19-20 JUNE 2016

PM Modi outlines RAPID, a five-point charter for tax administrators at the Rajasva Gyan Sangam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 June 2016 outlined RAPID, a five-point charter for tax administrators to reform and to expand the net base of the direct tax. He announced it during the inauguration of Rajasva Gyan Sangam in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister outlined the RAPID as

R - Revenue,

A - Accountability,

P - Probity,

I – Information

D - Digitization.

Salient Features of RAPID

• It will help to focus on digitization, voluntary tax compliance, facilitation for taxpayers, increasing the tax base, upgradation of digital and physical infrastructure for tax administrators etc.

• It seeks to bring reform to India’s old and redundant revenue administration.

• It makes the tax system accessible and easier for the tax payers. Besides, it also makes it difficult to the defaulters.

• The need of economic reforms in the revenue sector to enhance the respect for the law of the land amongst common citizens is also considered.

Rajasva Gyan Sangam

• This is the first time that the two revenue boards the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), are holding a simultaneous conference.

• It is a national conference that helps to assess the performance of the previous year and deliberate on emerging issues without any hierarchical barriers.

• During the conference, PM Modi stressed on the need for tax administrators to engender trust in the system and demonstrate the leadership to bring about a change in taxing system.

• He also urged the officers to turn the Gyan Sangam into a Karma Sangam, so that the ideas generated from this conference lead to concrete action on the ground.

Australia won Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016

Australia on 18 June 2016 won Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. It defeated India 1-0 in a shoot-out.

The game finished with the score locked at 0-0 but later Australia scored a goal in the shoot-out reducing the score to 1-0 and won the final match to win the Gold medal. Australia’s Blake Govers missed a penalty stroke, while India was dominant in the third and fourth quarter before losing the shoot-out.

With this victory, Australia claimed the Champions Trophy title for the 14th time.

Germany defeated Great Britain to win the bronze medal.

Final standings - Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016

1: Australia

2: India

3: Germany

4: Great Britain

5: Belgium

6: Korea

Individual Awards

Best player: Tobias Hauke (Germany)

Best junior player: Harmanpreet Singh (India)

Best goalkeeper: George Pinner (Great Britain)

Top scorer: Marco Miltkau (Germany)

20 June

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg won 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe

Nico Rosberg of Germany on 19 June 2016 won the European Grand Prix Formula 1 championship in Baku, Azerbaijan.

To win the title, the Mercedes driver overcame Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany in the final race.

In this championship, Rosberg completed second career Grand Slam. Prior to him, only Lewis Hamilton, Mika Hakkinen, Jack Brabham and Juan Manuel Fangio could able to achieve this rare feat.

He recorded the first career Grand Slam in Russian Grand Prix in May 2016. Grand Slam in Formula One racing denotes winning a race from pole while leading every lap and scoring the fastest lap.

For Rosberg, it was the first European title and the 5th title in 2016 season as he stood as the champion in Austria, Bahrain, China and Russia also.

Overall, it was the 19th title since the beginning of his career in 2006.

About European Grand Prix

• The Formula 1 event was introduced during the mid-1980s. It was held regularly between 1999 and 2012.

• The race was removed from the calendar in 2013. In 2016, the race returned, being run on a street circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

• In earlier years, the European Grand Prix was not a race in its own right but just an honorific title.

• The first race to be so named was the 1923 Italian Grand Prix, held at Monza and won by Carlo Salamano in a Fiat and the last one was the 1977 British Grand Prix.

• Since its reintroduction, the European Grand Prix has usually been held in a country in Europe that also holds a national Grand Prix in that same year.

India won Silver medal at Archery World Cup in Antalya

The Indian mixed recurve team of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das on 19 June 2016 won silver at the Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey.

In the final clash at Konyaalti Beach Park, the Indian team lost to South Korea 1-5.

Indian team trailed 0-2 in the first set against the top-seed Korean pair of Choi Misun and Ku Bonchan and went down 1-5 in the final.

The Sixth seeded Indian duo reached final after beating second-seeded pair of Mauro Nespoli Guendalina Sartori 5-1 in straight sets in the semi-finals.

Earlier, the women's recurve team of Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi Laishram and Laxmirani Majhi also went down in the bronze medal clash to Italy 1-5.

