Akshay donates Rs 25,000 each to 103 families of cops, army officials on the occasion of Diwali – PTI

The actor contributed over Rs 25 lakh for an initiative by a senior IPS officer for families of policemen and army personnel in Maharashtra.

Akshay Kumar.

Mumbai: The Diwali festival has become merrier for families of 103 slain policemen and army personnel in Maharashtra, courtesy an initiative by a senior IPS officer and actor Akshar Kumar, with the latter contributing over Rs 25 lakh for the cause.

"We made a list of martyr policemen and military/paramilitary personnel belonging to Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Pune rural and Solapur rural region. When Akshay Kumar got to know of this initiative, he also decided to join," Kolhapur range IGP Vishwas Nangre Patil said.

"Akshay Kumar sent a cheque of Rs 25,000 and a signed letter to each of the families, which we delivered," the senior IPS officer told PTI.

"Akshay recently sent me a photograph of a small girl weeping beside the coffin of her father. When I broached the subject of helping the slain policemen's families, the actor promptly decided to chip in," Nangre Patil said.

"We are happy that our initiative has made the Diwali of the martyrs' families sweeter," he said.

In the letter, Akshay Kumar has lauded the sacrifice made by the martyrs for the country.

"I am aware that you must be recalling their lovely memories during Diwali. The tragedy that has befallen your family is immense and I pray to god that you overcome this tragedy with fortitude and usher in the new year," the actor wrote.

"I wish to offer sweets and a small gift for the children to buy books. I request you to accept them," Akshay Kumar wrote.

 

Now, Aadhaar is mandatory to for retired defence personnel to get pension

New Delhi, Mar 8: All defence pensioners and dependent family members of deceased personnel will be required to enroll for Aadhaar card by June 30 to receive pension. The Defence Ministry has issued a notification making Aadhaar mandatory for receiving pension by the beneficiaries numbering around 25 lakh.

The government has been steadily making Aadhaar mandatory for a series of financial benefits and other services, saying it is doing so to ensure transparency. 'Any eligible beneficiary entitled to receive pension benefits, who does not possess the Aadhaar number or, not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, but desirous of availing pension benefits is hereby required to make application for Aadhaar enrolment by June 30,' the notification said.

It said Defence Ministry through pension disbursement agencies or other means which requires an individual to furnish Aadhaar is required to offer Aadhaar enrolment facilities for the beneficiaries who are not yet enrolled for it.

The order further said the Ministry of Defence through pension disbursement agencies will be required to provide Aadhaar enrolment facilities in places where such facilities are not available. It said till the Aadhaar is assigned, the beneficiaries shall be given pension subject to production ex-servicemen card issued by the concerned authorities and his or her Aadhaar Enrolment ID slip (if she or he has enrolled).

A copy of his or her request made for Aadhaar enrolment can also be submitted along with a copy of Voter ID card or PAN Card or Passport etc. The notification said Defence Ministry through pension disbursement agencies will make adequate arrangements to provide convenient and hassle free pension benefits to the beneficiaries.

'Wide publicity through media and individual notices shall be given to beneficiaries of pension benefits to make them aware of the requirement of Aadhaar under the scheme and they may be advised to get themselves enrolled at the nearest Aadhaar enrolment centres available in their areas by June 30 2017,' it said.

PTI

source: oneindia.com

Commerce Ministry for exempting exports from GST

New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Ministry today pressed the GST Council to keep exports out of the GST framework and levy lower taxes on labour-intensive sectors like leather, cement and plantation.

Minister of State for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman.

In their contention before the all powerful GST Council, the ministry officials argued the need for granting an "ab-initio" exemption from Goods and Services Tax (GST) for exporters saying that the process of seeking tax refunds erodes their working capital.

Moreover, they stated that in view of tough global situation it is imperative to encourage exports.

Briefing reporters, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said refund of taxes takes about six to eight months and hence it is necessary to "give an ab-intio exemption".

She asked the council to treat exporters in such a way that they do not have to pay taxes upfront.

