. When a donor organisation is put under this category, it is barred from funding any Indian NGO without the government's approval.
In December, the Home Ministry said it was unlikely to reconsider the decision, notwithstanding appeals by American authorities.
REASON FOR CLOSING NGO MUST BE TRANSPARENT: US
"NGOs do valuable work overseas. Certainly, these countries and governments have their own reasons for the laws they pass, but we believe it should be transparent and clear why they are shutting down these organisations", the State Department's acting spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.
He said the United States would take up the matter with India.
"Certainly, we will raise that with the Indian government," he said.
He expressed concern that foreign NGOs had to face challenges to run their operations in India. "Unfortunately, we have seen over the past couple of years a number of foreign-funded NGOs in India that have encountered significant challenges in continuing their operations," Toner said, adding that the US has raised the issue with India through diplomatic channels.
US-INDIA RELATIONS STRONG: MARK TONER
He, however, said that because of the strong US-India relations, "we can talk about these kinds of issues."
Toner said that "all parties" should work "cooperatively in a way that not only respects Indian laws, but also encourages a transparent process."
In a telephone interview to The New York Times, Compassion International's chief executive officer Santiago Mellado said that a briefing on the situation would be submitted to the Trump administration this week.
The reports of the shutdown came amid allegations that the charity was engaging in religious conversion.
Other religious charities are watching the case closely, Mellado told the daily, adding, "What we hear from our friends in India is that it would be tragic if they were successful in shutting down Compassion, because that would leave other ministries very vulnerable."
The United States has said that it will take up with India the shutting down of a Colorado-based donor NGO and sought a "transparent process" for foreign NGOs in the country, saying the Christian charity has been facing "significant challenges" for some time.
Compassion International is said to be shutting down its India operations after it was put under prior permission category in May last year. When a donor organisation is put under this category, it is barred from funding any Indian NGO without the government's approval.
In December, the Home Ministry said it was unlikely to reconsider the decision, notwithstanding appeals by American authorities.
REASON FOR CLOSING NGO MUST BE TRANSPARENT: US
"NGOs do valuable work overseas. Certainly, these countries and governments have their own reasons for the laws they pass, but we believe it should be transparent and clear why they are shutting down these organisations", the State Department's acting spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.
He said the United States would take up the matter with India.
"Certainly, we will raise that with the Indian government," he said.
He expressed concern that foreign NGOs had to face challenges to run their operations in India. "Unfortunately, we have seen over the past couple of years a number of foreign-funded NGOs in India that have encountered significant challenges in continuing their operations," Toner said, adding that the US has raised the issue with India through diplomatic channels.
US-INDIA RELATIONS STRONG: MARK TONER
He, however, said that because of the strong US-India relations, "we can talk about these kinds of issues."
Toner said that "all parties" should work "cooperatively in a way that not only respects Indian laws, but also encourages a transparent process."
In a telephone interview to The New York Times, Compassion International's chief executive officer Santiago Mellado said that a briefing on the situation would be submitted to the Trump administration this week.
The reports of the shutdown came amid allegations that the charity was engaging in religious conversion.
Other religious charities are watching the case closely, Mellado told the daily, adding, "What we hear from our friends in India is that it would be tragic if they were successful in shutting down Compassion, because that would leave other ministries very vulnerable."
ISIS links in Bhopal train blast pose fresh challenge for Intelligence agencies
-
The ISIS links in Tuesday's Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train blast have given intelligence agencies a fresh challenge to hunt sympathisers of the extremist group and track the 20-odd Indian operatives that were fighting for Daesh in Iraq and Syria as they may try to re-enter the country after heavy defeats there.
According to officials, the train blast was the first major ISIS operation in India. "ISIS has been routed by national forces in Iraq and Syria and their members are on the run. Our biggest worry is about the ISIS fighters who may be forced to return to India after their defeat… We are tracking them and are on the lookout for possible routes from where they would try to re-enter India," a top government official said.
Around 20 highly-educated Muslim students, most of them from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Maharshtra and Tamil Nadu had left India over the last few years to join ISIS to wage a war against the governments in Iraq and Syria to establish a caliphate there.
HIGHLY-INDOCTRINATED YOUTH HAVE CARRIED OUT STRIKES IN BANGLADESH
Sources said there have been cases where the highly-indoctrinated youth have carried out strikes in Bangladesh, including the massacre in a café in Dhaka, and have been active against rationalists and Hindu bloggers there. Sources said states such as UP and Madhya Pradesh are on the radar for possible ISIS activities due to the recent propaganda activities on social media in these areas.
