Shri Ram Vilas Paswan chairs 31st Meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council

Centre working on mechanism to stop adulteration in packaged water: Shri Paswan

Department of Consumer Affairs to launch 6 Regional Consumer Helpline in next 3 months

Consumer Awareness Yatra from 15th August 2017 to 24th December 2017

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan releasing a booklet at a press conference after the 31st Meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council, in New Delhi on April 17, 2017. The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri C.R. Chaudhary and the Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Preeti Sudan are seen.

Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has said that the government is working on mechanism to stop adulteration in packaged water. Shri Paswan said that Department of Consumer Affairs has requested FSSAI to prepare a low cost testing machine which can be useful to check adulteration in various food products. It was stated by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan while briefing the media after chairing the 31st meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) held today at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, in New Delhi.

Shri Paswan further stated that Department of Consumer Affairs will launch 6 Regional Consumer Helpline in next 3 months. State Governments have been requested to provide necessary support for establishment of Regional Consumer Helpline. Shri Paswan also informed that the Department will organize Consumer Awareness Yatra involving the States/UTs and the voluntary consumer organisations from 15th August 2017 to 24th December 2017.

Shri C.R. Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the Vice-President of the Council, also addressed the members of the Council. Ms. Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, highlighted about the legislative changes and the activities being undertaken by the Ministry, including a number digital initiatives, towards protection of the rights of the consumers and asked the Members of the Council to play significant role in taking forward the consumer movement.

The topics discussed in the meeting included the points put forth by the Members on challenges in combating adulteration, strengthening the enforcement machinery and testing Infrastructure, training and capacity Building of all stakeholders, consumer advocacy, capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other Rural Development Functionaries to spread consumer awareness in the rural areas, setting up a Regulatory Authority for E-Commerce and National Consumer Awareness Yatra.

Suggestions from the Members were also sought on issues like service charges being charged by hotels and restaurants, awareness on wastage of food, legal metrology activities such as sale at less than MRP, Jagrook Grahak Kendra and rising awareness, issues related to food adulteration and fake and spurious goods.

The Officers from the Central Government Regulatory Agencies including FSSAI, BIS and officers from State Governments and representatives from Voluntary Consumer Organisations participated in the meeting.

The Central Council emphasized that the Working Groups constituted with its members should continue working on issues affecting the consumers and make recommendations/suggestions for consideration of the Government. 

US nudges Pak to 'confront' terror in all its forms

Islamabad, Apr 17 (PTI) The US today asked Pakistan to "confront" terrorism in all its forms as America's National Security Adviser held talks with the top civilian and military leadership here during an unannounced visit, the first by a top Trump administration official to this country.

US National Security Adviser (NSA) H R McMaster, who arrived here earlier in the day, held talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan NSA Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.

"McMaster expressed appreciation for Pakistan's democratic and economic development, and stressed the need to confront terrorism in all its forms," said a US Embassy statement on McMaster's meeting with the top civilian and military leadership here.

The two sides discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues, it said.

During McMaster's call on, Sharif, while talking about Indo-Pak ties, reiterated his "firm conviction" to sustained dialogue and meaningful engagement as the only way forward to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement here said.

Sharif welcomed President Trump's willingness to help India and Pakistan resolve their differences particularly on Kashmir and noted that this could go a long way in bringing sustainable peace, security and prosperity to the region, the statement said.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful neighbourhood and apprised the US NSA of the steps taken by Pakistan to reach out to both India and Afghanistan, the statement said.

Sharing his concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the continuing impasse, Sharif conveyed Pakistan's readiness to work with the international community to explore ways in which the Afghan crisis can be resolved, it said.

McMaster's visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan comes just days after the US dropped the largest non-nuclear bomb targeting an Islamic State complex in Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan.

This was McMaster's first visit to Pakistan as the US NSA and the first formal high-level exchange between the US and Pakistan under the new Donald Trump Administration.

During his meeting with McMaster, Sharif stated that across-the-board consensus was achieved by his government to combat extremism and terrorism, the PMO statement said.

