General Affairs
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Accuses Opposition Of Creating Trouble In Uttar Pradesh
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Facing criticism over the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today alleged that opposition parties were trying to create "anarchy" in some places and warned of strict action against those taking the law into their hands.
Addressing a function in Moradabad, he said criminal elements, who had a free run over the last 15 years and created 'jungleraj' in the state, cannot change in a day and were trying to make "mischief" but his government was taking steps to rein them in.
"I want to warn them again... They should mend their ways or be ready to face the consequences. We will not let any farmer, labourer, trader or daughter suffer," he said, addressing a gathering after distributing wheelchairs to the differently-abled at Ratupura village.
He claimed that the crime rate has come down after his government took charge and the situation will improve in coming days. He said those violating the law will not be spared, regardless of their political affiliation.
"Law and order in the state has improved but at some places opposition parties are trying to create 'arajakata' (anarchy). Party workers should expose and thwart such attempts," Yogi Adityanath said in Bareilly while addressing party workers.
"Our main priority is to establish rule of law in the state. I want to assure the people of the state that if someone tries to take the law into their hands, the government and the administration will deal with them firmly," he added.
The Chief Minister said his government had cracked down on the anti-social elements, and cited the anti-Romeo squads against eveteasing and shutting down of illegal slaughterhouses.
"Every person in the state is feeling safe .... Criminals should leave the state or be ready to go to jail," Yogi Adityanath said.
Recent incidents of violence have led to criticism of the BJP by Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress.
"This government has clearly failed to fulfil its foremost constitutional duty of providing peaceful and secure life to the people," BSP chief Mayawati said yesterday.
"I want to warn them again... They should mend their ways or be ready to face the consequences. We will not let any farmer, labourer, trader or daughter suffer," he said, addressing a gathering after distributing wheelchairs to the differently-abled at Ratupura village.
He claimed that the crime rate has come down after his government took charge and the situation will improve in coming days. He said those violating the law will not be spared, regardless of their political affiliation.
"Law and order in the state has improved but at some places opposition parties are trying to create 'arajakata' (anarchy). Party workers should expose and thwart such attempts," Yogi Adityanath said in Bareilly while addressing party workers.
"Our main priority is to establish rule of law in the state. I want to assure the people of the state that if someone tries to take the law into their hands, the government and the administration will deal with them firmly," he added.
The Chief Minister said his government had cracked down on the anti-social elements, and cited the anti-Romeo squads against eveteasing and shutting down of illegal slaughterhouses.
"Every person in the state is feeling safe .... Criminals should leave the state or be ready to go to jail," Yogi Adityanath said.
Recent incidents of violence have led to criticism of the BJP by Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress.
"This government has clearly failed to fulfil its foremost constitutional duty of providing peaceful and secure life to the people," BSP chief Mayawati said yesterday.
Nuke Club NSG Likely To Meet Next Month, Slim Chance Of India's Entry
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The next plenary session of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is likely to be held in Swiss capital Bern next month, but the chances of any breakthrough on India's entry into the elite group still look slim, given China's persistent opposition to it.
India had officially applied for membership of the grouping which controls export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology in May last year.
The matter came up for discussion at the Seoul plenary session of the NSG in June last year, but yielded little result with Beijing scuttling India's bid on the ground that it was not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT).
Ahead of the next NSG plenary session, official sources say, India has renewed its efforts to become a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries, but resistance from China still remains despite the pro-India push from other key players such as the US, the UK, France and Russia.
China has been pressing for a two-step process which includes setting up criteria - a standard for admission - for the inclusion of countries that are not signatories to the NPT. Beijing also equates India's case with Pakistan, which, too, has applied for the NSG membership.
The issue of India's membership is expected to be discussed at the Bern meet, but the "status quo" still remains, a senior official says.
Indicating that there was no change in China's position towards India's NSG bid, Chinese Ambassador here Luo Zhaohui at an event last month had said, "On the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issue, we do not oppose any country's membership, believing that a standard for admission should be agreed upon first."
India has repeatedly said that China is the "one country" which has been blocking its bid.
The two sides conducted two rounds of talks between China's nuclear negotiator Wang Qun and India's then secretary for disarmament Amandeep Singh Gill on September 13 and October 31 last year.
The NSG consultative group's meeting in November last year also ended like the Seoul plenary session. It remained inconclusive on India's application as China continued to oppose the entry of non-NPT nations and called for a two-step "non-discriminatory" solution for admission of such countries into the grouping.
Over the last one year, India has tried to get more support for its NSG bid, but not all its efforts have proved to be successful. For instance, Turkey has agreed to support India's bid to the group, but it also favours Pakistan's bid.
New Zealand has also not given any concrete assurance on supporting India's bid.
"Prime Minister (John Phillip) Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible," a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kiwi counterpart John Key said after the latter's visit to New Delhi in October last year.
India had officially applied for membership of the grouping which controls export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology in May last year.
The matter came up for discussion at the Seoul plenary session of the NSG in June last year, but yielded little result with Beijing scuttling India's bid on the ground that it was not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT).
Ahead of the next NSG plenary session, official sources say, India has renewed its efforts to become a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries, but resistance from China still remains despite the pro-India push from other key players such as the US, the UK, France and Russia.
The issue of India's membership is expected to be discussed at the Bern meet, but the "status quo" still remains, a senior official says.
Indicating that there was no change in China's position towards India's NSG bid, Chinese Ambassador here Luo Zhaohui at an event last month had said, "On the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) issue, we do not oppose any country's membership, believing that a standard for admission should be agreed upon first."
The two sides conducted two rounds of talks between China's nuclear negotiator Wang Qun and India's then secretary for disarmament Amandeep Singh Gill on September 13 and October 31 last year.
