Cabinet approves Amendment in the various acts to facilitate implementation of GST Regime

Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals: 

 

i. Amendment to the Customs Act, 1962;

ii. Amendments to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975;

iii. Amendment to the Central Excise Act, 1944;

iv. Repeal of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985; and

v. Amendment or repeal of the provisions relating to Acts under which cesses are levied.

 

The above proposals will result in the following benefits:

 

i. Insertion of Sections 108A and 108B in the Customs Act, 1962 seeks to provide for furnishing of information relating to import/export of goods by specified persons to enable analysis and detection of cases of unter/over-valuation in imports and exports, misuse of export promotion schemes including the Drawback Scheme and violations of the provisions of the Customs Act and various other laws under which Customs officials have been authorized to effectively implement these laws; and

 

ii. Amendments or repeal of various provisions of other Acts which will no longer be relevant consequent upon roll out of GST will result in cleansing of the irrelevant portions from the Statute Book and reduce multiplicity of taxes.

Parties welcome SC advice on Ayodhya, Muslim groups sceptical

New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The Supreme Court's suggestion of an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute today reignited the debate on the vexed issue, with political parties broadly welcoming it, but Muslim outfits voicing scepticism.

The ruling BJP welcomed the apex court's suggestion, insisting the parties to the case should keep in mind its "sensitivity", while the Congress was guarded in its response, saying there should be a "consensus-based" solution or the SC adjudicate the matter on merit.

Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Uma Bharti, considered Hindu hardliners in the Modi government, insisted that the temple be built at the disputed site.

Union Minister P P Chaudhary said the government favours talks to resolve the Ayodhya dispute.

"Government is always ready and encourages mediation. We encourage negotiations and mediations, even pre-litigation mediation and post-litigation mediation," Chaudhary, who is Minister of State for Law and Justice, said.

Muslim organisations, who are key to any amicable out- of-court settlement, however, voiced scepticism over efficacy of talks to resolve the long-standing dispute.

"We welcome this step and I believe they should have talks outside the court," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, adding the party will study in detail the observations made by the apex court, which has said the issue is "sensitive and sentimental", and is related to faith of millions of people.

Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "If all stakeholders on both sides can arrive at a mutually acceptable consensus-based solution, it will go a long way in ensuring lasting peace, goodwill, mutual respect and brotherhood. Otherwise, Supreme Court should adjudicate the issue on merit." 

Muslim organisations, including the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC), which is a party to the case, were sceptical about the Supreme Court's suggestion, saying attempts at out- of-court settlement in the past have been unsuccessful.

"We are ready with Chief Justice (of India) mediating...

We trust him. We are also ready we if he nominates a team for hearing the matter. But out of court settlement is not possible. If SC passes an order in this regard, we will look into it," said Zafaryab Jilani, convenor of the committee.

Jilani said that going by the past experience, he feels that the matter cannot be settled outside the court and referred to unsuccessful negotiation attempts made during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Chandra Shekhar and P V Narasimha Rao.

The Secretary General of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Maulana Wali Rahmani, said, "We have trust in the Chief Justice and if he is there we are ready for talks."

"Talks were held earlier also but it can be initiated again. But talks should not be long," he added.

Maulana Khalid Rashid of the AIMPLB alleged that the attempts in the past to resolve the issue were foiled by political parties.

"Negotiation have been made in the past a number of times between the two parties. But each time political parties foiled our attempts...(So), we are of the view that let the Supreme Court decide once and for all," Rashid said.

BJP veteran L K Advani, one of the protagonists of the movement whose 'rath yatras' for construction of Ram temple galvanised and polarised Hindus to the advantage of the saffron party, said all concerned should reach a consensus to resolve it.

"The Supreme Court's observation is a welcome step and I hope in the light of the apex court's advise, all concerned parties will reach consensus and will find a solution to resolve the Ram Temple issue," Advani, who was the flag bearer of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, said.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, whose petition seeking an urgent hearing on the matter led to today's development in the Supreme Court, suggested Ram temple should be built at 'Ram Janmabhoomi' (birthplace of Ram at the disputed site), while the mosque can be constructed on the other side of Sarayu river to resolve the dispute, which has defied resolution.

"We were always ready. Mandir and Masjid should be built but Masjid should be built on other side of Sarayu river. The Ram Janambhoomi should be entirely for Ram Mandir," he said, arguing, "we cannot change the birthplace of Ram, but Masjid can be made anywhere." 

Giriraj Singh, known for his controversial comments, asked "If the Ram Temple is not built here, would it be built in Pakistan on Bangladesh".

