NATIONAL
SC allows photos of CMs, Governors in Govt Ads
The Supreme Court has allowed publication of photographs of Governors, Chief Ministers and the Ministers of the department concerned in government advertisements. Ruling in this regard was on 18 March given by a SC bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi on pleas by Union Government and states which had sought review of the Supreme Court judgement. This ruling of Supreme Court has modified its earlier 2015 order which only had permitted photographs of President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the government advertisements.
National Waterways Bill Passed By Parliament
Parliament on 9 March passed the National Waterways Bill, which provides for declaring certain inland waterways as national waterways with the Rajya Sabha giving its nod to the legislation. The bill, passed by Lok Sabha in December 2015, also repeals the five acts on the existing national waterways, which will not be covered under this bill. Under it, 106 additional inland waterways will be added to the list of national waterways, taking the number to 111.
Union Govt Announces To withdraw Tax Proposal on EPF
The Union Finance Ministry has announced to withdraw its proposal to tax Employee Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawals. It was announced by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 8 March in the Lok Sabha clarifying NDA government’s stand on the issue. However, government has not changed its plan to tax National Pension Scheme (NPS) withdrawals. Earlier in the Union Budget 2016-17, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed to tax EPF and NPS withdrawals with an effect from 1 April 2016. It was announced that 60 percent of the amount deposited in EPF account of the employee would be taxed at the time of withdrawal and remaining 40 percent would be tax free.
PM Narendra Modi Launches ‘Setu Bharatam’ Project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 March launched Rs 50,000-crore “Setu Bharatam” Project to make all national highways free of railway cross-ings by 2019. This project will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 208 places have been identified for construction of rail over-bridges (ROB) or underpasses under the project. Around 1,500 bridges that are over 50 to 60 years old or of the British era will be overhauled and will be rebuilt. More than 50 thousand crore rupees will be spent on the project.
Swachh Paryatan app Launched
The Swachh Paryatan mobile app on 22 March launched by Union Tourism Ministery Mahesh Sharma to Facilitate public, to complaint about Unclean area and Garbage piles in and around tourist places. Initially 25 Adarsh Monuments identified by Archaeological Survey are included in app. The app enables to take Photograph of garbage and Upload with a remark to ASI of concern Nodal officer. This app is available for only Android Phones.