On the waving of ISIS flags in Kashmir valley by the separatists while protesting against Army troops there, officials said there is no major activity there so far. Sources said terror groups like Hizbul Majahidden and LeT are still the major operators in Kashmir but there were reasons to be worried about the terrorist outfit as they have set up bases in country's western neighbourhood.
"There is no evidence of any ground activity in Kashmir but we are keeping an eye on the situation as ISIS operatives have been active in places like Karachi in Pakistan, where they carried out attacks… They are not very far away from Kashmir or from India," the official said.
'EFFORTS MAY BE MADE TO COUNTER ISIS IN VALLEY'
Sources say that an effort may be made to counter ISIS in the Valley by spreading the message about what ISIS presence would mean for locals, especially women, as they would be caged inside houses as was done by the group in the middle-east.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday's operations in Lucknow against suspected ISIS terrorists in which one operative Saifullah was killed by the UP police Anti Terrorist Squad, the sources said the Intelligence Bureau was tracking this group online for last few months using sophisticated equipment of the National Technical Research Organisation. Agencies of various state governments were also involved.
"The outfit which carried out the attack on train is a home grown and self-radicalised group inspired by the ISIS activities on the internet. The six men nabbed in UP and MP were in touch with each other on social media," they said. The sources said the terrorists had not stepped out of India at any point of time but were guided by the ISIS ideology.
"We are still probing how people sitting several hundred kilometers away from each other came in contact and planned a coordinated attack on the train," they said. Sources said intelligence agencies are also upgrading their capabilities to flush out more such groups where members chat with each other based on fake identities and in codes to carry out their missions.
The ISIS links in Tuesday's Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train blast have given intelligence agencies a fresh challenge to hunt sympathisers of the extremist group and track the 20-odd Indian operatives that were fighting for Daesh in Iraq and Syria as they may try to re-enter the country after heavy defeats there.
According to officials, the train blast was the first major ISIS operation in India. "ISIS has been routed by national forces in Iraq and Syria and their members are on the run. Our biggest worry is about the ISIS fighters who may be forced to return to India after their defeat… We are tracking them and are on the lookout for possible routes from where they would try to re-enter India," a top government official said.
Around 20 highly-educated Muslim students, most of them from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Maharshtra and Tamil Nadu had left India over the last few years to join ISIS to wage a war against the governments in Iraq and Syria to establish a caliphate there.
HIGHLY-INDOCTRINATED YOUTH HAVE CARRIED OUT STRIKES IN BANGLADESH
Sources said there have been cases where the highly-indoctrinated youth have carried out strikes in Bangladesh, including the massacre in a café in Dhaka, and have been active against rationalists and Hindu bloggers there. Sources said states such as UP and Madhya Pradesh are on the radar for possible ISIS activities due to the recent propaganda activities on social media in these areas.
On the waving of ISIS flags in Kashmir valley by the separatists while protesting against Army troops there, officials said there is no major activity there so far. Sources said terror groups like Hizbul Majahidden and LeT are still the major operators in Kashmir but there were reasons to be worried about the terrorist outfit as they have set up bases in country's western neighbourhood.
"There is no evidence of any ground activity in Kashmir but we are keeping an eye on the situation as ISIS operatives have been active in places like Karachi in Pakistan, where they carried out attacks… They are not very far away from Kashmir or from India," the official said.
'EFFORTS MAY BE MADE TO COUNTER ISIS IN VALLEY'
Sources say that an effort may be made to counter ISIS in the Valley by spreading the message about what ISIS presence would mean for locals, especially women, as they would be caged inside houses as was done by the group in the middle-east.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday's operations in Lucknow against suspected ISIS terrorists in which one operative Saifullah was killed by the UP police Anti Terrorist Squad, the sources said the Intelligence Bureau was tracking this group online for last few months using sophisticated equipment of the National Technical Research Organisation. Agencies of various state governments were also involved.
"The outfit which carried out the attack on train is a home grown and self-radicalised group inspired by the ISIS activities on the internet. The six men nabbed in UP and MP were in touch with each other on social media," they said. The sources said the terrorists had not stepped out of India at any point of time but were guided by the ISIS ideology.
"We are still probing how people sitting several hundred kilometers away from each other came in contact and planned a coordinated attack on the train," they said. Sources said intelligence agencies are also upgrading their capabilities to flush out more such groups where members chat with each other based on fake identities and in codes to carry out their missions.
Business Affairs
Reserve Bank of India to issue new Rs 10 notes with enhanced security features
-
The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday said it will shortly issue Rs 10 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005 with inset letter 'L' in both the number panels, bearing the signature of RBI Governor Urjit R Patel.
"The numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes are in the ascending size from left to right while the first three alpha-numeric characters (prefix) remain constant in size. The year of printing '2017' will be printed on the reverse of the banknote," RBI said.
