INDIA & CYPRUS SIGN WORK PLAN FOR COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE
India and Cyprus today signed Work Plan for 2017-18 for cooperation in the agriculture sector. The work plan was signed after a meeting of Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh with his Cyprus counterpart Nicos Kouyialis in New Delhi.
An official release said, it covers areas such as joint research projects, training and exchange programme for scientists ,technology and promotion of private sector participation.During the meeting, Mr Singh said, the government is working not only to accelerate agricultural production to meet the rising demand for food, but also to increase the income of those dependent on agriculture.
He said, the government has set a target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 and briefly highlighted the initiatives taken in this regard. Mr Singh thanked the Cyprus minister for his visit to India saying that it has provided an opportunity to further enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
ISRAELI AIR STRIKE HITS IRANIAN ARMS SUPPLY DEPOT IN DAMASCUS
Syria, Israeli air strikes hit an arms supply hub operated by the Lebanese Hezbollah group near Damascus airport where regular supplies of weapons from Tehran are sent by commercial and military cargo planes.
The source said the arms depot gets a major part of the weapons supplied to an array of Iranian backed militias, led by Hezbollah, which have thousands of fighters engaged in some of the toughest fronts against Syrian rebels.
Witnesses said a total of five strikes occurred near the Damascus airport road early today. The airport lies about 25 kilometers south-east of Syria’s capital. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the blast was huge and could be heard in Damascus. The blast was reportedly followed by a large fire. There is no word on casualties.
SC: LOKPAL BILL IS A WORKABLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION
Supreme Court today said, Lokpal Bill is a workable piece of legislation and it is not justifiable to keep its operation pending.
A bench of Justices, Ranjan Gogoi and Naveen Sinha, while referring to an earlier judgment of the apex court said, Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013 is a workable piece of legislation and it is not justifiable to keep this pending.
The apex court had reserved its verdict last month on a batch of pleas seeking the appointment of Lokpal in the country.
The plea by NGO, Common Cause had sought a direction to the Centre to make the appointment of chairperson and members of Lokpal as per the amended rules framed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
As per the Act, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha will be part of the Lokpal selection panel. At present, there is no Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
1ST MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT POLICY FOR DEFENCE SUPPLY
1st Meeting of the Committee for Review of Public Procurement Policy for Defence Supply on 1st May, 2017.
Dear
Government has constituted the above committee to connect MSMEs with Defence Procurement and I am pleased to inform that FISME has been taken as a permanent member of the Committee.
As you may be aware, the present public procurement policy for MSMEs reserve 20% of Government purchases from MSMEs, however, defence procurement has not been included in the policy.
By this initiative Government may have started stakeholders’ consultation on the feasibility of reserving some percentage of defence purchases from MSMEs.
We request your comments and past experiences on the barriers MSMEs generally face in defence supplies.
As the meeting of the Committee is slated on 1st May, 2017, we request your inputs by 27th April, 2017
Yours faithfully,
(C S Prakash)
Chairman
MSME Defence Suppliers’ Group
IT’S A WROGN TIE-UP WITH ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
New Delhi, April 27, 2017: India’s most promising celebrity fashion and lifestyle brand WROGN is associated with Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) as the official lifestyle clothing partner for the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League. Off field the RCB players will be seen in WROGN merchandise and while on field their caps and helmets will sport the WROGN logo.
WROGN merchandise is designed to complement the team’s playbold philosophy and makes a fearless, daring & heroic fashion statement. WROGN’s in-stadia branding will also add colour to the home ground and will augment the vibrant and lively atmosphere during the matches.
This annual association will be promoted by both partners through their digital properties; their official site and social media channels. Additionally, the brand has comprehensive plans to engage and interact with RCB fans and WROGN customersat WROGN outlets across the country. All customers of WROGN clothing will also be entitled to tickets to the RCB matches. Fans are of assured free tickets to watch live RCB matches in Bangalore by purchasing clothing /merchandise worth Rs.5000/- and above from the WROGN line.
Announcing the tie-up, Anjana Reddy, CEO, WROGN said, “T20 is the most celebrated cricket format in the world and we are excited to partner with RCB, a strong contender this season that is brimming with youth, talent and has always kept fans entertained. The WROGN brand ethos of being bold and dynamic matches that of the RCB and this partnership will give the fans and our customer’s opportunities to engage. From all of us WROGN we wish the RCB team all the very best.”
Commenting on this association, Amrit Thomas, Chairman, RCB said, “WROGN and RCB are a bold brand fit. We are excited to see RCB’s personality getting reflected through the fashionable lifestyle sensibility of WROGN. We hope to see our fans come to the stadium dressed in RCB Jersey and WROGN apparel to cheer their favourite team.”
MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISE FACILITATION COUNCIL (MSEFC) PORTAL AND MYMSME MOBILE APP LAUNCHED
On the occasion of the 15th Meeting of the National Board for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Hon’ble Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, launched two important initiatives of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), viz. Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council (MSEFC) portal and MyMSME Mobile App.
Key Features of Micro and Small Enterprise Facilitation Council (MSEFC) Portal and MyMSME Mobile App
a) Micro and Small Enterprise Facilitation Council (MSEFC) Portal
v Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council (MSEFC) portal expected to be a significant step in the direction of Digital India from the perspective of the MSME Sector in the country. The MSEFC portal on http://msefc.msme.gov.in, would facilitate implementation of the delayed payment provisions of the MSMED Act 2006 and also assist in monitoring of delayed payment cases.
v With the access to this platform, micro and small enterprises would be able to file their delayed payment related grievances online. The grievance filed would be communicated through email and SMS to the parties involved. It would also help officers of the Ministry of MSME as well as the State Government concerned in monitoring the progress of cases both at the State and National levels. Also, the online portal would be of great help to start-ups since delayed payment is probably the single biggest problem for start-ups.
b) MyMSME Mobile App
v MyMSME mobile app on http://my.msme.gov.in would provide information on all schemes implemented by the Ministry of MSME at one place. With the help of MyMSME mobile app Ministry of MSME would be providing one single window to MSMEs to access information on all schemes implemented by the Ministry and as well as apply for any of them. And MSMEs can also lodge grievances pertaining to Ministry of MSME through this app.