The NSG consultative group's meeting in November last year also ended like the Seoul plenary session. It remained inconclusive on India's application as China continued to oppose the entry of non-NPT nations and called for a two-step "non-discriminatory" solution for admission of such countries into the grouping.
Over the last one year, India has tried to get more support for its NSG bid, but not all its efforts have proved to be successful. For instance, Turkey has agreed to support India's bid to the group, but it also favours Pakistan's bid.
New Zealand has also not given any concrete assurance on supporting India's bid.
"Prime Minister (John Phillip) Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible," a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kiwi counterpart John Key said after the latter's visit to New Delhi in October last year.
4 Terrorists Killed In Counter-Infiltration Operation In North Kashmir's Nowgam Sector
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Four terrorists have been killed in an ongoing counter-infiltration operation launched by the army in the Nowgam sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district. While two of them were killed yesterday, the army neutralised two terrorists near the Line of Control today.
Officials said three army soldiers have died in the counter-operation. Two soldiers were killed yesterday when troops came under attack by armed infiltrators in Nowgam whereas one army jawan lost his life today.
The security forces fought back the attack and two terrorists were killed in an ensuing encounter.
An army spokesperson said that four rifles and other warlike stores have been recovered from the site of encounter.
"The sanitisation operation is still underway," the spokesperson added.
The gun-battle started after the army intercepted a heavily armed group of infiltrators near the Line of Control in north Kashmir's Nowgam sector yesterday. In the adjacent area of Badi Bahak of Bangus Valley, security forces foiled another infiltration attempt and shot two terrorists dead in a gun-battle yesterday.
On Friday, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley visited forward areas near the Line of Control and reviewed the preparedness of troops to turn away infiltration attempts and any "misadventure" from across the border.
The security forces fought back the attack and two terrorists were killed in an ensuing encounter.
An army spokesperson said that four rifles and other warlike stores have been recovered from the site of encounter.
"The sanitisation operation is still underway," the spokesperson added.
The gun-battle started after the army intercepted a heavily armed group of infiltrators near the Line of Control in north Kashmir's Nowgam sector yesterday. In the adjacent area of Badi Bahak of Bangus Valley, security forces foiled another infiltration attempt and shot two terrorists dead in a gun-battle yesterday.
On Friday, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley visited forward areas near the Line of Control and reviewed the preparedness of troops to turn away infiltration attempts and any "misadventure" from across the border.
Special CBI Court To Resume Ayodhya Case Trial Tomorrow
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The trial in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case by a special CBI court will resume in Lucknow tomorrow, following a Supreme Court order to hear the case on a daily basis and deliver the verdict in two years.
The Supreme Court had on April 19 directed the special court to start the proceedings in the matter within a month and deliver its verdict within two years.
The CBI court during its first hearing in the state capital granted bail to five VHP leaders named as accused, including Ram Vilas Vedanti, who appeared before it yesterday.
Besides Mr Vedanti, 59, those who appeared before the CBI court here yesterday were VHP leaders Champat Rai (71), Baikunth Lal Sharma (88), Mahant Nritya Gopal Das (79) and Dharmdas Maharaj (68). The sixth accused, Satish Pradhan, did not appear.
CBI special court judge S K Yadav allowed their bail pleas asking each of them to furnish two sureties of Rs. 20,000 and a personal bond of the same amount.
The Supreme Court had last month directed that BJP stalwarts, including L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, will face trial on conspiracy charges in the demolition case.
It had dubbed the demolition of the medieval era monument as a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" and allowed CBI's plea on restoration of criminal conspiracy charges against the VVIP accused.
The matter is likely to have political implications, particularly against Mr Advani, reported to be a front-runner for the post of the President.
The top court, however, had said Kalyan Singh, who is currently the Governor of Rajasthan and during whose tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh the disputed structure was razed, is entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held a gubernatorial position.
The apex court had come down heavily on the CBI for a delay of 25 years in the trial and said, "The accused persons have not been brought to book largely because of the conduct of the CBI in not pursuing the prosecution of the aforesaid alleged offenders in a joint trial, and because of technical defects which were easily curable, but which were not cured by the State Government."
Issuing a slew of directions, a bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and R F Nariman had said, "The proceedings viz. Crime No. 198/92 (against Advani and five others) in the court of the Special Judicial Magistrate at Rae Bareilly will stand transferred to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge (Ayodhya Matters) at Lucknow."
Besides Advani, Joshi and Bharti, the accused against whom the conspiracy charge would now be invoked, are Vinay Katiar, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Vishnu Hari Dalmia, who were being tried at Rae Bareilly.
The Supreme Court had on April 19 directed the special court to start the proceedings in the matter within a month and deliver its verdict within two years.
The CBI court during its first hearing in the state capital granted bail to five VHP leaders named as accused, including Ram Vilas Vedanti, who appeared before it yesterday.
Besides Mr Vedanti, 59, those who appeared before the CBI court here yesterday were VHP leaders Champat Rai (71), Baikunth Lal Sharma (88), Mahant Nritya Gopal Das (79) and Dharmdas Maharaj (68). The sixth accused, Satish Pradhan, did not appear.
CBI special court judge S K Yadav allowed their bail pleas asking each of them to furnish two sureties of Rs. 20,000 and a personal bond of the same amount.
The Supreme Court had last month directed that BJP stalwarts, including L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, will face trial on conspiracy charges in the demolition case.
The matter is likely to have political implications, particularly against Mr Advani, reported to be a front-runner for the post of the President.
The top court, however, had said Kalyan Singh, who is currently the Governor of Rajasthan and during whose tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh the disputed structure was razed, is entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held a gubernatorial position.