Bipin R Patel appointed as President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Businessman Bipin R Patel was on 18 June 2016 appointed as the President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for the term 2016-17. He succeeds Rohit J Patel.

The decision in this regard was taken during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the GCCI. In another development, Shailesh Patwari was appointed as the Senior Vice-President of the chamber.

About Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI)
• The Chamber was founded in 1949 by Kasturbhai Lalbhai and Amrutlal Hargovandas, pioneers of industrial Gujarat.
• It is registered as a Society under the Society Registration Act, 1860.
• It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry and trade in Gujarat, partnering both of them through advisory processes.
• It has 2983 direct members which include over 176 Trade and Industry Associations and leading Chambers of Commerce of the State.

India, South Korea launches Korea Plus, an initiative to strengthen relations

India and South Korea on 18 June 2016 launched a special initiative, Korea Plus. The initiative aims at promoting and facilitating Korean Investments in India.

The platform was launched by the Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Joo Hyunghwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy, Government of Korea.

Key facts of Korea Plus

• The mandate of Korea Plus covers the entire investment spectrum including supporting Korean enterprises entering the Indian market for the first time.

• It will look into issues faced by Korean companies doing business in India and policy advocacy to the Union Government on their behalf.

• It will act as a mediator in arranging meetings, assisting in public relations and research/evaluation

• It will provide information and counselling in regard to Korean companies’ investing in India.

It comprises of a representative from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy, Government of Korea and representative from Korea Trade Investment and Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Besides, it also includes three representatives from Invest India.

Background

The two nations inked an MoU for establishing Korea Plus in January 2016. This MOU came as an outcome of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to South Korea in May 2015.

URJA Mobile app launched to enhance consumer connect with Urban Power Distribution sector

Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal on 16 June 2016 launched the URJA Mobile application.

The URJA, which stands for Urban Jyoti Abhiyaan, was launched on the on the side-lines of Conference of Power Ministers at Cansaulim in South Goa.

Key features of URJA Mobile app

• It seeks to enhance consumer connect with the Urban Power Distribution sector.

• This objective will be achieved by providing information of IT enabled towns on important parameters which concern the consumers.

• The key parameters include outage information, timely release of connections, addressing complaints, power reliability etc.

• It was developed by Power Finance Corporation Ltd on behalf of Ministry of Power.

Renowned Educationalist Jeppiaar passes away

Jeppiaar, a renowned politician-turned-educationalist and founder of Jeppiaar Educational Trust, passed away on 18 June 2016 following a brief illness at Chennai. He was 85.

He was originally named as Jesadimai Pangiraj. He was a pioneer in the setting up of private engineering institutions in Tamil Nadu and was the founder chancellor of Sathyabama University.

About Jeppiaar
• He started his career as a police man.
• He was AIADMK secretary of the Chennai District from 1972 to 1987 and had also served as a Special Envoy to the then Chief Minister MG Ramachandran.
• Besides, he successfully produced seven Tamil movies, directed one movie in Tamil and was featured as the hero in a Tamil flick.
• He was the only non-official member to have occupied the post of chairman of the Madras Water Supply and Sewage Board and later served as Director of Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation.
• Later, he began to be known as a pioneer for setting up engineering institutions at Chennai in the late 80s.
• He was the president of the consortium of professional arts and science colleges of Tamil Nadu.
• In 1987, he founded the Sathyabama Engineering College which later became Sathyabama University.
• He had a law degree from Madras University following which he pursued a Master of Arts degree from Mysore University and a his doctoral degree in Anna University on Water Resource Management.

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed

19 June: International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

First International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed on 19 June 2016. The day was observed to raise awareness for the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence.

It calls to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.

Conflict-related sexual violence

The term “conflict-related sexual violence” refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization and forced marriage. It also includes any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is directly or indirectly linked (temporally, geographically or causally) to a conflict.

United Nations resolution

On 19 June 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/69/293) proclaimed 19 June of each year the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

The date was chosen to commemorate the adoption on 19 June 2008 of Security Council resolution 1820 (2008), in which the Council condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peace building.

UN Action

To end sexual violence during and in the wake of armed conflict, the United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) brings together 13 UN entities.