"...It (GST) should not become a newer liability in the heads of exporter...We do not want the exporter to suffer twice," she said.

She also underlined the need for encouraging labour intensive sectors like cement, leather and plantation crops and suggested that either they should be completely exempted from the new tax or be taxed at a low rate.

For leather industry, she said, "We wanted to ensure that if they can be given a complete exclusion from taxation because they have to generate lot of employment".

"If at all, you have to have a taxation, keep them at the lowest possible, which means five per cent or less than that. So that is the strong pitch we made. India has a great potential in this particular sector," she added.

On cement, she said that taxation at the moment in this sector is "very very high".

"If you calculate the central excise, VAT and other, the calculation is somewhere between 25 to 30 per cent...Cement may end up 18 per cent or more in GST regime which means it will be well above the revenue neutral rate," she said.

"So if the government is looking at (schemes like) housing for all, public spending on infrastructure, building of highways, roads, seaports, you cannot have cement being taxed so much," the minister said.

About the plantation, she said, "Ideally we would like to completely keep out (this sector). But for instance, if there is a thought, they keep it in, it should be in the lowest possible (slab) because most of it get exported".

Sectors like tea and coffee, 90 per cent of the product is exported by India and it is net foreign exchange earner and the sector "should be given all the support rather than tax it".

Talking about SEZs, she said transfer of goods from one zone to another in different states should be exempted from iGST.

PTI

7th Pay Commission – SBI Releases arrears for Veterans

Public sector bank State Bank of India (SBI) said that it has released Rs 3,323.24 crore in arrears to defence pensioners as part of the 7th Pay Commission on Friday. The bank released the amount to about 9.94 lakh pensioners, Rajnish Kumar, managing director (national banking group), said in a statement. Last month, the bank released about Rs 4,003 crore worth in arrears to 4.60 lakh retired services pensioners.

The bank serves to the largest share of central government pensioners across the country and to about 50 percent of total defence pensioners. This means that so far, roughly Rs 7,300 crore worth in arrears has been released to defence pensioners till now. In October, the defence ministry had said that it had deferred the representation of the armed forces for a percentage-based system rather than a slab-based system for determining disability pension to the Anomaly Committee of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The move followed criticism from the opposition parties and the defence forces over a letter issued on September 30, which had stated that a slab-based system will replace the percentage method of calculating the pension for the disability pension for the Army, Navy and the Air Force personnel.

“Service Headquarters have represented that the percentage based system should be continued under the 7th pay commission for calculating disability pension for Defence Services at par with their Civilian counterparts. The Ministry has referred the representation of the Service Headquarters to the Anomaly Committee of 7th pay commission for consideration,” a statement by the defence ministry stated.

Source: PTI

CBDT issues notifications of the Taxation Laws Act, 2016

NEW DELHI: The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016 has come into force on December 15th, 2016 under the scheme of Taxation and Investment Regime for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 2016.

Sushil Chandra CBDT chairman

The scheme shall commence on December 17th, 2016, and shall remain open for declarations up till March 31st, 2017 notifies Central Board of direct Taxation (CBDT).

The rules in this regard have been notified vide Notification No.116 dated December 16th, 2016 and have been placed in public domain.

A separate notification has been issued for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme, 2016 by Department of Economic Affairs.

The salient features of the scheme include declaration under the scheme can be made by any person in respect of undisclosed income in the form of cash or deposits in an account with bank or post office or specified entity, tax at 30 percent of the undisclosed income, surcharge at 33 percent of tax and penalty at 10 percent of such income is payable besides mandatory deposit of 25 percent of the undisclosed income in Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme, 2016.

Also, the income declared under the Scheme shall not be included in the total income of the declarant under the Income-tax Act for any assessment year.

The declarations made under the Scheme shall not be admissible as evidence under any Act (eg. Central Excise Act, Wealth-tax Act, Companies Act etc.).

However, no immunity will be available under Criminal Acts mentioned in section 199-O of the Scheme.