The apex court had come down heavily on the CBI for a delay of 25 years in the trial and said, "The accused persons have not been brought to book largely because of the conduct of the CBI in not pursuing the prosecution of the aforesaid alleged offenders in a joint trial, and because of technical defects which were easily curable, but which were not cured by the State Government."
Issuing a slew of directions, a bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and R F Nariman had said, "The proceedings viz. Crime No. 198/92 (against Advani and five others) in the court of the Special Judicial Magistrate at Rae Bareilly will stand transferred to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge (Ayodhya Matters) at Lucknow."
Besides Advani, Joshi and Bharti, the accused against whom the conspiracy charge would now be invoked, are Vinay Katiar, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Vishnu Hari Dalmia, who were being tried at Rae Bareilly.
Haryana Villages To Get Grants On Star Ratings
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More than 6,800 villages in Haryana will henceforth get star ratings - and consequently, the government grants - on the basis of developmental works done there, initiatives taken on the social front and other parameters, official sources said on Sunday.
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Om Prakash Dhankar said urbanisation of five villages in each of the 90 assembly constituencies in the state will be carried out under the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Scheme.
The government plans to give a grant of Rs. 2.5 crore to each Panchayat (village council) for developmental works, an official spokesman said.
"A grant of Rs. 10 crore will be given to each Zila Parishad (district council). Funds up to Rs. 3 lakh will be given to each Panchayat for recurring expenses," the spokesman said.
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Om Prakash Dhankar said urbanisation of five villages in each of the 90 assembly constituencies in the state will be carried out under the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Scheme.
The government plans to give a grant of Rs. 2.5 crore to each Panchayat (village council) for developmental works, an official spokesman said.
"A grant of Rs. 10 crore will be given to each Zila Parishad (district council). Funds up to Rs. 3 lakh will be given to each Panchayat for recurring expenses," the spokesman said.
Business Affairs
Theme park visit to attract 28% GST, animal slaughtering, vet clinics exempt
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Animal slaughtering and services provided by veterinary clinics will be exempt from GST while visits to theme parks and sporting events like IPL will attract a levy of 28 per cent under the new indirect tax regime kicking in from July 1.
Besides, supply of foods or drinks in outdoor catering, circus shows, classical dances, including folk dance, drama and theatrical performances, will attract a 18 per cent tax rate under GST.
The GST Council over the two-day meeting on May 18-19 has decided to retain majority of the exemptions currently available in the service tax regime in the GST.
As per the list of services which will be subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), services provided by tour operators and leasing of aircraft will attract a 5 per cent levy. While economy class travel in airplane is likely to get cheaper with 5 per cent tax, a similar lower levy has been decided for transport of passengers by air embarking from or terminating in a regional connectivity scheme airport.
Temporary transfer or permitting use of intellectual property (IP) will attract 12 per cent GST-- the same rate as in respect of permanent transfer of IP.
These include education, healthcare, services provided by way of religious pilgrimages, charitable activities, those provided by the RBI and diplomatic missions situated in India.
Services provided by toll operators and transmission and distribution of electricity and residential house renting would be exempt from the GST. The exempt services will also include animal slaughtering, banks giving loans or deposits and those provided by the veterinary clinics.
A senior advocate giving legal services to any person other than a business entity, or a business entity with a turnover of up to Rs 20 lakh in the preceding financing year will be exempt from goods and services tax.
Services+ of public libraries by way of lending of books, publications and retail packaging and labelling of fruits and vegetables which do not alter the characteristics of the fruit or vegetables are exempt.
The Council has also decided to exempt from the purview of GST the company Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) set up to build the IT network for the new indirect tax regime.
As per the list, non-AC restaurants will charge 12 per cent GST on food bill. The tax rate for AC restaurants and those with liquor licence will be 18 per cent, while 5-star hotels will charge 28 per cent GST. Restaurants with Rs 50 lakh or below turnover will go under the 5 per cent composition scheme. Hotels and lodges charging per day tariff of Rs 1,000 will be exempt from GST. Rate for hotels with tariff of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per day would be 12 per cent, while those with Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 would be 18 per cent. GST for hotels with tariff above Rs 5,000 will be 28 per cent.
Work contracts like white washing will be liable for a 12 per cent GST.
Entertainment tax will be merged with service tax under the GST and a composite 28 per cent levy will be charged on cinema services as well as gambling and betting at race course. While the rate proposed for cinema halls is lower than 40 to 55 per cent currently, it may not result in a reduction in tariffs on cinema tickets as states continue to hold right to levy local charges on them.
Non AC train travel, including in local trains and metro, has been exempt from GST, while AC train travel will attract 5 per cent service tax, same as freight levy. Five per cent rate will also apply on rides taken from cab aggregators like Ola and Uber, which currently pay 6 per cent tax.
Telecom and financial services will be taxed at a standard rate of 18 per cent under GST.
But tax department estimates that the tax incidence on this will be unchanged at 15 per cent after the input credit is taken on equipment by the service providers.
The GST Council finalised four tax rates of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent for services including telecom, insurance, hotels and restaurants under the biggest tax reform since the Independence. The rates are in line with those finalised for goods. With this, rates of all items except a handful including gold, have been decided ahead of the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1.
Animal slaughtering and services provided by veterinary clinics will be exempt from GST while visits to theme parks and sporting events like IPL will attract a levy of 28 per cent under the new indirect tax regime kicking in from July 1.
Besides, supply of foods or drinks in outdoor catering, circus shows, classical dances, including folk dance, drama and theatrical performances, will attract a 18 per cent tax rate under GST.
The GST Council over the two-day meeting on May 18-19 has decided to retain majority of the exemptions currently available in the service tax regime in the GST.