All the banknotes in the denomination of Rs 10 issued by the bank in the past will continue to be legal tender, the RBI said.
The announcement comes four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of high value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
On February 27, Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill 2017 received the assent of the President.
The legislation, which was passed by Parliament last month, makes holding, transfer and receiving of the old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes a criminal offence. It also ends the liability of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government on the currency notes demonetised in November last year.
It prohibits holding of "more than 10 notes in total, irrespective of the denomination" after expiry of the 50-day deadline on December 30 for depositing the junked currency in banks or post offices.
The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday said it will shortly issue Rs 10 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005 with inset letter 'L' in both the number panels, bearing the signature of RBI Governor Urjit R Patel.
"The numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes are in the ascending size from left to right while the first three alpha-numeric characters (prefix) remain constant in size. The year of printing '2017' will be printed on the reverse of the banknote," RBI said.
All the banknotes in the denomination of Rs 10 issued by the bank in the past will continue to be legal tender, the RBI said.
The announcement comes four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of high value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
On February 27, Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill 2017 received the assent of the President.
The legislation, which was passed by Parliament last month, makes holding, transfer and receiving of the old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes a criminal offence. It also ends the liability of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government on the currency notes demonetised in November last year.
It prohibits holding of "more than 10 notes in total, irrespective of the denomination" after expiry of the 50-day deadline on December 30 for depositing the junked currency in banks or post offices.
Sensex, Nifty end higher ahead of exit polls
-
The Indian benchmark indices pared losses after trading in a range on Thursday, ahead of exit polls of state results due later in the day.
The S&P BSE Sensex ended the day at 28,929, up 27.19 points while the Nifty50 closed the day 8,927, 2.70 points higher.
Maruti Suzuki India gained 1.5 per cent to Rs 5,952 and was the top performer on the BSE Sensex after the auto major introduced four new products in 2017-18.
Dragging the market down were shares of Dr Reddy's dropping to a 52-week low of Rs 2,702, down 5 per cent after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made 13 observations at the company's formulations facility at Duvvada in Visakhapatnam.
Following Dr Reddy's were GAIL and Adani Ports as BSE's top losers.
The exit poll results are due at 5.30 PM today.
Any positive trend indicating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP in front could trigger buying by investors.
The Indian benchmark indices pared losses after trading in a range on Thursday, ahead of exit polls of state results due later in the day.
The S&P BSE Sensex ended the day at 28,929, up 27.19 points while the Nifty50 closed the day 8,927, 2.70 points higher.
Maruti Suzuki India gained 1.5 per cent to Rs 5,952 and was the top performer on the BSE Sensex after the auto major introduced four new products in 2017-18.
Dragging the market down were shares of Dr Reddy's dropping to a 52-week low of Rs 2,702, down 5 per cent after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made 13 observations at the company's formulations facility at Duvvada in Visakhapatnam.
Following Dr Reddy's were GAIL and Adani Ports as BSE's top losers.
The exit poll results are due at 5.30 PM today.
Any positive trend indicating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP in front could trigger buying by investors.
New accounting standards course to help read balance sheets better
-
As the balance sheets of many of the Indian companies start changing in tune with Ind-As, the new accounting standards that Indian companies are transitioning to, it is critical to train those who write and read these reports. For instance, one of the important elements of the new accounting standards is around the re-evaluation of assets. It would only mean balance sheets will have to be read even more carefully now. For, better financials could well be an outcome of a one-time correction on account of asset re-evaluation rather than say a result of a more sustainable effort at improved operations. In a bid to address some of these and other issues, the ICWAI-Management Accounting Research Foundation (ICWAI-MARF) in association with Hyderabad-based C&K Management has launched 'The Accounting Standards for Practitioners (ASP)'. It is an e-learning course. Under this, accounting practitioners and students - CA, ICWAI, ACS, MBA, M Com, B Com, BBA - will undergo intensive 130 hours of online courses covering 36 standards. C&K Management, a 'corporate training solutions' entity is part of the Hyderabad-based TMI Group, which is one of India's leading talent acquisition and management companies.