Bharti, who was closely associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 1990s and an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case along with Advani, insisted that the issue of ownership of the disputed site be settled through talks. She said whosoever owned the land should offer it to Lord Ram as a "gift".

"There can't be a bigger gift than this...we should arrive at a solution which will be remembered for thousands of years," she said.

Yogi Adityanath, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh whose guru and former Gorakhpur MP Yogi Avaidyanath was one of the leading figures of the movement, said aggrieved parties must sit together to resolve it.

Terming the Supreme Court's observation as a "solid" one, Adityanath said, "It is a welcome step." 

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia said the Centre must bring out a legislation to build the Ram temple.

The Ayodhya issue should be resolved at the earliest and a temple built with the involvement of all Indians, RSS functionary Dattatreya Hosabale said.

He said, "It (Ram temple issue) is to be decided by the Dharam Sansad as they are the people who organised the entire Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the parties who went to the court.

"RSS will not decide. RSS will go by the Dharam Sansad's decision. The issue should be settled at the earliest and a grand temple should be erected with the involvement of all Indians," Hosabale said.

‘Sexual Harassment at workplace in PSUs’

Based on the norms and guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan & Others (JT 1997 (7) SC 384) to prevent sexual harassment of working women, DPE has issued guidelines vide OM No. DPE/15(4) /98(GL-004)/GM dated 29-05-1998 to all Ministries/Departments to direct the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)  under their administrative control to make necessary amendment in their CDA (Conduct, Discipline & Appeal)  Rules on the lines of the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.   Further, as per the 62nd Report of the “Status of Women Government Employees, Service Conditions, Protection against exploitation, Incentives and other related issues” by the    Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice, DPE vide it’s OM No. 6(1)/2014-DPE(GM) dated 19-08-2014 has requested Ministries/ Departments to advise CPSEs under their control to constitute WIPS (Women in Public Sector) Cell to facilitate experience sharing, helping in confidence building and to ensure speedy redressal of their grievances including sexual harassment at workplace.

CPSEs are under the administrative control of their respective Ministries/ Departments. The complaints of individual harassment cases are dealt in accordance with CPSE’s CDA Rules and extant guidelines issued by Government from time to time. The implementation of Government instructions in CPSEs vests with the respective Board of Directors of CPSEs and its concerned Ministry / Department  and as such the data on number of incidents of sexual harassment at workplace or about gender sensitization units in CPSEs is not maintained centrally in Department of Public Enterprises.

    This information was given by Minister of  State in the Ministry of  Heavy Industries  and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.

BS-IV Norms For Vehicles

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued notification No. GSR 643(E) dated 19.08.2015 vide which the mass emission standards for Bharat Stage IV shall come in to force all over the country in respect of four wheeled vehicles manufactured on or after the 1st April, 2017.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has reported that EPCA during its meeting held on 19th October 2016 informed the SIAM Members that only BS- IV vehicles should be registered from 1st April 2017. However, SIAM had clarified during the meeting that they will follow the Govt. of India notification and not manufacture any BS- III vehicles from 1st April 2017. 

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today. 

Mandatory Display of Food Safety Boards

Under the existing provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, it is mandatory to display the true copy of the license at a prominent place at all times within the premises where the Food Business Operator carries on the food business. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has come out with a revamped Food Safety Display Board (FSDB)  covering information viz.,  (i)  FSSAI registration/license number  which the customer can verify at FSSAI website (ii)  basic food hygiene and safety tips to inform the customers and the food handlers about the important food safety and hygiene requirements  (iii)  food Safety declaration indicating that the restaurant abides by regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (iv) consumer feedback system informing the consumer about various options for sending feedback to FSSAI through WhatsApp, SMS or give feedback on FSSAI App. These FSDBs have a holistic 360 degree approach wherein a consumer can know about the Safe Food Practices; Food Handlers can know about the Good Manufacturing Practices/ Good Manufacturing Practices to be followed; and the Regulatory Staff can know about the inspection check points, thus covering the gap.  FSDBs have till now been prepared for six sectors namely-restaurants, street food, milk retail, meat retail, food retail sector and fruit & vegetable retail. Presently, these Food Safety Display Boards are being displayed voluntarily by 14 major and few minor Food Business Operators across their chain covering around 2000 outlets across India.

 

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Smt Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.

Rupee scales new 16-mth high, up 10 paise at 65.36

Mumbai, Mar 20 (PTI) The rupee regained its dominance after a brief consolidation phase and ended on Monday at a fresh 16-month high of 65.36 against the American currency in the face of dollar unwinding from exporters and banks.

Weak dollar overseas along with abundant capital inflows supplemented further strength to the local currency.

Forex dealers pointed to the recent improvement in sentiment as the impetus for the renewed vigour.