As per the list of services which will be subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), services provided by tour operators and leasing of aircraft will attract a 5 per cent levy. While economy class travel in airplane is likely to get cheaper with 5 per cent tax, a similar lower levy has been decided for transport of passengers by air embarking from or terminating in a regional connectivity scheme airport.
Temporary transfer or permitting use of intellectual property (IP) will attract 12 per cent GST-- the same rate as in respect of permanent transfer of IP.
These include education, healthcare, services provided by way of religious pilgrimages, charitable activities, those provided by the RBI and diplomatic missions situated in India.
Services provided by toll operators and transmission and distribution of electricity and residential house renting would be exempt from the GST. The exempt services will also include animal slaughtering, banks giving loans or deposits and those provided by the veterinary clinics.
A senior advocate giving legal services to any person other than a business entity, or a business entity with a turnover of up to Rs 20 lakh in the preceding financing year will be exempt from goods and services tax.
Services+ of public libraries by way of lending of books, publications and retail packaging and labelling of fruits and vegetables which do not alter the characteristics of the fruit or vegetables are exempt.
The Council has also decided to exempt from the purview of GST the company Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) set up to build the IT network for the new indirect tax regime.
As per the list, non-AC restaurants will charge 12 per cent GST on food bill. The tax rate for AC restaurants and those with liquor licence will be 18 per cent, while 5-star hotels will charge 28 per cent GST. Restaurants with Rs 50 lakh or below turnover will go under the 5 per cent composition scheme. Hotels and lodges charging per day tariff of Rs 1,000 will be exempt from GST. Rate for hotels with tariff of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per day would be 12 per cent, while those with Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 would be 18 per cent. GST for hotels with tariff above Rs 5,000 will be 28 per cent.
Work contracts like white washing will be liable for a 12 per cent GST.
Entertainment tax will be merged with service tax under the GST and a composite 28 per cent levy will be charged on cinema services as well as gambling and betting at race course. While the rate proposed for cinema halls is lower than 40 to 55 per cent currently, it may not result in a reduction in tariffs on cinema tickets as states continue to hold right to levy local charges on them.
Non AC train travel, including in local trains and metro, has been exempt from GST, while AC train travel will attract 5 per cent service tax, same as freight levy. Five per cent rate will also apply on rides taken from cab aggregators like Ola and Uber, which currently pay 6 per cent tax.
Telecom and financial services will be taxed at a standard rate of 18 per cent under GST.
But tax department estimates that the tax incidence on this will be unchanged at 15 per cent after the input credit is taken on equipment by the service providers.
The GST Council finalised four tax rates of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent for services including telecom, insurance, hotels and restaurants under the biggest tax reform since the Independence. The rates are in line with those finalised for goods. With this, rates of all items except a handful including gold, have been decided ahead of the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1.
Urjit Patel to brief Par panel on demonetisation on June 8
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RBI Governor Urjit Patel's appearance before a parliamentary panel for a second briefing on demonetisation has been put off from May 25 to June 8, as work on framing the monetary policy would be underway at that time.
The Standing Committee on Finance, which had questioned Patel on January 18 on the move to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes, allowed him to appear at the later date after he issued a request expressing his inability.
Patel had been asked to appear on May 25 after former prime minister Manmohan Singh prevailed over the BJP MPs in the panel, who were opposed to summoning the RBI governor again.
Incidentally, it was Singh who had rescued Patel from a tough grilling during the January meeting when he intervened to say that the central bank and the governors position as an institution should be respected.
He should not be put to odd questions, Singh, who himself was RBI governor once, is believed to have told the Committee.
"Patel was supposed to come on May 25 but it was postponed following his request expressing his unavailability on the day due to the monetary policy which is scheduled for June 6-7," a member said.
Instead of Patel, all secretaries from Finance Ministry will be present on May 25 to update the panel, which is chaired by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, about digital economy, he said.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who is a member of the panel, has suggested to the chairman that it should now deliberate on digital economy, as "demonetisation was not an issue any more".
In January, the panel had summoned top finance ministry and RBI officials to discuss the demonetisation process and its impact.
As the members could not complete their questions, the committee had decided to call the RBI governor and ministry officials again on a later date, after the Budget session.
Sources privy to developments said the members in the panel are now likely to question Patel on how much money has come back into the system.
RBI Governor Urjit Patel's appearance before a parliamentary panel for a second briefing on demonetisation has been put off from May 25 to June 8, as work on framing the monetary policy would be underway at that time.
The Standing Committee on Finance, which had questioned Patel on January 18 on the move to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes, allowed him to appear at the later date after he issued a request expressing his inability.
Patel had been asked to appear on May 25 after former prime minister Manmohan Singh prevailed over the BJP MPs in the panel, who were opposed to summoning the RBI governor again.
Incidentally, it was Singh who had rescued Patel from a tough grilling during the January meeting when he intervened to say that the central bank and the governors position as an institution should be respected.
He should not be put to odd questions, Singh, who himself was RBI governor once, is believed to have told the Committee.
"Patel was supposed to come on May 25 but it was postponed following his request expressing his unavailability on the day due to the monetary policy which is scheduled for June 6-7," a member said.
Instead of Patel, all secretaries from Finance Ministry will be present on May 25 to update the panel, which is chaired by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, about digital economy, he said.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who is a member of the panel, has suggested to the chairman that it should now deliberate on digital economy, as "demonetisation was not an issue any more".
In January, the panel had summoned top finance ministry and RBI officials to discuss the demonetisation process and its impact.
As the members could not complete their questions, the committee had decided to call the RBI governor and ministry officials again on a later date, after the Budget session.
Sources privy to developments said the members in the panel are now likely to question Patel on how much money has come back into the system.
Nasscom steps up US lobbying on immigration, visa issues
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Facing rough weather amid large-scale layoffs and visa curbs in the US, the Indian IT industry body Nasscom has stepped up its lobbying with the American lawmakers significantly with an over one-third increase in money spent on such activities.