Sharif said that as a longstanding friend and a partner, Pakistan was looking forward to forging a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with the US and to working with the new administration, to promote peace and security in the region and beyond, the statement said.

In his call on with Sharif, McMaster conveyed President Trump's greetings and assured the Prime Minister that the new administration was committed to strengthening bilateral ties and working with Pakistan, to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan and in the wider South Asian region, it said.

The visiting delegation included US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale, Acting US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Laurel Miller, Senior Director for South Asia Lisa Curtis and Director Pakistan in the National Security Council Jay Wise.

The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Aziz, Fatemi, Janjua, and other senior officials.

Earlier, McMaster also met Aziz, who gave a detailed briefing on the policies being pursued by the Pakistan government that have resulted in improved security environment and the "economic turnaround" in Pakistan, the Foreign Office here said in a statement.

The Pakistani side also shared its perspective on the "plight of Kashmiris" in India and the status of relations with New Delhi, the statement said.

Aziz reiterated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's vision of a peaceful neighbourhood and commitment to dialogue and engagement while also apprising the visiting US delegation of the steps taken by Pakistan to reach out to both India and Afghanistan, it said.

On terrorism, Aziz noted that "impressive gains" had been made in eliminating terrorists and Pakistan remained determined to continue this fight as part of the National Action Plan until the scourge of terrorism is completely eliminated from its soil, the Foreign Office said.

Conveying Pakistan's concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Aziz reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to working with the international community to support efforts for peace and reconciliation in the war-torn country.

He also highlighted the importance of effective border management as part of the actions required to achieve sustainable peace in the region.

On his part, McMaster thanked Aziz and acknowledged Pakistan's "sacrifices" in combating extremism and terrorism, the statement said.

The US NSA also renewed the commitment of the new Trump administration to work closely with Pakistan in strengthening mutually beneficial relations and also work towards the shared objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

McMaster's visit was a part of regional consultations that included a stop in Kabul yesterday.

US working on "range of options" against N Korea: McMaster

Washington, Apr 16 (PTI) The US today said it is working with China and other allies to develop a "range of options" against North Korea's "provocative and destabilising" behaviour, asserting that President Donald Trump will not allow Kim Jong-Un s regime to have the capacity to threaten America.

"The President has made clear that he will not accept the US and its allies and partners in the region being under threat from this hostile regime with nuclear weapons. And so we're working together with our allies and partners, and with the Chinese leadership, to develop a range of options," national security adviser H R McMaster said.

McMaster said the latest missile test, which failed, just fits into a pattern of "provocative and destabilising and threatening" behaviour on the part of the North Korean regime.

"I think there's an international consensus now, including the Chinese leadership that this is a situation that just can't continue. The US President has made clear that he will not accept the US and its allies and partners in the region being under threat from this hostile regime with nuclear weapons, he told ABC News.

McMaster said President Donald Trump has asked the National Security Council to integrate the efforts of the Department of Defence, State, and intelligence agencies, so that they can provide options and have them ready for him if this pattern of "destabilising" behaviour continues.

"These options would be used if North Korea regime refuses to denuclearise, which is the accepted objective of both the United States and Chinese leadership, as well American allies in the region," he said.

North Korea launched a missile today but it blew up almost immediately after its launch.

The attempted launch occurred a day after the regime of Kim Jong Un showed off a bevy of new missiles and launchers at a large-scale military parade.

Referring to the display of intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea during a recent parade, the US National Security Advisor said the purpose of that parade is to demonstrate military prowess in a threatening way.

So whether those weapons are real or fake is unclear, he said.

Asked about the "options" against North Korea, he said Trump has made very clear that he is not in the business of announcing in advance exactly what he's going to do in any particular situation.

"I think what you saw last week with the President's decisive response to the Assad regime, to mass murder of innocent people, including children, with chemical weapons, that this national security team is capable of rapidly responding to those sorts of crises or incidents and events and providing the President with options. And our President is clearly comfortable making tough decisions and respond, he said.