Massive capital inflows on hopes of more reform measures following BJP's strong showing in the recently held state elections spurred the rupee's biggest rally last week since early 2015.

Robust domestic macro fundamentals including 7 per cent GDP growth and a rebound in industrial production along with lesser-than-anticipated hawkish monetary policy stance too reflected in the strong rallying momentum.

The much-anticipated turnaround on the economic front has opened up a barrage of foreign capital fund flows into India.

Foreign investors pumped in USD 3.4 billion in the capital markets so far this month, while country's foreign exchange reserves nudged up USD 98.6 million in the week ended March 10.

Moreover, there is also an expectation that the government will relax FDI policy norms in more sectors to attract more funds and generating jobs.

Meanwhile, The Union Cabinet on Monday approved four legislations to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST), ahead of their introduction in Parliament this week to enable roll out of the tax reform from July 1.

The local currency resumed higher at 65.40 as compared to weekend close of 65.46 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex) market.

But, it soon succumbed to fresh dollar pressure and retreated to touch a low of 65.47 briefly in mid-morning deals.

However, overcoming the initial volatility, the home unit staged a smart rebound to touch a high of 65.30 before ending at 65.36, showing a gain of 10 paise, or 0.15 per cent.

It had lost 5 paise to end at 65.46 against the US currency on last Friday.

The RBI, meanwhile fixed the reference rate for the dollar at 65.3827 and for the euro at 70.3779.

Globally, the greenback continued its downward spiral across the board for the fourth day running against basket of currencies in knee-jerk reaction to a G20 summit outcome.

The US dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was trading lower at 100.12 after breaching 100-mark once again. .

Cabinet clears GST draft bills; reform to boost growth by 2%

New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI) The Cabinet on Monday cleared four legislations for implementing GST as the government sprints to meet the July 1 schedule to rollout the indirect tax reform which can add up to 2 per cent to India's economic growth.

The bills on compensating states for loss of revenue from GST rollout in first five years as well as those enabling levy of the new tax on intra/inter state movement of goods and services will be introduced in Parliament this week.

The approval of Parliament, coupled with a separate one by all State Assemblies, will complete the legislative process for the roll out of one-nation-one-tax regime by merging central taxes like excise duty and service tax as well as state levies like VAT.

The GST Council has already approved four-tier tax slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent plus an additional cess on demerit goods like luxury cars, aerated drinks and tobacco products.

The work on for putting various goods and services in different slabs is slated to begin next month.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the four GST related bills -- The Central Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The CGST Bill), The Integrated Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The IGST Bill), The Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The UTGST Bill) and The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to the States) Bill 2017 (The Compensation Bill)," an official statement said.

These will be introduced as Money Bills in the Lok Sabha this week.

"It could be even today," a source said, adding that discussion on the four legislations could happen together.

The GST legislations were the only agenda in today's Cabinet meeting.

"The passage of these four GST related bills will pave the way for the biggest reform in the area of indirect taxes in the history of independent India," said the statement.

With the Cabinet approval of these four bills, the GST regime in India is in the final stages of culmination and the GST law will most likely be implemented from July 1, it said.

The statement further said: "Introduction of GST would also make Indian products competitive in the domestic and international markets. Studies show that this would have a boosting impact on economic growth.

"It is expected that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax law will lead to an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country by 1-2 per cent. This in turn will lead to the creation of more employment and increase in productivity." .

Jats call off quota agitation after govt truce

New Delhi, Mar 19 (PTI) Jats today called off their quota agitation scheduled for tomorrow in the national capital, following a truce that was reached after a meeting between the leaders of the community and the Haryana government.

Jat leaders decided to call off their agitation after a marathon four-hour meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and two Union Ministers Birender Singh and P P Chaudhary who both are Jats.

"Centre and state will soon begin the process of giving reservation, following the Delhi High court order," Khattar told reporters in a joint press conference along with All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) Chairperson Yashpal Malik.

He also appealed to people in the state to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony.

"Ab Jat Dilli na aa rahe (Now Jats are not coming to Delhi). We have called off our agitation and march towards Delhi. The state government has agreed to our demands," Malik told reporters after the meeting.

He added that the community will call off its dharna from most of the places in the state, barring few where it will continue with symbolic protests.

Besides quotas, the Jats have been demanding release of people jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protests and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir.

The Jats have been sitting on dharna in various parts of Haryana since January 29.

"The government will now work according to the law and will undertake a survey and check ground realities so that the decision that we finally take will stand in court," P P Chaudhary," Minister of State for Law and Justice said.