According to the latest lobbying disclosure reports filed with the US Senate, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) paid a total amount of $1,50,000 (nearly Rs 1 crore) to its two registered lobbyists in the first quarter of 2017.
This marks a significant rise from $1,10,000 paid to the two lobbyists in the previous quarter ended December 2016. The amount was same for each of the four quarter of 2016.
Among the two lobbyists, The Lande Group was paid $50,000 in January-March quarter of 2017 -- the same as the money paid in each of the four quarters of 2016.
However, the other lobbyist, Wexler & Walker, a unit of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, LLC, was paid $100,000 in the first quarter of 2017, as against $60,000 in the previous three-month period and in many of the previous quarters.
As per the lobbying disclosure report, the "specific lobbying issues" undertaken by this lobbyist included those related to immigration. The "general issues" included tax and trade matters.
The houses of Congress and federal agencies with whom it lobbied on behalf of Nasscom, which itself acts as a lobby group for the USD 150 billion Indian IT industry, included the US Senate and the US House of Representatives.
On the other hand, Lande Group covered a larger number of "specific lobbying issues", including with several federal agencies, as per its first-quarter disclosure report.
These included "high skill immigration, green cards, visa processing, US-India relations, US-India matters, tax reform, (and) border adjustment tax".
In addition to the Senate and the House of Representatives, The Lande Group also did lobbying with the White House Office, the US Trade Representative, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the departments of state, commerce and homeland security.
Nasscom took a delegation of the Indian IT industry earlier this year to the US to engage with members of the Trump administration on issues like clampdown on work visas and flow of skilled manpower between the two nations.
During the visit, Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar had said the debate in the US over H-1B visas has become a political and emotive issue as there is a "yawning gap" between the facts and perception and the Indian IT firms contribute immensely to the US economy and jobs creation.
He met several influential American lawmakers, opinion builders, members of the think-tank community and government officials to discuss H-1B visa issues, among other matters.
The visit of the Nasscom delegation came in the wake of the ongoing debate in the US and moves to curtail the use of H-1B visas, widely used by Indian IT majors.
The US recently also accused top Indian IT firms TCS and Infosys of "unfairly" cornering the lion's share of the H-1B work visas by putting extra tickets in the lottery system, a charge vehemently countered by Nasscom.
Close on the heels of this accusation, Infosys went on to announce plans to hire 10,000 Americans, though this move was described by some as an act to appease US President Donald Trump's administration which has tightened the rules of H-1B visa programme to stop its 'abuse'.
Nasscom's lobbying expenses rising
An analysis of the lobbying disclosure reports filed for Nasscom shows that the Indian software industry body paid USD 440,000 to the two registered lobbying firms in 2016.
The Lande Group has been lobbying on behalf of Nasscom since third quarter of 2010, while Wexler & Walker registered itself as a lobbyist for the industry body in October 2015.
Previously, Hill and Knowlton had registered itself as a lobbyist for Nasscom way back in February 2003 but that association got terminated in first quarter of 2008.
Since the beginning, the lobbying issues for Nasscom have included "immigration and technology issues of interest to the Indian software industry".
The total lobbying expenses for Nasscom in the year 2015 was USD 270,000, while it was even lower at $140,000 in 2014 and $150,000 in 2013.
The amounts were $115,000 in 2012, $75,000 in 2011 and just $40,000 in 2010. The lobbying expenses for Nasscom stood at $60,000 in 2006, $100,000 in 2005, $180,000 in 2004 and at $200,000 in 2003
Facing rough weather amid large-scale layoffs and visa curbs in the US, the Indian IT industry body Nasscom has stepped up its lobbying with the American lawmakers significantly with an over one-third increase in money spent on such activities.
According to the latest lobbying disclosure reports filed with the US Senate, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) paid a total amount of $1,50,000 (nearly Rs 1 crore) to its two registered lobbyists in the first quarter of 2017.
This marks a significant rise from $1,10,000 paid to the two lobbyists in the previous quarter ended December 2016. The amount was same for each of the four quarter of 2016.
Among the two lobbyists, The Lande Group was paid $50,000 in January-March quarter of 2017 -- the same as the money paid in each of the four quarters of 2016.
However, the other lobbyist, Wexler & Walker, a unit of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, LLC, was paid $100,000 in the first quarter of 2017, as against $60,000 in the previous three-month period and in many of the previous quarters.
As per the lobbying disclosure report, the "specific lobbying issues" undertaken by this lobbyist included those related to immigration. The "general issues" included tax and trade matters.
The houses of Congress and federal agencies with whom it lobbied on behalf of Nasscom, which itself acts as a lobby group for the USD 150 billion Indian IT industry, included the US Senate and the US House of Representatives.
On the other hand, Lande Group covered a larger number of "specific lobbying issues", including with several federal agencies, as per its first-quarter disclosure report.
These included "high skill immigration, green cards, visa processing, US-India relations, US-India matters, tax reform, (and) border adjustment tax".
In addition to the Senate and the House of Representatives, The Lande Group also did lobbying with the White House Office, the US Trade Representative, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the departments of state, commerce and homeland security.
Nasscom took a delegation of the Indian IT industry earlier this year to the US to engage with members of the Trump administration on issues like clampdown on work visas and flow of skilled manpower between the two nations.
During the visit, Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar had said the debate in the US over H-1B visas has become a political and emotive issue as there is a "yawning gap" between the facts and perception and the Indian IT firms contribute immensely to the US economy and jobs creation.
He met several influential American lawmakers, opinion builders, members of the think-tank community and government officials to discuss H-1B visa issues, among other matters.
