by rakesh | May 11, 2007 | Business
The Annual supplement to the Foreign Trade Policy released in April, 2007 had stated that service tax on exports shall be exempted. Various newspapers have been reporting that differences persist between the Finance and Commerce ministries on this issue.
On the issue concerning rebate or refund of service tax paid on various input services used for goods or services exported, it is hereby clarified that there are no differences between the Finance and Commerce Ministries and this decision was taken with the approval of the Commerce Minister, the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister. The taxes paid on inputs or input services used for manufacture of export goods or for providing export services are already being neutralized under rebate, refund and drawback schemes. However modalities for refund/rebate service tax on certain services, which are not input services, but are related to goods or services exported from India, and to neutralize service tax on services received/rendered abroad are being worked out in consultation with the Department of Commerce.
by rakesh | May 9, 2007 | India News
The Minister of External Affairs, Shri Pranab Mukherjee informed the Lok Sabha today in a reply to a Starred question that a number of decisions have been taken to simplify the Passport Issuance Procedures with effect from 23 December 2006.
These guidelines have made the issuance of passports simpler and speedier for the passport applicants. The average time taken for issuing a passport is now 30 days subject to completion of requisite formalities.
Salient features of the new scheme are as under:
1 Revised Rules relating to issue/reissue of passports
Presently fresh passports are issued under Normal and Tatkal categories – (1) Under first category, passports are issued on receipt of clear police verification reports and (2) Under the Tatkal scheme, a passport valid for 10 years is issued on the basis of a Verification Certificate (VC) obtained from the authorities indicated in para 2(B) and on payment of additional fee of Rs. 1500/- in case the applicants desire to have the passports in 1-7 days (as opposed to the earlier slab of 1-10 days) and additional fee of Rs. 1000/- in case the applicant desires to have the passport in 8-14 days (as opposed to the earlier time slab of 11-20 days).
Under the Tatkal scheme, passports are issued on post-police verification basis OR on submission of (i) three documents from the list of following 14 documents given at 2(A), provided one of the three documents is a photo identity document and at least one of the three is amongst the documents indicated at (a) to (i) below, and (ii) a standard affidavit duly attested by a Notary:
2(A) List of 14 documents:
a) Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
by rakesh | May 8, 2007 | India News
According to information received from the State Governments and NCT Delhi, 179 cases were registered against the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) under various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code, Explosive Substances Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, Arms Act, Essential Services Act, etc. These cases are at different stages of trial in the courts. However, the activities of SIMI are under constant watch of law enforcement agencies.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Home, Shri Sriprakash Jaiswal in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
by rakesh | May 7, 2007 | Health & Fitness
The National Level Expert Group in its report submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court has provided details of possible harmful effects of
(i) Soft drinks/beverages and obesity
(ii) Soft drinks/beverages and dental health
(iii)Other health related effects due to consumption of soft drinks/beverages
(iv) Contents of soft drinks/beverages
– Caffeine
– Phosphoric Acid
– Ethylene glycol
– Aspartame
– Carbon Dioxide
The said report is based on research carried out on scientific basis in various countries of the world. However, the group has noted that the studies to establish co-relationship between consumption of carbonated water and its effects on health are extremely difficult as it involves several compounding factors. The group has recommended that there is a need to carry out well-controlled studies to assess effect of consumption of carbonated water on health.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi on 4th May, 2007 in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
by rakesh | May 3, 2007 | India News
Some pirates had hijacked an Indian ship M.V. Nehm Tulah alongwith its 14 members crew on 1st April, 2007.
As per reports received from the owners of the vessel, the vessel, cargo and all the 14 crew members have been released at around 1120 hours Indian Standard Time on 6th April, 2007. The crew comprising all Indian nationals are safe. The Government is not aware of any conditions attached to the release of the said vessel.
The Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai had issued a circular on 27th April, 2006 informing all concerned about the incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships especially in the vicinity of the Somalian coast where incidents of piracy and attacks on ships have been on the rise. The Indian National Ship owners Association (INSA) and Federation of All India Sailing Vessels Industry Association have also been informed to convey to their members that they should keep away from the Somalian coast.
Subsequently, the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai issued another circular on 8th January, 2007 drawing attention of the shipping fraternity and seafaring community of attacks against ships in Somalian waters. This circular also contained detailed guidelines to avoid such attacks and acts of piracy.
This information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri T.R. Baalu in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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