All our options on the table undergoing refinement and further development, the top American national security advisor said in response to a question.

McMaster said it should make clear to the North Korean regime that it is in their best interest to stop the development of these weapons, to stop the development of these missiles, and to denuclearise the peninsula.

"While we do not want to telegraph in any way how we'll respond to certain incidents, it's clear that the President is determined not to allow this kind of capability to threaten the United States. And our President will take action that is in the best interest of the American people," he said.

McMaster said what Kim Jong-un is doing is a threat to all people in the region and globally as well.

"This is someone who has said not only does he want to develop a nuclear weapon, but he wants to use it to coerce others. He's said that he was willing to proliferate nuclear weapons once he develops them. And so this a grave threat to all people, he asserted.

Pyongyang had yesterday warned Washington that it is "prepared to respond to an all-out war with an all-out war".

Lucky winners of 1 crore,50 lakh, 25 lakh, 12 lakh embracing digital payments felicitated by the Prime Minister in Nagpur

Digital Payment is the order of the day:  Proud Winners of the Mega Draw

The six lucky winners of the first, second and third prize worth Rs.1 crore, Rs.50 lakh and Rs.25 lakh in the consumer category and Rs. Rs.50 lakh, Rs.25 lakh and Rs,12 lakh in the merchants  category for embracing digital payments under NITI Aayo’s Lucky Grahak Yojana for consumers and Digidhan Vyapar Yojana for merchants  have underlined the need and importance of  making digital payments the order of the day. The proud winners were felicitated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their contribution in making digital payments revolution a mass movement in India.. The winners of the mega draw itself are a testimony to the spread of the digital payments revolution in the country.

The lucky winners the Mega Draw were felicitated by the Prime Minister on this occasion. 

20 year-old Shradha Mohan Mengshette, a second year student of Electrical Engineering from Latur district in Maharashtra, emerged as the winner of Rs.1 crore mega draw for consumers. She won the reward for making a transaction of Rs.1590 through her Rupay card online, to pay the monthly EMI for her new mobile phone.

The 2^nd prize of Rs. 50 lakh, under the Lucky GrahakYojana for consumers, was won by Hardik Kumar from Khambhat in Gujarat. The 29-year-old is a primary school teacher who used hisRupay card for making a transaction of Rs. 1100.

 Another RuPay card transaction, of just Rs.100, won Bharat Singh from the Sherpur village in Uttarakhand an amount of Rs. 25 lakh.

The 1^st prize of Rs. 50 lakh, under the Digi-DhanVyaparYojana category for merchants, was won by AnandAnanthapadmanabhan for accepting a payment of Rs.300 at GRT Jewellers in Tambaram, Tamil Nadu.

The 2^nd prize of Rs. 25 lacs was won by RaginiRajendraUttekar, owner of a small beauty parlour in Thane, Maharashtra. She accepted a payment of Rs.510 which won her this amount.

The 3^rd prize of Rs. 12 lakh was won by 33 year-old Shaik Rafi who runs a wholesale clothing store in Ameerpet, Telangana. He accepted a payment of Rs. 2000 on his PoS machine.

NITI Aayog’s two schemes to incentivize digital payments -Lucky GrahakYojana and DigiDhanVyaparYojana, came to an end after a rigorous 100 day information, education and communication campaign  making digital payments a mass movement in India.

Spread over 100 days since 25^th December in 100 cities all over the country, Rs.258 crore of prize money was won by 16 lakh winners, including customers and merchants belonging to different corners of the country and from varied walks of life.

100 days of DigiDhanMelas, led by NITI Aayog in 100 cities across India, have had a huge impact in enabling increased usage of digital payment methods. At least 15,000 institutions have gone cashless across just these 100 rural and urban cities across each one of the 27 states and 7 UTs. With a turnout of over 15 lakh from cities, small towns and villages, the melas have enabled lakhs to open new bank accounts as well as create new Aadhaar cards.

Centre positive on Teesta, will take right decision: Uma

Howrah (WB), Apr 14 (PTI) Union Water Resources and River Development Minister Uma Bharti today said the Centre has a positive stand on the Tessta water issue with Bangladesh and it will take the right decision on it considering all aspects.