He added, "The reservation process will expedite after appointment of National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC) chairperson and we want to ensure reservation for the community which is not stuck anywhere due to legal issues".

A Haryana ministerial panel led by senior Minister Ram Bilas Sharma had held talks with the Jats in Panipat on March 16, after which the minister had said that an agreement had been reached with the community and the deadlock could end soon.

Around 30 people were killed and more than 300 people injured when a similar agitation by the Jats had resulted in large-scale violence in Haryana in February last year.

In view of the planned march tomorrow, prohibitory orders had been clamped in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to stop the Jat protesters from entering Delhi.

About 24,700 paramilitary personnel had been mobilised to maintain peace. Metro and road transport has been curtailed and several schools have been closed in the national capital.

Yogi Adityanath sworn in as UP CM; heads 47-member team

Lucknow, Mar 19 (PTI) BJP's hardline Hindutva poster boy and five-time MP, Yogi Adityanath was today sworn in as the 21st chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, heading a 47-member council of ministers that includes two deputy CMs.

A surprise inclusion was cricketer-turned-politician Mohsin Raza, who was sworn in as a minister of state, becoming the lone Muslim face in the state government. BJP had not fielded any Muslim candidate in the Assembly polls.

Interestingly, the chief minister, his two deputies -- BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and party's national vice president Dinesh Sharma -- and Raza are not members of either House of the UP legislature.

Besides the two deputy CMs, his council of ministers has 22 other cabinet ministers, nine ministers of state with independent charge and 13 ministers of state.

The 44-year-old Adityanath is the fourth chief minister from the saffron party, ending its 15-year hiatus in the Hindi heartland state.

The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Ram Naik at Kashiram Smriti Upvan at a grand 90-minute ceremony attended by a galaxy of BJP luminaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and L K Advani.

Expressing "immense confidence" that this new team will leave no stone unturned in making UP 'Uttam Pradesh', Modi tweeted, "There will be record development. Our sole mission & motive is development. When UP develops, India develops. We want to serve UP's youth & create opportunities for them..." 

Outgoing chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father and Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav also attended the function.

The swearing-in ceremony was the culmination of a seven-phased Assembly election spread over two months in the most populous state, which gave BJP a landslide victory in the 403-member Assembly. BJP and its allies have won 325 seats.

Adityanath, who lacks administrative experience, was unanimously elected yesterday as the BJP legislature party leader at a meeting of the newly elected MLAs, a move that took many by surprise.

Soon after he was sworn in, Adityanath assumed charge in the newly constructed Lok Bhawan.

New UP CM to take oath on Sunday, MLAs meet tomorrow

Lucknow/New Delhi, Mar 17 (PTI) Suspense remained on BJP's chief ministerial pick in Uttar Pradesh as newly-elected MLAs were all set to meet here tomorrow to elect the leader, with Union Minister Manoj Sinha among the frontrunners.

"The new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh along with his Cabinet colleagues would take oath on March 19 at 5.00 PM at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan," Governor Ram Naik said in a statement in Lucknow.

State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi told PTI that the legislature party meeting will be held tomorrow at Lok Bhawan the newly constructed Chief Minster's office located adjacent to the UP BJP office.

Central observers - Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav -- will remain present at the meeting to elect the chief minister.

Besides Sinha, Home Minister and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh and state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya are being projected as strong nominees for the post by their partymen.

All these leaders in their interactions with the media have played down their chances with Sinha turning poetic today, citing a verse which translates as 'desires are treacherous, and change once fulfilled'.

"Naa mujhe kisi race kaa pata hai, naa main kisi race main hun (neither do I know about any race, nor am I in any race)," Sinha told reporters outside Parliament when asked if he was in the race to become the chief minister of the country's politically most important state.

Maurya, who was discharged following his hospitalisation yesterday after he complained of uneasiness, is seen as a favourite if the party opts for an OBC face.

He parried questions and said the state legislature party will decide on the chief minister tomorrow.

"Legislature party will decide who will be the chief minister. The oath taking ceremony will be on March 19 and all national leaders of the party will attend the ceremony," he told reporters.

"If the name of the new Chief Minister is revealed before the meeting of the newly-elected MLAs, then the relevance and sanctity of the meeting would be lost," he said 

The Home Minister, several leaders said, is a natural contender due to his profile and vast administrative experience.

With the BJP leadership often springing a surprise with its choice of state leaders like Manohar Lal Khattar and Vijay Rupani, both of whom were not among the favourites to lead governments in Haryana and Gujarat, sources said a relatively lesser known leader cannot be ruled out.

The central observers will most likely inform the MLAs about the BJP top brass' choice which will be subsequently endorsed at the meeting tomorrow.