Last year, the ministry of corporate affairs had notified a road map for Ind-AS implementation in phases. As per the plan, the first set of companies with a net worth of over Rs 500 Crores - listed and unlisted - started the implementation from April 1, 2016. The second phase, staring from April 1, 2017 will cover all listed companies and unlisted companies with a net worth of Rs 250 crore or more. In the third phase, NBFCs will be required to comply with Ind-AS in a phased manner, from accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2018 for the first phase and April 1, 2019 for the second phase. "Students studying the courses - CA, ICWA, ACS, MBA, M.Com, B.Com, BBA - need the Ind-AS certification for a big value add to their resumes at the time of placement. Like computer skills, accounting skills will require outside the curriculum courses and this Ind-AS course will fill this need," said T. Muralidharan, Chairman of TMI Group. The course, 'Accounting Standards for Practitioners - ASP,' in the total duration of over 130 hours, provides an overview of each standard -- it gives a quick snapshot of various concepts within the standard. It is priced at around Rs 6000. On the completion of the course, the participants can take the online test. The pro-metric test will be conducted at the 'Aptech' Test Centres, the exam partner. All participants who qualify the online pro-metric certification test, shall be awarded with a certificate by ICWAI - MARF.
As the balance sheets of many of the Indian companies start changing in tune with Ind-As, the new accounting standards that Indian companies are transitioning to, it is critical to train those who write and read these reports. For instance, one of the important elements of the new accounting standards is around the re-evaluation of assets. It would only mean balance sheets will have to be read even more carefully now. For, better financials could well be an outcome of a one-time correction on account of asset re-evaluation rather than say a result of a more sustainable effort at improved operations. In a bid to address some of these and other issues, the ICWAI-Management Accounting Research Foundation (ICWAI-MARF) in association with Hyderabad-based C&K Management has launched 'The Accounting Standards for Practitioners (ASP)'. It is an e-learning course. Under this, accounting practitioners and students - CA, ICWAI, ACS, MBA, M Com, B Com, BBA - will undergo intensive 130 hours of online courses covering 36 standards. C&K Management, a 'corporate training solutions' entity is part of the Hyderabad-based TMI Group, which is one of India's leading talent acquisition and management companies.
Last year, the ministry of corporate affairs had notified a road map for Ind-AS implementation in phases. As per the plan, the first set of companies with a net worth of over Rs 500 Crores - listed and unlisted - started the implementation from April 1, 2016. The second phase, staring from April 1, 2017 will cover all listed companies and unlisted companies with a net worth of Rs 250 crore or more. In the third phase, NBFCs will be required to comply with Ind-AS in a phased manner, from accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2018 for the first phase and April 1, 2019 for the second phase. "Students studying the courses - CA, ICWA, ACS, MBA, M.Com, B.Com, BBA - need the Ind-AS certification for a big value add to their resumes at the time of placement. Like computer skills, accounting skills will require outside the curriculum courses and this Ind-AS course will fill this need," said T. Muralidharan, Chairman of TMI Group. The course, 'Accounting Standards for Practitioners - ASP,' in the total duration of over 130 hours, provides an overview of each standard -- it gives a quick snapshot of various concepts within the standard. It is priced at around Rs 6000. On the completion of the course, the participants can take the online test. The pro-metric test will be conducted at the 'Aptech' Test Centres, the exam partner. All participants who qualify the online pro-metric certification test, shall be awarded with a certificate by ICWAI - MARF.
Reliance Industries shares worth Rs 50,000-crore change hands on BSE
-
Reliance Industries shares worth over Rs 50,000 crore changed hands on the BSE on Thursday, days after the company announced major shareholding rejig among its promoter group entities.
As per the BSE website, the total traded shares were about Rs 51,000 crore till mid session, much higher than the average trade value of the stock.
Nearly 40 crore shares were traded as against the 2-week average quantity of less than 11 lakh. The stock closed at Rs 1,287.35 on the BSE, down 0.35 per cent from the previous close.
During the intra-day trading session, the stock had hit a low of Rs 1,281.70 and touched a high of Rs 1,298. It had opened at Rs 1,289.80. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on March 2 announced that as many as 15 promoter group entities of the company will transfer 118.99 crore shares to eight other promoter group entities at Rs 1,100.78 per share. The proposed inter-se transfers would not result in any change in promoter group shareholding of 45.24 per cent in RIL.
The shares being transfered constitute 36.7 per cent of the share capital or 38.74 per cent of voting rights. Presently, there are 63 promoter group entities and individuals, including Chairman Mukesh Ambani, wife Nita Ambani and children Akash, Anant and Isha, who hold 146.39 crore shares or 45.24 per cent of RIL. Mukesh Ambani and his immediate family is not a beneficiary of the transfer.
While Mukesh Ambani holds 36.15 lakh shares directly in RIL, his wife Nita holds 33.98 lakh shares. Their children Akash and Isha hold 33.63 lakh shares each, while Akash holds 1 lakh shares.
The 15 entities transferring their stake are Abhayaprada Enterprises, Taran Enterprises, Trilokesh Commercials, Adisesh Enterprises, Bhuvanesh Enterprises, Ajitesh Enterprises, Badri Commercials, Pitambar Enterprises, Rishikesh Enterprises, Kankhal Trading, Pavana Enterprises, Kamalakar Enterprises, Narahari Enterprises, Shreejai ZComtrade and Shrikrishna Tradecom.