"We don't want any politics on Teesta water issue. All aspects on it are being examined carefully," Bharti said before attending a meeting of her party BJP here.

Asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's unhappiness over the water sharing agreement, Bharti said "She (Mamata) is hardly happy on any issue." 

"Several questions have been raised on the issue both in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Things will be resolved through discussion with the state government," she said.

On paucity of drinking water in various states, Bharti said, "We have asked all the state governments through the Central Water Commission (CWC) to report to the Centre if there is any crisis regarding the availability of drinking water. The Centre will come out with all help." 

On the BJP performance in recent elections, Bharti said her party is now eyeing West Bengal.

"Earlier we used to win hardly any seat in the states like Assam and Haryana, but now we have formed governments in these states. We are confident about forming government in West Bengal too in future with a clear majority," she said.

Strongly criticising the law and order situation in West Bengal, Bharti alleged, "A reign of terror has been unleashed in Bengal and our party workers are being targeted. I have asked them to fight against these odds as the time is now ripe to fight for a change in power." 

Bharti also launched a counter attack on Trinamool Congress on the issue of communalism, saying it is not the BJP but Mamata Banerjee, who is responsible for playing communal politics in the state.

People will give her a fitting reply, she said.

Speaking on various central projects, Bharti alleged that the West Bengal government didn't submit proposals for projects properly, thus failing to avail central funds.

"How can we sanction funds against such incomplete project proposals?" she asked.

"Leaving aside the politics for development, Mamata Banerjee is only doing politics of violence. Her officials in the state have lost all efficiency to work for development," Bharti alleged.

Claiming that the BJP had a role behind the rise of Mamata in politics, she said, "The BJP will script her downfall as well by defeating her in the 2021 assembly elections." 

She called upon party workers to work towards a positive direction to bring in a change in the state.

Bharti condemned the bounty announced by a BJP youth wing leader on Mamata's head and said both she and her party have denounced the BJYM leader's comments.

Prez gives assent to four supporting legislations on GST

New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to four key legislations on Goods and Services Tax (GST), paving the way for the roll out of one-nation-one- tax regime from July 1.

The legislations were The Central GST Act, 2017, The Integrated GST Act, 2017, The GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017, and The Union Territory GST Act, 2017, officials said today.

These bills were passed in Rajya Sabha on April 6 and by Lok Sabha on March 29.

The GST, the biggest taxation reform since Independence, will subsume central excise, service tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) and other local levies to create an uniform market.

The Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, provides for the levy of the Central Goods and Services Tax by the Centre on the supply of goods and services within the boundary of a state.

Whereas, the Integrated GST Act deals with the levy of Integrated Goods and Services Tax by the Centre on inter-state supply of goods and services.

The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, provides for compensation to the states for the loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the Goods and Services Tax.

The Union Territory GST Act makes a provision for levy and collection of tax on intra-state supply of goods, services or both by the Union Territories.

The GST rates are to be discussed by the GST Council headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on May 18-19.

Jaitley had in Rajya Sabha last week said that the GST Council, comprising finance ministers of Union and states, had agreed to take a decision on bringing real estate within the ambit of the new tax regime within a year of its roll out.

The GST Council will also take decisions regarding inclusion of petroleum products and alcohol in the GST network, one by one, in the foreseeable future.

As regards Jammu and Kashmir, the Finance Minister had said the law will not apply there because of Article 370 that gives special status to the state.

Jammu and Kashmir will have to legislate its own law and integrate with the GST regime, Jaitley had said.

From state bodies to players, BCCI releases funds for all

New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI) The BCCI has released pending payments to various stakeholders which include Test match centres, state bodies, match fee of India players besides salary of coaches and commentators.

Also the IPL franchises were paid one installment of their share from the "Net Central Rights".

The board's website has uploaded all the payments and specific heads under which the invoices have been created from January to March.

According to payments made in March, the cash-strapped Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) have been paid approx Rs 1.69 crore under the head: "Advance against amount due to association".