Non-declaration of undisclosed cash or deposit in accounts under the Scheme will render such undisclosed income liable to tax, surcharge and cess totalling to 77.25 percent of such income if declared in the return of income.

In case the same is not shown in the return of income a further penalty at 10 percent of tax shall also be levied followed by prosecution. It may be noted that the provisions for levy of penalty for misreporting of income at 200 percent of tax payable under section 270A of the Income-tax Act have not been amended and shall continue to apply with respect to cases falling under the said section.

The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016 has also amended the penalty provisions in respect of search and seizure cases. The existing slab for the penalty of 10 percent, 20 percent and 60 percent of income levied under section 271AAB has been rationalised to 30 percent of income if the income is admitted and taxes are paid. Otherwise, a penalty at 60 percent of income shall be levied.

PTI

Deposits by individuals,entities to be dealt as per law: Finance Ministry

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

New Delhi: Finance Ministry today clarified that old currency deposits in bank accounts by any entity will be monitored and each case will be dealt as per law applicable in that case.

Amid reports that deposits by political parties is exempted from Income Tax, a Finance Ministry spokesperson said, "Any individual, or anybody including political parties, organisation can deposit any amount of old currency notes in their respective accounts but that does not mean it would be exempted for Income Tax Act automatically. Each case will be dealt as per law applicable in that case".

PTI

Lt Gen Bipin Rawat to be next Army chief, Air Marshal B S Dhanoa next Air Force chief

New Delhi: The government today appointed vice chief of army staff Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the new Army chief superseding his two senior officers, while vice chief of air staff Air Marshal B S Dhanoa has been made the new chief of the Indian Air Force.

Lt General Bipin Rawat was today appointed as the new Army chief.

"Government has decided to appoint Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, vice chief of army staff, as the next chief of army staff with effect from afternoon of December 31," the Defence Ministry said in a tweet.

It also tweeted that Air Marshal B S Dhanoa will take over as IAF chief with effect from afternoon of December 31.

Rawat will replace General Dalbir Singh, while Dhanoa will take over from IAF chief Arup Raha.

Lt Gen Rawat, an infantry soldier, superseded senior most army commander Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who headed the Eastern Command and was next in line to be the army chief, besides Southern Command Chief P M Hariz.

Government sources said Lt gen Rawat was found best suited among the Lt Generals to deal with emerging challenges, including a reorganized and restructured military force in the north, continuing terrorism and proxy war from the west, and the situation in the North-East.

They said Lt Gen Rawat has tremendous hands-on experience of serving in combat areas and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades.

He has handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China and in the North-East.

He is known for his balanced approach towards soldiering, compassion, and connect with civil society.

His experience as GOC-in-C Southern Army Command in Mechanised Warfare has been focused towards the western borders, in coordination with the other two services, the sources said.

Supersesion in the army is not new though there has not been any such instances in the recent past. In 1983, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had appointed Lt Gen A S Vaidya as army chief superseding Lt Gen S K Sinha, who resigned in protest.

Earlier in 1972, the Gandhi government side-stepped the very popular Lt General P S Bhagat, one of the handful of Indian Victoria Cross awardees from World War II, who was in line to succeed General (later Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw. This was done by giving his junior, General G G Bewoor a year's extension, during which time Bhagat retired. Bewoor, thus, succeeded Manekshaw.

PTI

Govt issues new guidelines for social media use in CAPFs

New Delhi: With smart phones making huge proliferation in ranks of security forces, the government has issued fresh guidelines for regulating sharing of secret operational and service data on such platforms involving troops and officers of central paramilitary forces, violation of which will invite "strict legal action".

Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The three-page guidelines, issued by the Home Ministry recently and notified to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) headquarters here, speak specifically of instances where force personnel have used personal cell phones to click pictures of an ongoing or concluded ambush or operation which later finds it way on media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and others.

The directives state that these are a reiteration and enhancement of the existing directives in this regard, but address some specific issues.

The latest order by the Union Home Ministry said there was a "strong need" to issue the do's and dont's afresh as it "has come to the notice of government that there have been instances where mobile phones and cameras of force personnel have been used for operational coverage and sensitive material was uploaded on social media without official permission."