The beneficiary entities are Devarshi Commercials, Karuna Commercial, Tattvam Enterprises, Srichakra Commercials, Svar Enteprises, Vasuprada Enterprises, Shreeji Comtrade and Shrikrishna Tradecom.
Reliance Industries shares worth over Rs 50,000 crore changed hands on the BSE on Thursday, days after the company announced major shareholding rejig among its promoter group entities.
As per the BSE website, the total traded shares were about Rs 51,000 crore till mid session, much higher than the average trade value of the stock.
Nearly 40 crore shares were traded as against the 2-week average quantity of less than 11 lakh. The stock closed at Rs 1,287.35 on the BSE, down 0.35 per cent from the previous close.
During the intra-day trading session, the stock had hit a low of Rs 1,281.70 and touched a high of Rs 1,298. It had opened at Rs 1,289.80. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on March 2 announced that as many as 15 promoter group entities of the company will transfer 118.99 crore shares to eight other promoter group entities at Rs 1,100.78 per share. The proposed inter-se transfers would not result in any change in promoter group shareholding of 45.24 per cent in RIL.
The shares being transfered constitute 36.7 per cent of the share capital or 38.74 per cent of voting rights. Presently, there are 63 promoter group entities and individuals, including Chairman Mukesh Ambani, wife Nita Ambani and children Akash, Anant and Isha, who hold 146.39 crore shares or 45.24 per cent of RIL. Mukesh Ambani and his immediate family is not a beneficiary of the transfer.
While Mukesh Ambani holds 36.15 lakh shares directly in RIL, his wife Nita holds 33.98 lakh shares. Their children Akash and Isha hold 33.63 lakh shares each, while Akash holds 1 lakh shares.
The 15 entities transferring their stake are Abhayaprada Enterprises, Taran Enterprises, Trilokesh Commercials, Adisesh Enterprises, Bhuvanesh Enterprises, Ajitesh Enterprises, Badri Commercials, Pitambar Enterprises, Rishikesh Enterprises, Kankhal Trading, Pavana Enterprises, Kamalakar Enterprises, Narahari Enterprises, Shreejai ZComtrade and Shrikrishna Tradecom.
The beneficiary entities are Devarshi Commercials, Karuna Commercial, Tattvam Enterprises, Srichakra Commercials, Svar Enteprises, Vasuprada Enterprises, Shreeji Comtrade and Shrikrishna Tradecom.
Parliament's Budget session resumes today; PM Modi hopeful of breakthrough on GST rollout
-
After a washed out first session which started on January 31 and concluded on February 9 following presentation of the Union Budget, Parliament resumed its second leg of the budget session today.
The Government is hopeful of gathering enough support to pave way for the successfull roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.
The Finance Bill and Enemy Property bill is also expected to be raised during the session which will continue till April 12.
Addressing media before the session, PM Narendra Modi said that he is hoping to see a breakthrough on GST bill. "All parties and the states have shown a positive approach to the bill," he said.
"We are hoping that the quality of debate will be good and there will also be a possible breakthrough on GST," the Prime Minister added.
However, on the first day of the session, the Opposition raised concern over the attacks on Indians in the US. It also raked up the anti-terror operation that took place in Lucknow.
Hitting out at the Modi government, Kharge questioned, "why the centre is silent on the issue of US hate crimes?" .
"On Thursday, these issues were raised. We will decide on other issues in rest of the session later," said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha.
Over the opposition attacks, Home Minister Rajnath Singh ensured the house that necessary steps would be taken to regarding Indians' safety in the US.
"We will take steps to ensure that Indians in USA feel secure there. Government will make a detailed statement soon", Rajnath Singh said.
He also informed the Parliament that NIA would investigate the Lucknow encounter operation.
The Home Minister also offered his sympathy to the father of a terror suspect who was killed in an encounter in Lucknow.
"I express sympathy for the father and I am sure the House joins me...the government is proud of Mohammed Sartaj and I am sure you are too," he said.
On Wednesday, Sartaj, father of the a suspected ISIS terrorist who was killed in an encounter, refused to take Saifullah's body, saying, "A traitor cannot be related to me, let alone be my son."
He said he would have handed over his son to the police if he had even "an iota of inkling" about his activities.
"My child has done a wrong thing and I have regrets for it...I would have handed him over to the police had I even an iota of inkling about it...The entire world would have seen and noticed how a father could put his own son in police hands," Sartaj told reporters.