The amount has been released on March 22 and will go a long way to help the staff, who have not been paid salaries for months.

The BCCI has also paid Rs 1.45 crore and Rs 5.54 crore (approx) on two separate counts -- property tax and service tax -- on behalf of DDCA.

The payments to various Test centres have also been made.

Accordingly, Himachal Pradesh and Hyderabad have received approximately Rs 2.82 crore each while Maharashtra and Andhra were paid Rs 4.52 crore respectively.

Among the IPL franchises -- promoters of KKR and Sunrisers received Rs 21 crore each, while Kings XI Punjab received Rs 22.5 crore.

The promoters of Mumbai Indians -- Indiawin Sports Private Limited and Delhi Daredevils owner GMR Sports received Rs 23 crore each.

All the top Indian players received their match fees plus retainership fees for various tours during the last international season.

Chief coach Anil Kumble has received "professional fees" of approx Rs 48.75 lakh each for December and January while Rahul Dravid, currently coach Delhi Daredevils, has received two separate amounts of Rs 41.44 lakh and Rs 1.89 crore (approx) during the 2016 season for coaching India U-19 and A sides.

The top Indian commentators have also been paid their fees for various broadcasting assignments. Both Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri have been paid approx Rs 56.93 lakh each for the England series.

Likewise, L Sivaramakrishnan and Sanjay Manjrekar were paid Rs 26.25 lakh and Rs 42 lakh respectively for the England series.

Nat Award for Sonam glorious validation of her talent: Azmi

Mumbai, Apr 13 (PTI) Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has praised Sonam Kapoor as she got a special mention at the 64th National Film Awards for her portrayal of slain air hostess, Neerja Bhanot, in "Neerja".

The 66-year-old actress, who essayed the role of Bhanot's mother in the movie, said she is glad to see the "Raanjhanaa" star's growth as an artiste and that the prestigious honour will motivate her to do better work.

"Sonam is like my own bachcha. To see her growth as an artiste is a very fulfilling experience for me personally. The National award for Sonam is such a glorious validation of her talent.

"It just makes her so much more confident to do better work. I am very proud of her," Azmi said in a poster which was shared by Sonam on social media.

"This made my day year and everything! Thank you @AzmiShabana and thank you @RamKMadhvani for showing me this," Sonam wrote alongside the photo.

While, Madhvani, who directed the movie, said, "High praise from @AzmiShabana and well deserved @sonamakapoor. Very happy for you." 

"Neerja" also won National Award for the best Hindi feature film

Growmoney Voice (Intra Day Tips Given for educational / academic purpose – see Notes given at the end of blog)

13/04/2017 (Intraday trading hours : 09.30 AM to 3 PM)

NIFTY Future: 

Range :  9172 - 9273

Likely to open between  : 9197 -9248

Buy above 9240 ; Tgts -  9259/9283/9307/9331 ; sl  - 9217

Sell below  9216 ; Tgts -  9196/9172/9148/9124 ; sl  - 9239

Break down -  9171 ;       Break up - 9273

Ensure women doctors not denied maternity leave: Maneka to Kejriwal

New Delhi, Apr 12 (PTI) Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has urged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ensure that doctors in government hospitals are not denied maternity leave.

Gandhi wrote a letter to Kejriwal following a media report which claimed that several government hospitals in the city either denied maternity leave to women resident doctors serving in the hospital on ad hoc basis or asked them to resign when they broached the topic.

The report claimed that this was a common practice in hospitals like Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Govind Ballabh Pant and Lok Nayak hospitals, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) hospital Hindu Rao.

"It is important for us in the government to ensure that the working conditions are suitable as well as enabling for working women. For this, extended maternity leave is one of the factors.

"I, therefore, request you to ensure that women doctors are not denied these benefits under any circumstances," Gandhi said.

Her letter said she has been informed that not just temporary resident doctors but regular doctors are also denied maternity benefits.

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016, passed by Parliament last month, extends paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks and is applicable to all organisations with 10 or more employees.