The fresh directives stipulate legal action against defaulting personnel.

"Any such photo, video, among others are meant strictly for official use only and any unauthorised disclosure of confidential operations related information by uploading operational material onto social media sites is a serious breach of rules and may lead to charges being laid against offending force employees," the guidelines, accessed by PTI, said.

However, senior officials in these forces pointed out a loophole in this directive, saying in a number of operations multiple agencies like state police and army are involved and as these guidelines are not applicable on them, there could still be chances and instances of an information breach and subsequent sharing of multimedia on Internet-based social media platforms.
The guidelines add that "divulging" of such information

on social media without permission of competent authority is "against National Information Security Policy and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and government".

The brief guidelines do not make it amply clear what is to be released and what is to be held back during operations and even what construes to be an operational activity, officials said, citing an instance mentioned in the new directives which state that videos of training drills of these men and women "discloses methodology" of forces which "directly compromise safety of officers and men in operations."

The guidelines have also mandated that the respective chiefs (Directors General) of these forces like the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and the National Security Guard (NSG) will be the authorities mandated to clear release of pictures, videos, text and other information on "operations and other service matters" on social media either via the official handles of these forces or directly to the media (journalists).

The guidelines, framed after a number of meetings were held between senior officials of these forces and the Union Home Ministry in the last few months, stipulate that only official force cameras and recorders should be used to capture any picture or video of a captured or neutralised terrorist/militant and seizures of arms and ammunition made by them.

It adds that in case when official cameras or recorders are not available at the encounter spot and private cameras or cellphones are used in the aftermath of an operation it "should immediately be surrendered to the appropriate authority for official use with clearances of appropriate levels and then thereafter ensured that the same has been deleted from the private camera/smartphone among others."

The new guidelines conclude that any violations of these points or any other standing order in this regard will invite "strict action against defaulters under the existing laws and rules."

All the CAPFs, except NSG, now have their Twitter and Facebook handles and they post general information about the activities in their respective domains after obtaining clearances from the top command.

Officials estimate that over 75 per cent of troops in these forces now have smartphones which can capture pictures and videos with good clarity.

PTI

Ban anonymous contributions above Rs 2,000 to political parties, says EC

New Delhi: Seeking to check the use of undisclosed wealth and money laundering in politics, the Election Commission has recommended the government amend laws to allow exemption from tax only to parties that win seats in elections and ban anonymous contributions of Rs 2,000 and above to parties.

Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi

Section 13A of the Income-Tax Act, confers an exemption to political parties for income from house property, income by way of voluntary contributions, income from capital gains and income from other sources.

Only income under the head ‘salaries and income from business or profession' are chargeable to tax in the hands of political parties.

The Commission has now proposed that exemption of income tax only be extended to political parties that contest elections and win seats in the Lok Sabha or Assembly polls.

The Commission said, "There could be cases where political parties could be formed merely for availing of provisions of tax exemption if the facility, that are at the expense of the public exchequer, is provided to all political parties."

There is also no constitutional or statutory prohibition on receipt of anonymous donations by political parties. But, there is an "indirect partial ban" on anonymous donations through the requirement of declaration of donations under section 29C of The Representation of the People Act.

But, such declarations are mandated only for contributions above Rs 20,000.

According to the proposed amendment, sent by the Commission to the government, and made part of its compendium on proposed electoral reforms, "anonymous contributions above or equal to the amount of Rs 2,000 should be prohibited".

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia clarified that political parties cannot accept old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as donations, as both these bills have ceased to be legal tender.

“All reports on the alleged privilege to political parties are false and misleading. Political parties have not been granted any exemption or privilege, post demonetisation & introduction of the Taxation Amendment Act, 2016,” he said in a series of tweets.

“Post demonetisation, no political party can accept donations in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes since they were rendered illegal tenders. If there is any discrepancy, political parties are as liable to be questioned by I-T authorities as is anyone else. They enjoy no immunity,” Adhia added.