The visit of the Nasscom delegation came in the wake of the ongoing debate in the US and moves to curtail the use of H-1B visas, widely used by Indian IT majors.
The US recently also accused top Indian IT firms TCS and Infosys of "unfairly" cornering the lion's share of the H-1B work visas by putting extra tickets in the lottery system, a charge vehemently countered by Nasscom.
Close on the heels of this accusation, Infosys went on to announce plans to hire 10,000 Americans, though this move was described by some as an act to appease US President Donald Trump's administration which has tightened the rules of H-1B visa programme to stop its 'abuse'.
Nasscom's lobbying expenses rising
An analysis of the lobbying disclosure reports filed for Nasscom shows that the Indian software industry body paid USD 440,000 to the two registered lobbying firms in 2016.
The Lande Group has been lobbying on behalf of Nasscom since third quarter of 2010, while Wexler & Walker registered itself as a lobbyist for the industry body in October 2015.
Previously, Hill and Knowlton had registered itself as a lobbyist for Nasscom way back in February 2003 but that association got terminated in first quarter of 2008.
Since the beginning, the lobbying issues for Nasscom have included "immigration and technology issues of interest to the Indian software industry".
The total lobbying expenses for Nasscom in the year 2015 was USD 270,000, while it was even lower at $140,000 in 2014 and $150,000 in 2013.
The amounts were $115,000 in 2012, $75,000 in 2011 and just $40,000 in 2010. The lobbying expenses for Nasscom stood at $60,000 in 2006, $100,000 in 2005, $180,000 in 2004 and at $200,000 in 2003
Tax rates under GST: What's the impact on flight, taxi, movie, medicine, cigarette prices
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Month-long process of crafting India's new tax structure finally ended on Friday with the central and state governments finalising four tax rates of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent for the upcoming GST regime .
The GST Council decided to tax some of the services like hotels and restaurant based on their room tariff and turnover of business. Under the new tax structure, non-AC restaurants will charge 12 per cent GST on food bill. Tax rate for AC restaurants and those with liquor licence will be 18 per cent, while 5-star hotels will charge 28 per cent GST.
Hotels would be taxed on the basis of their room tariff. The Council said that there won't be any tax for the hotels who charge Rs 1,000 for a day. Tax rate for hotels with tariff of Rs 1,000 to 2,000 per day would be 12 per cent while those with tariff of Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 would be 18 per cent. GST for hotels with tariff above Rs 5,000 will be 28 per cent.
There may be some reasoning behind this new tax formulations, but tax consultants feel that life will get more, not less, complicated for many after the GST is effective. Speaking to the Reuters, Deloitte Haskins Senior Director Saloni Roy said: "For service providers, it is going to get troublesome."
Here's how new tax rates will apply on various services:
Transport service: Cab rides could get marginally cheaper for customers from July 1 as the incidence of tax will come down to five per cent for bookings made on cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. Currently, a tax of six per cent is levied on rides booked through cab aggregators. "The GST rate on cab aggregators is proposed to be at 5 per cent as compared to the current abated service tax rate of 6 per cent. This is the rate closest in the various bands of GST rates of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent," Roy said.
Air Travel: Under the new taxation system, economy class air travel will attract 5 per cent tax while business class will be charged 12 cent GST.
Healthcare services: There won't be any tax on healthcare and education under the new taxation system.
Telecom services: The GST Council decided to tax the telecom and financial services at a standard rate of 18 per cent. With this, the Telecom services are set to become costlier under the new tax regime. Currently, telecom consumers are charged 15 per cent in form of tax and cess over their phone bills. Telecom players expressed disappointment with the rate saying telecom services will become expensive for consumers and impact the government project like digital India and digital payments.
Entertainment: Under the GST, entertainment tax will be merged with service tax and a composite 28 per cent tax rate will apply on cinema services as well as gambling or betting at race course. While the rate proposed for cinema halls is lower than 40 to 55 per cent as per current incidence, it may not result in a reduction in tariffs on cinema tickets as states continue to hold right to levy local charges on them.
Automobiles: Motorcycles of more than 350 cc engine capacity will attract a total of 31 per cent tax under the GST regime, same as the tax incidence on private aircraft and luxury yachts. All cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles including moped as well as personal aircraft and luxury yachts will attract a peak Goods and Services Tax of 28 per cent.
Tobacco products: Filter and non-filter cigarettes not exceeding 65 mm will attract cess of 5 per cent plus Rs 1,591 per 1000 sticks. For cigars, a hefty levy of 21 per cent or Rs 4,170 per 1000 sticks, whichever is higher, would be levied. Branded gutkha will be slapped with a cess of 72 per cent, while smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes will attract a levy 290 per cent.
Luxury items: On gold, states demanded a 4 per cent tax even though the rate is not among the 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent approved bands. The GST Council agreed to impose cess on luxury goods over and above the peak tax rate of 28 per cent.
Month-long process of crafting India's new tax structure finally ended on Friday with the central and state governments finalising four tax rates of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent for the upcoming GST regime .
The GST Council decided to tax some of the services like hotels and restaurant based on their room tariff and turnover of business. Under the new tax structure, non-AC restaurants will charge 12 per cent GST on food bill. Tax rate for AC restaurants and those with liquor licence will be 18 per cent, while 5-star hotels will charge 28 per cent GST.
The GST Council decided to tax some of the services like hotels and restaurant based on their room tariff and turnover of business. Under the new tax structure, non-AC restaurants will charge 12 per cent GST on food bill. Tax rate for AC restaurants and those with liquor licence will be 18 per cent, while 5-star hotels will charge 28 per cent GST.