After a washed out first session which started on January 31 and concluded on February 9 following presentation of the Union Budget, Parliament resumed its second leg of the budget session today.
The Government is hopeful of gathering enough support to pave way for the successfull roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.
The Finance Bill and Enemy Property bill is also expected to be raised during the session which will continue till April 12.
Addressing media before the session, PM Narendra Modi said that he is hoping to see a breakthrough on GST bill. "All parties and the states have shown a positive approach to the bill," he said.
"We are hoping that the quality of debate will be good and there will also be a possible breakthrough on GST," the Prime Minister added.
However, on the first day of the session, the Opposition raised concern over the attacks on Indians in the US. It also raked up the anti-terror operation that took place in Lucknow.
Hitting out at the Modi government, Kharge questioned, "why the centre is silent on the issue of US hate crimes?" .
"On Thursday, these issues were raised. We will decide on other issues in rest of the session later," said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha.
Over the opposition attacks, Home Minister Rajnath Singh ensured the house that necessary steps would be taken to regarding Indians' safety in the US.
"We will take steps to ensure that Indians in USA feel secure there. Government will make a detailed statement soon", Rajnath Singh said.
He also informed the Parliament that NIA would investigate the Lucknow encounter operation.
The Home Minister also offered his sympathy to the father of a terror suspect who was killed in an encounter in Lucknow.
"I express sympathy for the father and I am sure the House joins me...the government is proud of Mohammed Sartaj and I am sure you are too," he said.
On Wednesday, Sartaj, father of the a suspected ISIS terrorist who was killed in an encounter, refused to take Saifullah's body, saying, "A traitor cannot be related to me, let alone be my son."
He said he would have handed over his son to the police if he had even "an iota of inkling" about his activities.
"My child has done a wrong thing and I have regrets for it...I would have handed him over to the police had I even an iota of inkling about it...The entire world would have seen and noticed how a father could put his own son in police hands," Sartaj told reporters.
General Awareness
International Women’s Day Observed on March 8, 2017
-
International Women’s Day is celebrated by the Governments, NGOs and other Organizations worldwide on March 8 every year since 1900 to highlight the achievements of women in all fields ranging from political to social while calling for greater equality.
- The theme adopted by the United Nation for 2017 is Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.
About the International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day dedicated to womanhood, their social, political, cultural, political, economic achievements and their significant contributions to society with stress on gender equality.
- IWD was initially celebrated as International Working Women’s Day and is believed that the celebration on the occasion started to be held at a Socialist political event in New York City on February 28 1909.
- IWD was mostly celebrated in Socialist and Communist countries before the United Nations adopted it in 1975.
- In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.
- The day brings together governments, women’s organizations, corporations and charities to raise awareness for women and address gender bais.
PM Modi Addresses National Convention of Women Sarpanch
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Swachh Shakti 2017 – A Convention of Women Sarpanches, at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
- The National Convention of Women Sarpanch has been jointly organized by the Centre and the Gujarat government.
Important Highlights of the Conclave
As a part of the event, PM Modi gave away Swachh Shakti 2017 awards to women leaders in rural areas who have contributed immensely towards Swachh Bharat Mission.
- About 8,000 women sarpanches from across the country, including 6,000 from Gujarat attended the event on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
- Over 4000 women sarpanches from different states were taken on tours to villages in 8 districts of the state including Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Kutch.
- PM Modi highlighted that India will celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019 who had stated that cleanliness is even more important than political freedom.
- Talking about the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative, he said that villages with women Sarpanches can play a key role in the drive to end female foeticide.
- The Prime Minister said that both boys and girls should get equal access to education.
President Mukherjee Presents Nari Shakti Puraskars
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, President Pranab Mukherjee gave away the Nari Shakti Puraskars at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 8, 2017.
- The award is given to eminent women and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of women empowerment and is announced by the Selection Committee under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- The Nari Shakti Puraskar comprises Rs 1 lakh and a certificate. A total of 31 women were honoured.
Some of the winners included
- Three women scientists from ISRO namely Subha Varier, B Codananyaguy and Anatta Sonney. They have participated in ISRO’s historic space missions like the Chandrayaan mission, Mangalyaan mission and the most recent launch of 104 satellites in one go.
- An all-women troupe of Kathakali dance was also awarded for claiming a dance form which was traditionally a male preserve.
- Asia’s first woman to drive a diesel train, Mumtaz Kazi, was also bestowed with an award.
- Anoyara Khatun, a survivor of trafficking, who has worked to rescue child labourers, victims of human trade and domestic violence. Anoyara was also nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2012 and has represented India at the UN.
- Amruta Patil, a writer and painter. She is also the first female graphic novelist of the country. Her novel ‘Adi Parva’, based on the Mahabharata, Puraans and tradition of oral storytellers, was selected as one of the year 2012’s best graphic novel.