In another recommendation to check black money, the EC has asked the law ministry to ensure political parties are made to register details of donors for coupons of all amounts on the basis of a Supreme Court order of 1996.

Coupons are one of the ways devised by the political parties for collecting donations and hence are printed by the party itself. There is no or limit as to how many coupons can be printed or for what total amount.

Currently, the details of donors are not required for coupons with small amounts such as for Rs 10 or 20. "These smaller sums aggregate into a bigger amount and, hence, they need to be accounted for, to ensure transparency,” the Commission said.

PTI

Ahead of polls, UP govt to hike pay of 16 lakh govt employees

Lucknow: In a New Year bonanza for state government employees ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the Akhilesh Yadav government on Tuesday decided to implement recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

The decision is likely to benefit 16 lakh state government employees and six lakh pensioners.

"Wetan samiti ka faisla liya hai. Aaney waley samay mey lakhon karmchairyon ko laabh hoga. Issey kai crore ka bhaar aayega (We have taken decision of pay committee recommendations. It will benefit lakhs of government employees. It will put additional burden of crores of rupees on the state exchequer)," Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said.

He was briefing reporters after a meeting of the state cabinet charied by him.

The pay recommendations will be implemented from January 1, he said, adding in the days to come these employees will help Samajwadi Party form government in the state again.

PTI

Old Rs 500 notes not acceptable from Dec 15 mid-night: Finance Ministry

New Delhi: People can use old Rs 500 notes for paying utility bills or buying medicines till tomorrow mid-night as the government has decided not to extend exemptions beyond December 15.

Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das

At the same time, mobile recharge facility with old Rs 500 notes will not be available. However, people can deposit invalid Rs 500 currency in their bank accounts.

"Exemptions for use of old Rs 500 notes will end on December 15 midnight," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das tweeted.

That means old 500 currency notes will not be acceptable at medicine shops and for paying public utility services such as payment of electricity and water bill etc.

The government had already withdrawn some of the relaxations like booking railway or plane tickets and payment at petrol pump and toll plaza by using the old Rs 500 notes.

While cancelling legal tender of 500 and 1,000 notes on November 8, the government had allowed them to be used for utility bill payments for the first 72 hours. This deadline was extended repeatedly and the last extension was granted till December 15.

In between, the government withdrew use of 1,000 rupee notes for utility bill payments and discontinued use of even 500 ones for services like purchase of petrol and diesel at petrol pumps as well as buying air tickets at airport counters.

Since the demonetisation announcement, the government has been pushing towards promoting digital transactions and has come out with a package to incentivise cashless payments.

Now petrol, railway tickets and insurance policies of PSU companies will cost less if bought through debit/credit cards or other digital modes. The government also waived service tax for payments up to Rs 2,000 made through cards and decided to do away with transaction fee for payment to the central government departments and PSUs.

PTI

Post Offices Exchanged Notes Worth Rs 3,680 Crore Till Dec 7

New Delhi: Post offices have exchanged currency worth Rs 3,680.99 crore till December 7, after the government scrapped old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes last month, Parliament was informed today.

Communications Minister Manoj Sinha.

"The total amount exchanged in the post offices after demonetisation is Rs 3,680.99 crore till December 7, 2016," Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

The total amount deposited in the post offices after demonetisation is Rs 38,630.06 crore till December 7, 2016, he added. The demonetisation of high value currency took effect from November 9.

Responding to another query, Sinha said a total of over 79.75 lakh subscribers have ported out and 60.51 lakh subscribers have ported in to the mobile network of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

"A total of 4,41,879 subscribers have ported out and 1,21,219 subscribers have ported in to the mobile network of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL)," he said.

A total of 2,479 complaints have been received by different TERM Cells against various telecom service providers (TSPs) across the country regarding keeping MNP request of subscribers pending or cancelled and thereby not complying with the MNP scheme during year 2015 and current year 2016 (up to September 30, 2016), he said.

Out of these complaints, a total of 2,320 number of complaints have been received against private cellular operators.