Hotels would be taxed on the basis of their room tariff. The Council said that there won't be any tax for the hotels who charge Rs 1,000 for a day. Tax rate for hotels with tariff of Rs 1,000 to 2,000 per day would be 12 per cent while those with tariff of Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 would be 18 per cent. GST for hotels with tariff above Rs 5,000 will be 28 per cent.
There may be some reasoning behind this new tax formulations, but tax consultants feel that life will get more, not less, complicated for many after the GST is effective. Speaking to the Reuters, Deloitte Haskins Senior Director Saloni Roy said: "For service providers, it is going to get troublesome."
Here's how new tax rates will apply on various services:
Transport service: Cab rides could get marginally cheaper for customers from July 1 as the incidence of tax will come down to five per cent for bookings made on cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. Currently, a tax of six per cent is levied on rides booked through cab aggregators. "The GST rate on cab aggregators is proposed to be at 5 per cent as compared to the current abated service tax rate of 6 per cent. This is the rate closest in the various bands of GST rates of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent," Roy said.
Air Travel: Under the new taxation system, economy class air travel will attract 5 per cent tax while business class will be charged 12 cent GST.
There may be some reasoning behind this new tax formulations, but tax consultants feel that life will get more, not less, complicated for many after the GST is effective. Speaking to the Reuters, Deloitte Haskins Senior Director Saloni Roy said: "For service providers, it is going to get troublesome."
Here's how new tax rates will apply on various services:
Transport service: Cab rides could get marginally cheaper for customers from July 1 as the incidence of tax will come down to five per cent for bookings made on cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. Currently, a tax of six per cent is levied on rides booked through cab aggregators. "The GST rate on cab aggregators is proposed to be at 5 per cent as compared to the current abated service tax rate of 6 per cent. This is the rate closest in the various bands of GST rates of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent," Roy said.
Air Travel: Under the new taxation system, economy class air travel will attract 5 per cent tax while business class will be charged 12 cent GST.
Healthcare services: There won't be any tax on healthcare and education under the new taxation system.
Telecom services: The GST Council decided to tax the telecom and financial services at a standard rate of 18 per cent. With this, the Telecom services are set to become costlier under the new tax regime. Currently, telecom consumers are charged 15 per cent in form of tax and cess over their phone bills. Telecom players expressed disappointment with the rate saying telecom services will become expensive for consumers and impact the government project like digital India and digital payments.
Entertainment: Under the GST, entertainment tax will be merged with service tax and a composite 28 per cent tax rate will apply on cinema services as well as gambling or betting at race course. While the rate proposed for cinema halls is lower than 40 to 55 per cent as per current incidence, it may not result in a reduction in tariffs on cinema tickets as states continue to hold right to levy local charges on them.
Automobiles: Motorcycles of more than 350 cc engine capacity will attract a total of 31 per cent tax under the GST regime, same as the tax incidence on private aircraft and luxury yachts. All cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles including moped as well as personal aircraft and luxury yachts will attract a peak Goods and Services Tax of 28 per cent.
Tobacco products: Filter and non-filter cigarettes not exceeding 65 mm will attract cess of 5 per cent plus Rs 1,591 per 1000 sticks. For cigars, a hefty levy of 21 per cent or Rs 4,170 per 1000 sticks, whichever is higher, would be levied. Branded gutkha will be slapped with a cess of 72 per cent, while smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes will attract a levy 290 per cent.
Luxury items: On gold, states demanded a 4 per cent tax even though the rate is not among the 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent approved bands. The GST Council agreed to impose cess on luxury goods over and above the peak tax rate of 28 per cent.
Telecom services: The GST Council decided to tax the telecom and financial services at a standard rate of 18 per cent. With this, the Telecom services are set to become costlier under the new tax regime. Currently, telecom consumers are charged 15 per cent in form of tax and cess over their phone bills. Telecom players expressed disappointment with the rate saying telecom services will become expensive for consumers and impact the government project like digital India and digital payments.
Entertainment: Under the GST, entertainment tax will be merged with service tax and a composite 28 per cent tax rate will apply on cinema services as well as gambling or betting at race course. While the rate proposed for cinema halls is lower than 40 to 55 per cent as per current incidence, it may not result in a reduction in tariffs on cinema tickets as states continue to hold right to levy local charges on them.
Automobiles: Motorcycles of more than 350 cc engine capacity will attract a total of 31 per cent tax under the GST regime, same as the tax incidence on private aircraft and luxury yachts. All cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles including moped as well as personal aircraft and luxury yachts will attract a peak Goods and Services Tax of 28 per cent.
Tobacco products: Filter and non-filter cigarettes not exceeding 65 mm will attract cess of 5 per cent plus Rs 1,591 per 1000 sticks. For cigars, a hefty levy of 21 per cent or Rs 4,170 per 1000 sticks, whichever is higher, would be levied. Branded gutkha will be slapped with a cess of 72 per cent, while smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes will attract a levy 290 per cent.
Luxury items: On gold, states demanded a 4 per cent tax even though the rate is not among the 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent approved bands. The GST Council agreed to impose cess on luxury goods over and above the peak tax rate of 28 per cent.
Apple selling 'Made in India' iPhones on trial basis
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The US-based technology major Apple has started selling iPhones at select stores in the country that were assembled in India as part of its trial run.
"Apple is selling iPhone SE in India at select stores. These phones were assembled in India on trial basis in limited quantities," an industry source told PTI. Apple did not comment on the development.
The technology major a couple of days back had said that it was "beginning initial production of a small number of iPhone SE in Bengaluru".
"The high-end India-made iPhones (iPhone SE) have already hit the Indian market. These have been on sale from May 2 onwards," another source said.
A picture shared by the source showed details of the iPhone SE with 32GB storage capacity with 'Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in India' printed on the box. The picture showed the price of Rs 27,200 inclusive of all taxes on the box.