- Besides, other winners included survivors of acid attacks, environment and animal activists among others.
Textiles Ministry Announces Kamaladevi Chattopadhya National Awards Specially for Women Weavers and Women Artisans
On the occasion of International Women’s Day the Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani has announced ‘Kamaladevi Chattopadhya National Awards’, a new category of awards specially for women handloom weavers and women handicraft artisans.
- The awards will help women weavers and artisans to receive recognition and economic benefits associated with the Awards.
- It will also help to recognize the craft excellence and hard work by millions of women carrying forward the handloom and handicraft heritage.
- The Minister also launched a special campaign to provide MUDRA Loans to women handloom weavers all across the country.
- The Textiles Minister also launched an online “Handloom Weaver MUDRA Portal” in association with Punjab National Bank to submit claims and transfer funds electronically directly to the weaver’s loan account.
- The Minister also launched a national campaign to eliminate the exploitative and unhygienic practice of thigh reeling in India. To end this unhygienic and inhuman practice, the Ministry is starting the distribution of woman-friendly Buniyaad Reeling Machines to woman silk reelers.
- The Buniyaad machine has been developed by Central Silk Technological Research Institute that falls under the aegis of Central Silk Board (CSB), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, and will help to improve the productivity and income.
- Besides, two MoUs were also signed on the occasion, between the Ministry of Textiles and National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with the main objective of increasing earnings of millions of women handloom weavers & artisans belonging to backward classes who work in the handloom & handicraft sectors.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel Inaugurate “Women and Sports in India” Conference in New Delhi
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized a day-long conference on ‘Women and Sports in India’ on March 8, 2017 to deliberate upon various issues for encouraging more and more women to take up sports.
- The conference was inaugurated by the Minister of state (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel.
- The objective of the conference was to discuss various issues that women athletes or coaches face in the field of sports and to further improve upon them.
Defence Ministry Organise The Awareness Programme On The Problem Of Anaemia
An Anaemia awareness Campaign was organized by the Indian Army in the Army Hospital on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2017.
- The programme was attended by Mrs Madhulika Rawat, President Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) and many medical experts from the Services.
- The main area of discussion was on improving the quality of life of the women and children in the society affected by Anaemia.
- Anaemia is a common ailment among women which effects up to 60% of women and 80-90% preschool children in India but a majority of these cases are preventable or can be treated easily.
Commonwealth launches ‘Peace in the Home’ Programme to Tackle domestic violence
On the occasion of the International Women’s day, the Commonwealth has launched an initiative “Peace in the Home” to help the member states to deal with domestic violence that impacts the life of women.
- The “Peace in the home” programme includes a toolkits to help governments across the Commonwealth to deal with the menace.
- iii.The toolkit will enable the governments to involve multiple agencies such as schools, doctors and hospitals as well as government and law enforcement agencies to work together effectively by highlighting and sharing details of initiatives that had been particularly successful at dealing with domestic violence.
- There will also be a mentoring programme for women and an initiative to address the issue of violence around elections and politics. The programme will continue through till 2018
- Besides, an initiative to map the economic cost of domestic violence in Commonwealth countries, as well as focus on strengthening laws protecting women and girls across the group was also announced.
International Women’s Day is celebrated by the Governments, NGOs and other Organizations worldwide on March 8 every year since 1900 to highlight the achievements of women in all fields ranging from political to social while calling for greater equality.
- The theme adopted by the United Nation for 2017 is Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.
About the International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day dedicated to womanhood, their social, political, cultural, political, economic achievements and their significant contributions to society with stress on gender equality.
- IWD was initially celebrated as International Working Women’s Day and is believed that the celebration on the occasion started to be held at a Socialist political event in New York City on February 28 1909.
- IWD was mostly celebrated in Socialist and Communist countries before the United Nations adopted it in 1975.
- In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.
- The day brings together governments, women’s organizations, corporations and charities to raise awareness for women and address gender bais.
PM Modi Addresses National Convention of Women Sarpanch
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Swachh Shakti 2017 – A Convention of Women Sarpanches, at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
- The National Convention of Women Sarpanch has been jointly organized by the Centre and the Gujarat government.
Important Highlights of the Conclave
As a part of the event, PM Modi gave away Swachh Shakti 2017 awards to women leaders in rural areas who have contributed immensely towards Swachh Bharat Mission.
- About 8,000 women sarpanches from across the country, including 6,000 from Gujarat attended the event on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
- Over 4000 women sarpanches from different states were taken on tours to villages in 8 districts of the state including Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Kutch.