The highest number of complaints was against Airtel (651), followed by Vodafone (555), Idea (444), Reliance (342) and Aircel (195).

PTI

Income tax rate is expected to come down: Govt

New Delhi: Income tax rate as well as interest rate are expected to come down as a result of demonetisation of high value currency notes, government said today.

Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal indicated there is a possibility of income tax rate cut in the upcoming budget which is expected on February 1.

"I cannot reveal everything which will be part of the budget, but interest rate will come down...it will definitely come down", Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said.

He also indicated there is a possibility of income tax rate cut in the upcoming budget which is expected on February 1.

"There are two issues with income tax-- exemption limit, and another is slab. Both of them will be looked into," he said while addressing an event organised by Laghu Udyog Bharti here.

Assuring relief to the MSME sector, Meghwal said the next budget will look into their concerns.

Spelling out advantages of demonetisation, Meghwal said that it will help lower interest rate.

Besides, it is choking the funding to terrorist organisation and flushing out black money from the system.

Naxal activities have come down significantly across the country, he added.

On the issue of major amount of old Rs 500/1000 currency have come back into the system, he said, it can be said with clarity only after reconciling data.

Banks are yet to segregate fake currencies from the deposits that they have got and there are issues of double counting of deposits of banks and post offices.

These issues would be cleared after reconciliation takes place, he added.

With regard to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Meghwal said the government intends to implement it from April 1.

"The Constitution does not permit delay in GST implementation. The government notified GST on September 16 and the constitutional amendment itself says the current indirect tax system can continue for one year, after which the GST has to come," he said.

If it is not implemented by September 16 next year, both states and centre would lose their power to levy tax, he said.

"GST will be the first act in which it will be one country, one tax which will include Jammu and Kashmir also. J&K will also have to implement GST," he said.

PTI

Digital Payment : 0.75% discount on petrol, diesel

New Delhi: A discount of 0.75 per cent on petrol and diesel will kick-in from midnight tonight on fuel purchases made using digital payment.

You will get 0.75 per cent discount from midnight today on payments made using either credit/debit cards, e-wallets or mobile wallets.

The discount will start from midnight tonight and would be by way of cash back which will be credited to the buyer's account in three days from the transaction, said Indian oil Corp, the nation's largest fuel retailer.

The 0.75 per cent discount on payments made using either credit/debit cards, e-wallets or mobile wallets will translate into a rebate of 49 paisa a litre on petrol and 41 paisa on diesel.

Petrol is currently sold at Rs 66.10 per litre in Delhi while a litre of diesel costs Rs 54.57.

The "discount will be credited to customer's account by way of cash back within maximum three working days of the transaction," IOC said in a statement here.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had last week announced a raft of measures including discounts on online payments for insurance policies, rail tickets and highway toll charges as the government looked to promote digital cash post demonetisation.

"As a part of these initiatives, to promote cashless transactions Government of India has announced to incentivise petrol/diesel customers transacting at PSU petrol pumps by way of 0.75 per cent discount when a customer uses Debit/Credit Cards, Mobile Wallets and Prepaid Loyalty Cards," the statement said.

PTI

Launch of Veterans Outreach Android App

In an attempt to reach out to Army veterans, and create an interactive mechanism, General Dalbir Singh, Chief of the Army Staff, yesterday launched a mobile app called "Veterans Outreach App". This will provide certain specific facilities to Army Veterans & Veer Naris on their android based mobiles.

The app was prepared under the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV), which functions under the Adjutant General Branch and runs a web portal specifically meant for veterans and Veer Naris called 'Indian Army Veterans Portal" (www. indianarmyveterans.gov.in ).

The Veterans Outreach App has specific features like "Ask a question" and "Locator Services" that enable locating Ex-Serviceman Cells, ECHS Polyclinics, Station Canteens and Sainik Aram Garh's all across the country. The app also facilitates route guidance on a google map to any chosen service facility. A link has also been provided to a "Pension Calculator" on the PCDA (P) web site called ‘Suvigyai’ which enables a veteran to check his/her pension entitlements.