Launched in 2007, it represents a concerted effort by the United Nations to ‘deliver as one’ – improving coordination and accountability, amplifying advocacy and supporting country-level efforts to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and respond more effectively to the needs of survivors.

UN Action is chaired by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, a post held by Zainab Hawa Bangura since September 2012.

World Refugee Day observed on 20 June

20 June: World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day was observed on 20 June 2016. It is observed annually to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solve refugee problems.

ALSO Read: Understanding European Refugee Crisis

It also recognises contributions of the refugees made to the countries that host them.

Refugees

According to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, refugee is a person who fled his or her home and country owing to a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

ALSO Read: Kenya to close Dadaab, world's biggest refugee camp

Many refugees are in exile to escape the effects of natural or human-made disasters.

Developing countries host four-fifths of the world’s refugees. The 48 Least Developed Countries prvide asylum to 2.3 million refugees.

United Nations Resolution

The UN General Assembly via its resolution 55/76 on 4 December 2000 decided to observe the World Refugee Day on 20 June every year. On this day of adoption of the resolution the General Assembly also noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June.

As per United Nations, every minute eight people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror.

Sri Lankan pacer Shaminda Eranga suspended by ICC for illegal action

International Cricket Council (ICC) on 19 June 2016 suspended Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Shaminda Eranga from bowling. He was suspended after an assessment of his bowling action.

The assessment revealed that all deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.

The test was performed on 6 June 20156 at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough, which is an ICC accredited testing centre.

Eranga, who has played 41 times for Sri Lanka across all three formats, was reported after the second Test against England at Chester-le-Street on 31 May 2016.

In accordance with Article 6.1 of the regulations, Eranga’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. But he can play domestic cricket in Sri Lanka, with the consent of the country's cricket board.

He can also apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

NASA unveils X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on 17 June 2016 unveiled the iconic X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane nicknamed asMaxwell.

The plane is fixed with 14 electric motors turning propellers and all of them are integrated into a uniquely-designed wing. NASA will use this plane to test new propulsion technology.

Highlights of X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane
• The airplane is named after James Clerk Maxwell, the 19th century Scottish physicist who did groundbreaking work in electromagnetism.
• The artist's concept of the X-57 shows the plane's specially designed wing and 14 electric motors.
• NASA Aeronautics researchers will use the Maxwell to demonstrate that how electric propulsion can make planes quieter, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
• Maxwell will be powered only by batteries, eliminating carbon emissions and demonstrating how demand would shrink for lead-based aviation fuel still in use by general aviation.
• Energy efficiency at cruise altitude using X-57 technology could benefit travellers by reducing flight times, fuel usage, as well as reducing overall operational costs for small aircraft.
• Moreover, X-57’s electric propulsion technology is expected to significantly decrease aircraft noise, making it less annoying to the public.

Comment
With the return of piloted X-planes to NASA’s research capabilities, the general aviation-sized X-57 will take the first step in opening a new era of aviation.

The first X-plane was the X-1, which in 1947 became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. The X-1 project defined and solidified the post-war cooperative union between US military needs, industrial capabilities and research facilities.

NASA unveils X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on 17 June 2016 unveiled the iconic X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane nicknamed asMaxwell.

India gets first women fighter pilots; Commissioned 3 pilots in Batch-1

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on 18 June 2016 commissioned first three women fighter pilots. The batch of pilots was inducted at the Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy, Dundigal near Hyderabad.

With this, India joined the select few nations in the world that have women fighter pilots in their Air Forces.

The first three women fighter pilots of India are –

• Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi

• Flying Officer Bhawana Kanth

• Flying Officer Mohana Singh

However, they will get to fly fighter jets like the Sukhoi and Tejas only in 2017 after their Stage III training at Bidar in Karnataka in 2017.

Background

• In October 2015, the Union Ministry of Defence approved the induction of women into the combat stream of Indian Air Force (IAF) on an experimental basis for five years.

• At present, around 1500 women serve in the Indian Air Force of which around 90 as pilots and about 15 as navigators.

• IAF had women in seven areas of administration, logistics, meteorology, navigation, education, aeronautical engineering mechanical and electrical and accounts.

• Earlier, the Air Force refused to allow women in fighter squadrons because of the fears of torture and rape, if they were shot down in combat.

