Government accepts Justice AP Shah Committee report on MAT on Foreign Institutional Investors

The government has accepted Justice AP Shah Committee report on the Minimum Alternate Tax, MAT, on Foreign Institutional Investors, FIIs. Shah panel’s recommendations were applicable only for FIIs and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and did not pertain to cases involving foreign direct investment (FDI).
In May, the government set up a panel headed by Justice AP Shah to suggest ways to resolve the MAT dispute as well as some other tax issues. Tax authorities had issued MAT notices to foreign portfolio investors in 2014 which claim of 600 crore rupees. MAT has been levied on all companies except those in infrastructure and power sectors, since late 1980s.

Railways launch paperless unreserved ticketing mobile application for the passengers

Ministry of Railways has launched a paperless unreserved ticketing mobile application for the passengers travelling from New Delhi to Palwal Section on 1st September, 2015. Now the passengers can buy unreserved tickets through their smart phones and need not visit Stations to purchase tickets.
Besides, the Railways has also installed a Cash or Smart Card ticket vending machine at New Delhi Railway Station to provide unreserved tickets with a view to cater to passenger rush. Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu started both the facilities at a function organised at Rail Bhawan 1st September, 2015

Kuruksheta district administration to launch on 1st September, 2015 ‘My Target, My Aim,’ a scheme for girl students

In Haryana, Kuruksheta district administration will launch ‘My Target, My Aim,’ a scheme for girl students under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme. Under this scheme, the girls would get a chance to get practical knowledge about their career choice. Officials from over 20 departments would teach the girls about the working of their respective departments.

Sikh man named ‘Australian of the Day’ for feeding homeless

An Indian-origin Sikh migrant driver in Australia has been named ‘Australian of the Day’ for feeding the homeless in Darwin for the past three years. Tejinder Pal Singh has dedicated on 30th August, 2015 to feed the poor and homeless locals of northern Darwin after he finishes his shift as a cabbie. He cooks up 30 kilogrammes of Indian cuisine to feed the homeless after his night shift. The free lunch that Singh offers comprises chickpeas, rice and vegetarian curry.

India wins UNESCO award for conserving major temple in Kerala

India has won the top UNESCO prize ‘Award of Excellence’ 2015 for the remarkable conservation efforts of the majestic Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala, the UN body announced 1st September, 2015. The Award of Excellence for the conservation of Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, won this year’s top prize in the Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

Current Affair One Liners:

  • Senior IAS officer Raghav Chandra has taken over as the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) 1st September, 2015.
  • The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry on 30th August, 2015 will launch SAHAJ online LPG connections to give more convenience to new LPG consumers.
  • To mark the ‘Sanskrit Diwas‘ celebrations on 30th August, public broadcaster Doordarshan News has launched an exclusive Facebook page and a Twitter handle in the that language. ‘Sanskrit Diwas’ is celebrated on 29th August.
  • India wins Cricket Test series on Sri Lankan soil after 22 years; Defeat hosts by 117-runs in the third and final Test at Colombo; Cheteshwar Pujara was named Man of the match for his unbeaten 145 in the first innings and Ravichandran Ashwin win was adjudged  Man of the Series for his 21 wickets.