The App also facilitates "Findings Coursemates" from amongst veterans who are registered on the Indian Army Veterans Portal and thereby enabling them to reconnect with old mates. An additional feature incorporates providing links to various web portals run by Directorate General Recruiting, Directorate General Resettlement, Kendriya Sainik Board. Indian Army. Portal and Principle Controller of Defence Accounts.

The Veterans Outreach App has been officially launched at Manekshaw Centre by the COAS. The Ceremony was attended by the former Chiefs, a large number of senior serving and retired officers and members of the wider Army veteran fraternity.

Source : PIB

FM Jaitley asked to extend cut-off date to deposit banned notes

Washington: Describing the demonetisation move as a "bold decision", a global body for people of Indian-origin has asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to extend by six months the cut-off date for depositing the banned notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.

"It is a bold decision by Prime Minister Modi and we fully support him," said GOPIO president Niraj Baxi in his recent letter to FM Arun Jaitley Jaitley.

The Global Organisation of People of Indian-Origin (GOPIO) in a recent letter said it has been flooded by concerns from a large number of NRIs and PIO after the recent government's decision to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.

"It is a bold decision by Prime Minister Modi and we fully support him," said GOPIO president Niraj Baxi in his recent letter to Jaitley.

He said that some NRIs and PIOs have left over cash from their previous visits to India, while others have used currency exchanges and banks to obtain the rupees abroad for use on their future trip to India.

Many NRIs and PIOs have kept these notes for a while so as to use them on their return to India in the future. Some have used less time consuming means of obtaining currencies from online money exchanges to take back to India, said a media statement issued by GOPIO.

"NRIs and PIOs should be allowed to exchange whatever amount they have as long as they show the proof of past conversion of foreign currency to Indian currency in the last 10 years," said Thomas Abraham, chairman of GOPIO International.

In the letter, GOPIO requested the Indian Government to extend the cut-off date by six months, as many cannot return to India by the end of December, 2016; and offer PIO's with business and other income in India be similar deals as for residents (deposit up to Rs 2,50,000).

It also urged Jaitley to assist the PIO's living abroad by providing an avenue to cash or exchange the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes held by them for travelling to India and increase the limit for exchange to Rs 25,000 when they arrive at the airports.

In his letter Baxi said as per Government's recent announcement, NRI and PIO'scannot deposit these notes in their foreign banks (as they are refusing to accept them); do not have bank accounts in India to deposit and even if they do they cannot travel to deposit the notes and cannot exchange the notes as foreign banks and exchange outlets are refusing to accept these notes.

PTI

New Rs 100 notes to be issued soon: RBI

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday said it will soon put to circulation Rs 100 notes in the market with enlarged identification features.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel .

“The Reserve Bank will shortly issue Rs 100 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005, without inset letter in both the numbering panels,” RBI said in a release.

The notes with ‘2016’ printing year will be similar in design with the existing Rs 100 notes in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005 having ascending size of numerals in the number panels, bleed lines, and enlarged identification mark, on the obverse.

The RBI said it has already put to circulation Rs1 00 notes with the ascending size of numerals in the number panels but without bleed lines and enlarged identification mark. These notes will remain in circulation concomitantly with the notes being issued now, it added.

“All the banknotes in the denomination of Rs 100 issued by the central bank in the past will continue to be legal tender,” RBI said further.

Besides, earlier this week RBI had said that it will issue Rs 20 and Rs 50 denomination notes. Issue of these small value currencies will be a big relief to common consumers to meet their daily requirements as the Rs 2,000 denomination bank note available currently has a limited acceptability as finding change is a big issue when almost 86% of the cash has been wiped off the market to abolish Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes.

PTI

Large volumes of cash source of corruption: PM

New Delhi: Contending that large volumes of liquid cash are a big source of corruption and black money, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appealed to the people to "lead the change" towards cashless transactions to lay the strong foundations of an India where there is no place for such malaise.

"Large volumes of liquid cash are a big source of corruption and black money," Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said.

"In 21st century India, there is no place for corruption.