- PM Modi highlighted that India will celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019 who had stated that cleanliness is even more important than political freedom.
- Talking about the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative, he said that villages with women Sarpanches can play a key role in the drive to end female foeticide.
- The Prime Minister said that both boys and girls should get equal access to education.
President Mukherjee Presents Nari Shakti Puraskars
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, President Pranab Mukherjee gave away the Nari Shakti Puraskars at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 8, 2017.
- The award is given to eminent women and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of women empowerment and is announced by the Selection Committee under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- The Nari Shakti Puraskar comprises Rs 1 lakh and a certificate. A total of 31 women were honoured.
Some of the winners included
- Three women scientists from ISRO namely Subha Varier, B Codananyaguy and Anatta Sonney. They have participated in ISRO’s historic space missions like the Chandrayaan mission, Mangalyaan mission and the most recent launch of 104 satellites in one go.
- An all-women troupe of Kathakali dance was also awarded for claiming a dance form which was traditionally a male preserve.
- Asia’s first woman to drive a diesel train, Mumtaz Kazi, was also bestowed with an award.
- Anoyara Khatun, a survivor of trafficking, who has worked to rescue child labourers, victims of human trade and domestic violence. Anoyara was also nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2012 and has represented India at the UN.
- Amruta Patil, a writer and painter. She is also the first female graphic novelist of the country. Her novel ‘Adi Parva’, based on the Mahabharata, Puraans and tradition of oral storytellers, was selected as one of the year 2012’s best graphic novel.
- Besides, other winners included survivors of acid attacks, environment and animal activists among others.
Textiles Ministry Announces Kamaladevi Chattopadhya National Awards Specially for Women Weavers and Women Artisans
On the occasion of International Women’s Day the Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani has announced ‘Kamaladevi Chattopadhya National Awards’, a new category of awards specially for women handloom weavers and women handicraft artisans.
- The awards will help women weavers and artisans to receive recognition and economic benefits associated with the Awards.
- It will also help to recognize the craft excellence and hard work by millions of women carrying forward the handloom and handicraft heritage.
- The Minister also launched a special campaign to provide MUDRA Loans to women handloom weavers all across the country.
- The Textiles Minister also launched an online “Handloom Weaver MUDRA Portal” in association with Punjab National Bank to submit claims and transfer funds electronically directly to the weaver’s loan account.
- The Minister also launched a national campaign to eliminate the exploitative and unhygienic practice of thigh reeling in India. To end this unhygienic and inhuman practice, the Ministry is starting the distribution of woman-friendly Buniyaad Reeling Machines to woman silk reelers.
- The Buniyaad machine has been developed by Central Silk Technological Research Institute that falls under the aegis of Central Silk Board (CSB), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, and will help to improve the productivity and income.
- Besides, two MoUs were also signed on the occasion, between the Ministry of Textiles and National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with the main objective of increasing earnings of millions of women handloom weavers & artisans belonging to backward classes who work in the handloom & handicraft sectors.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel Inaugurate “Women and Sports in India” Conference in New Delhi
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized a day-long conference on ‘Women and Sports in India’ on March 8, 2017 to deliberate upon various issues for encouraging more and more women to take up sports.
- The conference was inaugurated by the Minister of state (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel.
- The objective of the conference was to discuss various issues that women athletes or coaches face in the field of sports and to further improve upon them.
Defence Ministry Organise The Awareness Programme On The Problem Of Anaemia
An Anaemia awareness Campaign was organized by the Indian Army in the Army Hospital on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2017.
- The programme was attended by Mrs Madhulika Rawat, President Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) and many medical experts from the Services.
- The main area of discussion was on improving the quality of life of the women and children in the society affected by Anaemia.
- Anaemia is a common ailment among women which effects up to 60% of women and 80-90% preschool children in India but a majority of these cases are preventable or can be treated easily.
Commonwealth launches ‘Peace in the Home’ Programme to Tackle domestic violence
On the occasion of the International Women’s day, the Commonwealth has launched an initiative “Peace in the Home” to help the member states to deal with domestic violence that impacts the life of women.
- The “Peace in the home” programme includes a toolkits to help governments across the Commonwealth to deal with the menace.
- iii.The toolkit will enable the governments to involve multiple agencies such as schools, doctors and hospitals as well as government and law enforcement agencies to work together effectively by highlighting and sharing details of initiatives that had been particularly successful at dealing with domestic violence.
- There will also be a mentoring programme for women and an initiative to address the issue of violence around elections and politics. The programme will continue through till 2018
- Besides, an initiative to map the economic cost of domestic violence in Commonwealth countries, as well as focus on strengthening laws protecting women and girls across the group was also announced.
No comments:
Post a Comment