The source also said the Cupertino-based maker of iPhones and iPads had completed the manufacturing of iPhones SEs in Bengaluru in April. The units are assembled by Apple's Taiwanese manufacturing partner Wistron Corp.
Earlier, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge had told PTI that the making of iPhones in India would help Apple lower prices and gain a foothold in the Indian market. He had also expressed hope that it would bring in much needed taxes to the state as well.
Apple wants to bring its component manufacturers to India to make parts and export finished phones and is seeking tax concessions on import of key components. However, the central government has rejected most of the demands of the US company.
Kharge also had said if the Centre was keen on taking on China, it should not give special treatment to Apple alone, but to other players like Samsung and Lenovo also if they are desirous of opening manufacturing units in India.
Kharge had said the government should also give companies, including Apple, certain timelines, subsidies and incentives to create a level-playing field.
The US-based technology major Apple has started selling iPhones at select stores in the country that were assembled in India as part of its trial run.
"Apple is selling iPhone SE in India at select stores. These phones were assembled in India on trial basis in limited quantities," an industry source told PTI. Apple did not comment on the development.
The technology major a couple of days back had said that it was "beginning initial production of a small number of iPhone SE in Bengaluru".
"The high-end India-made iPhones (iPhone SE) have already hit the Indian market. These have been on sale from May 2 onwards," another source said.
A picture shared by the source showed details of the iPhone SE with 32GB storage capacity with 'Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in India' printed on the box. The picture showed the price of Rs 27,200 inclusive of all taxes on the box.
The source also said the Cupertino-based maker of iPhones and iPads had completed the manufacturing of iPhones SEs in Bengaluru in April. The units are assembled by Apple's Taiwanese manufacturing partner Wistron Corp.
Earlier, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge had told PTI that the making of iPhones in India would help Apple lower prices and gain a foothold in the Indian market. He had also expressed hope that it would bring in much needed taxes to the state as well.
Apple wants to bring its component manufacturers to India to make parts and export finished phones and is seeking tax concessions on import of key components. However, the central government has rejected most of the demands of the US company.
Kharge also had said if the Centre was keen on taking on China, it should not give special treatment to Apple alone, but to other players like Samsung and Lenovo also if they are desirous of opening manufacturing units in India.
Kharge had said the government should also give companies, including Apple, certain timelines, subsidies and incentives to create a level-playing field.
General Awareness
Commissioning a Study on Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism for Solar Power Generation Projects in Solar Resource Rich Countries Under Aegis of ISA
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India and other solar rich countries including Argentina, Burkina-Faso, Chad, France, Ivory Coast, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sénégal, Uganda and Yemen have jointly supported commissioning of a study to define and structure a Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM) for solar power generation projects in solar rich countries.
Background Information:
Currently, cost of capital, accounts for major portion of the final cost of renewable energy, in particular solar PV. As per a calculation by Council on Energy, Environment and Water, cost of capital accounts for 70% of the total cost of solar power in India.
Objectives of Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM):
The proposed CRMM will facilitate in creating a secure environment for private institutional investment in solar assets. It will help to diversify and pool risks on mutualized public resources and unlock significant investments.
Task Force for study to define and structure a Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM):
The study was entrusted by the Interim Secretariat of International Solar Alliance to a task force comprising Terrawatt Initiative (TWI), the World Bank Group, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the Currency Exchange Fund (TCX) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
- The task force will seek inputs from public and private stakeholders and partners through consultation.
- Each participating country may appoint a qualified representative to liaise with the task force and convey information regarding respective country’s specific expectations, experience and needs.
About International Solar Alliance (ISA):
The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of countries which are located completely or partly between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
- It was jointly launched by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the then President of France Francois Hollande in November 2015 in Paris, on the side lines of COP21.
- Under the ISA, solar rich countries share and aggregate data regarding their needs and objectives; emulate successful practices; and set up common mechanisms and instruments, in order to address obstacles to deployment at scale of solar energy.
- In January 2016, PM Narendra Modi, and the then French President François Hollande jointly laid the foundation stone of the ISA Headquarters and inaugurated the interim Secretariat of the ISA at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram, Haryana, India
India and other solar rich countries including Argentina, Burkina-Faso, Chad, France, Ivory Coast, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sénégal, Uganda and Yemen have jointly supported commissioning of a study to define and structure a Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM) for solar power generation projects in solar rich countries.
Background Information:
Currently, cost of capital, accounts for major portion of the final cost of renewable energy, in particular solar PV. As per a calculation by Council on Energy, Environment and Water, cost of capital accounts for 70% of the total cost of solar power in India.
Objectives of Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM):
The proposed CRMM will facilitate in creating a secure environment for private institutional investment in solar assets. It will help to diversify and pool risks on mutualized public resources and unlock significant investments.
Task Force for study to define and structure a Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM):
The study was entrusted by the Interim Secretariat of International Solar Alliance to a task force comprising Terrawatt Initiative (TWI), the World Bank Group, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the Currency Exchange Fund (TCX) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
- The task force will seek inputs from public and private stakeholders and partners through consultation.
- Each participating country may appoint a qualified representative to liaise with the task force and convey information regarding respective country’s specific expectations, experience and needs.
About International Solar Alliance (ISA):
The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of countries which are located completely or partly between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
- It was jointly launched by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the then President of France Francois Hollande in November 2015 in Paris, on the side lines of COP21.
- Under the ISA, solar rich countries share and aggregate data regarding their needs and objectives; emulate successful practices; and set up common mechanisms and instruments, in order to address obstacles to deployment at scale of solar energy.
- In January 2016, PM Narendra Modi, and the then French President François Hollande jointly laid the foundation stone of the ISA Headquarters and inaugurated the interim Secretariat of the ISA at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram, Haryana, India
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