• Combat roles in the Army and the Navy are still off limits due to a combination of operational concerns and logistical constraints.

India, Thailand signed 2 agreements on cooperation in culture and education sectors

India and Thailand on 17 June 2016 signed two agreements that are aimed at enhancing cooperation in culture as well as educational sectors.

The set of agreements pertains to extension of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2016-19 and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nagaland University and Thailand’s Chiang Mai University.

The agreements were signed in New Delhi during the 3-day visit of Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha that concluded on 18 June 2016.

During the visit, he held talks with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a wide range of issues that are of concern for both the countries and the region as a whole.

At the end of the summit level meeting, a joint statement that mentioned cooperation in areas like maritime security, cyber security, military and intelligence cooperation among others.

India-Thailand relations

• India's relations with Thailand are an important and integral component of India's strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

• India's 'Act East' policy is complemented by Thailand's 'Look West' policy in bringing the two countries closer.

• They have strong economic synergies and the diversifying profile of growing bilateral trade and investment reflects the growth and maturity of the interaction between the two economies.

• Extensive people-to-people contacts are central to the India-Thailand relationship. In 2015, more than 1 million Indian tourists visited Thailand and over 100000 Thai tourists visited India.

• Two-way trade between India and Thailand stands at 8 billion US dollars. While export to Thailand from India is 2.63 billion US dollars, Thai imports reached 5.3 billion US dollars in 2015-16.

• Beginning from 2004, 29 rounds of talks for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were conducted so far.

• During the present visit, both the countries agreed to commence negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Union Government introduces Radical changes in FDI Policy regime; Grants 100% FDI in Defence Sector

The Union Government on 20 June 2016 radically changed the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy regime with the objective of providing major impetus to employment and job creation in India.

Changes introduced in the policy include increase in sectoral caps, bringing more activities under automatic route and easing of conditionality for foreign investment. These amendments seek to further simplify the regulations governing FDI in India.

Radical Changes in FDI Policy regime
• Radical Changes for promoting Food Products manufactured/produced in India: To permit 100 percent FDI under government approval route for trading in respect of food products manufactured in India.
• FDI in Defence Sector up to 100%: FDI beyond 49% has been permitted through government approval route, in cases resulting in access to modern technology. FDI limit for defence sector has also been made applicable to Manufacturing of Small Arms and Ammunitions covered under Arms Act, 1959.
• Review of Entry Routes in Broadcasting Carriage Services: 100 percent FDI allowed under automatic route for Teleports, Direct to Home, Cable Networks and Mobile TV. Moreover, infusion of FDI beyond 49% in a company not seeking permission from Ministry will result in change in the ownership pattern.
• Pharmaceutical Sector: 100% FDI under automatic route in Greenfield pharma, FDI up to 100% under government approval in Brownfield pharma and 74% FDI under automatic route in Brownfield pharmaceuticals.
• Civil Aviation Sector: To permit 100% FDI under automatic route in Brownfield Airport projects. In Scheduled Air Transport Service and regional Air Transport Service, it has now been decided to raise FDI limit to 100%. For NRIs, 100% FDI will continue to be allowed under automatic route.
• Private Security Agencies: FDI up to 49% is now permitted under automatic route in this sector and FDI beyond 49% and up to 74% would be permitted with government approval route.
• Establishment of branch office, liaison office or project office: No approval from Reserve Bank of India or separate security clearance would be required in cases where FIPB approval or license/permission by the concerned Ministry has already been granted.
• Animal Husbandry: It has been decided to do away with the requirement of controlled conditions for FDI in Animal Husbandry, Pisciculture, Aquaculture and Apiculture.
• Single Brand Retail Trading: It has been decided to relax local sourcing norms up to three years and a relaxed sourcing regime for entities undertaking Single Brand Retail Trading of products having cutting edge technology.

Comment
In last two years, Union Government has brought major Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy reforms in a number of sectors. Measures undertaken by the Government have resulted in increased FDI inflows at 55.46 billion US dollars in financial year 2015-16.

This is the highest ever FDI inflow for a particular financial year. However, it was felt that the country has potential to attract more FDI which can be achieved by further simplifying the FDI regime.