Corruption slows down growth and takes a toll on the dreams of the poor, neo-middle class and middle class," he wrote in an article posted on Linkedin.com.

"Large volumes of liquid cash are a big source of corruption and black money," he said while referring to his "historic" decision on November 8 to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes with an aim of ending corruption and black money.

Asserting that in 21st century India, there is no place for corruption, Modi said, "Corruption slows down growth and takes a toll on the dreams of the poor, neo-middle class and middle class."

In this context, he referred to his pitch for cashless transactions.

"I urge all of you, particularly my young friends to lead the change and inspire others to turn towards cashless transactions. This will set the strong foundations of an India where there is no place for corruption and black money," the Prime Minister said.

"Today we live in an era of mobile banking and mobile wallets. Ordering food, buying and selling furniture, ordering a taxi...all of this and lot more is possible through your mobiles. Technology has brought speed and convenience in our lives," he added.

Along with the article, he posted pictorial references to cashless options like credit cards.

"I am sure most of you are using cards and e-wallets regularly but I thought I must share with you ways through which increased cashless transactions are possible," he said.

PTI

LS passes Income Tax amendment bill amid din

New Delhi: Amid din, Lok Sabha today passed, within minutes and without any discussion, a bill that seeks to tax money deposited in banks post demonetisation, marking the first legislative business during the two-week-old Winter Session which has been paralysed by the opposition.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

The Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2016, was passed by the lower House after eight days of total washout. The Rajya Sabha, however, again failed to transact any business because of pandemonium of demonetisation.

Even as Opposition members indulged in fierce slogan shouting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the bill will give means to the Government of India to run schemes like Garib Kalyan Kosh. "I urge the House to accept the amendments," he said while moving the bill for consideration and passing.

He said the bill was brought after it came to the government's notice that some people were trying to illegally exchange the demonetised Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes.

Jaitley said as per the amendment proposed, those caught illegally converting money will have to cough up 60 peer cent tax plus penalties, which will come to 85 per cent.

Those who disclose black money to banks will have to pay 50 per cent tax, including surcharge and penalty. While they will get back 25 per cent immediately, the rest 25 per cent will be returned after 4 years.

Some amendments moved by opposition members were rejected as those required approval of the President which could not be obtained.

Two amendments by N K Premchandran (RSP) and B Mahtab (BJD) were allowed. While Premchandran refused to move the amendment as he was shouting slogans, Mahtab's was negated by a voice vote.

Earlier, several opposition members said the bill could not be discussed before the debate on demonetisation as the measure was a follow up of the note ban decision.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said since the bill is of urgent public importance, it has to be passed immediately. Though she wanted a debate, she said "it is impossible" because of the behaviour of the opposition members.

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and TMC's Sudip Bandhopadhyay said the two -- Adjournment Motion on demonetisation and the Income Tax Amendment Bill can be discussed together as the issues were similar.

Saugat Roy (TMC) said since Jaitley yesterday introduced the Bill "surreptiously" and "stealthily" amid din, the opposition did not get a chance to oppose its introduction as per rules.

B Mahtab said discussion on demonetisation was also necessary along with a debate on the bill as it had serious repercussions on the Income Tax laws. He said a way should be found.

PTI

Goa approves implementation of 7th Pay panel recommendations

Panaji: Goa cabinet today gave its approval to the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, which will be implemented from January 1, 2017.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar

State Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar announced that over 55,447 government employees will be covered under the recommendation of 7th Pay Commission, which will increase their salary by 16 per cent.

"Another 25,002 pensioners and their families will benefit from the pay scale," he said.

Parsekar said the state's salary liability will increase from Rs 47 crore to Rs 70 crore annually with the implementation of 7th Pay Commission.

"The arrears from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 which comes to around Rs 381.60 crore would be deposited into the employees' provident funds," the CM said.

The revised pay scale would not be applicable to the employees of panchayat raj, municipalities, corporations, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings (PSU).

Parsekar said approximately 55,447 government employees and government-aided employees (educational) will enjoy the benefit from January 1.

PTI