CBEC EXTENDS SERVICE TAX RETURN FILING DATE FROM APRIL 25TH 2017 TO APRIL 30TH 2017
Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) extends service tax
return filing date from April 25th 2017 to April 30th 2017
return filing date from April 25th 2017 to April 30th 2017
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rule(4) of the Service Tax Rules, 1994, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has extended the date for submission of the form ST-3 for the period from October 1st to March 31st, 2017 from April 25th, 2017 to April 30th, 2017.
According to Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), this is a “circumstances of a special nature” for which the last date for filing is being extended as the assessees faced “intermittent difficulties” in accessing the ACES (Automation of Central Excise and Service Tax) website on April 25th 2017.
CHINA’S DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS RESOLUTELY OPPOSED TO ANY COUNTRY SELLING ARMS TO TAIWAN
China’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday it was resolutely opposed to any country selling arms to Taiwan. Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun made the comment at a monthly news briefing in Beijing when asked on the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets from the United States to Taiwan. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said earlier on Thursday that Taiwan may need to buy the F-35s, the most advanced stealth jet the United States has.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said it was pointless discussing at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders China’s building of artificial islands in the South China Sea, and no one dared pressure Beijing anyway. Duterte told reporters it was also not worth discussing with counterparts of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) last year’s international arbitration ruling, which invalidated China’s claim to most of the South China Sea. He said the Philippines, which is ASEAN chair this year, could not alone force China to abide by it. The summit will be held this week.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged an end to US-South Korean military maneuvers Wednesday as well as a stop to North Korea’s nuclear program to calm tensions on the peninsula. He said Pyongyang’s continuing nuclear tests were “a clear violation of UN resolutions,” but stressed that persisting with military maneuvers around the peninsula “is not in the spirit of the resolutions either.” Security and stability “are very fragile at the moment and the danger is great of a new conflict breaking out at any time,” Wang said at a joint press conference with German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel.
VINOD KHANNA IS NO MORE
VinodKhanna is no more. The reactions from friends, colleagues, admirers pour in, with the news of his death spread across social media. He was not keeping well for some time and was hospitalized in April & breathed his last today. His extended family members lost hope from last couple of days due to his deteriorating health conditions and were too perturbed. Most of his family members were in business the brother and sister family. Actor entertained millions of his fans. He was member of Lok Sabha passes away today at 11:20 AM.
Actor-turned-politician Vinod Khanna, a four-time MP from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab, was popularly known as “Sardar of bridges” for connecting remote villages in his constituency. 70-year-old Khanna died of bladder cancer at a hospital in Mumbai today.
Khanna, a sitting Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab, was recently admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Girgaon, Mumbai,career spanning over five decades. Considered as one of the most powerful and debonair actor, Khanna started off as a villain and went on to become a star as a leading man in dozens of films including Mere Apne, Amar Akbar Anthony, Khoon Pasina, Parvarish, Insaaf, Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Qurbani and Satyamev Jayaate. In the 1980s, at the peak of his career, he quit films to join Osho’s ashram.
The handsome star was born in a Punjabi family to Kamla and Kishanchand Khanna, a textiles, dyes and chemicals businessman, on 6 October 1946, in Peshawar. Shortly after his birth, India was partitioned and the family left Peshawar and came to Mumbai.
As the news of his death spread, his constituency went into a state of mourning. Suave and easy to mingle with voters, Khanna was always a crowd puller in his constituency.
He even bought a house in the region so that he could have easy access to the people of his constituency. He had demanded a special package for border districts to create employment opportunities and promote adventure and spiritual tourism in his border constituency during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
He even bought a house in the region so that he could have easy access to the people of his constituency. He had demanded a special package for border districts to create employment opportunities and promote adventure and spiritual tourism in his border constituency during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Actor joined BJP, Khanna was fielded from Gurdaspur parliamentary seat in 1998. He met the expectations of the saffron party when he unseated veteran Congress leader and five-time MP Sukhbuns Kaur Bhinder with a handsome margin. Khanna, who appeared in over 140 films, including “Haath ki Safai”, “Hera Pheri” and “Muqaddar Ka Sikander”, again trounced Bhinder in 1999 and 2004 Lok Sabha polls.
However, he had to taste defeat in 2009 Lok Sabha elections when he was defeated by Congress candidate Partap Singh Bajwa. Khanna took his ‘sweet revenge’ in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he thrashed Bajwa with a margin of over 1.30 lakh votes.
Vinod Khanna’s mortal remains are to the Worli crematorium.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu has condoled the demise of veteran actor and BJP MP Vinod Khanna.
Mr. Naidu said, he is pained by the sad demise of Vinod Khanna. He said, he was hoping that Khanna will recover.
The Minister said, the film industry has lost a good actor and the BJP, a good parliamentarian.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has expressed grief over the demise of actor turned politician Vinod Khanna. He described him as a great actor and a gentleman politician.
BJP President Amit Shah has condoled the passing away of Vinod Khanna. In a series of tweets, Mr. Shah said with demise of Khanna the country has not only lost an actor par excellence but an outstanding politician. He said it is an irreparable loss for Indian cinema and the BJP.
The BJP Chief said the actor will remain in people hearts through his peerless acting and service as a Parliamentarian.
Arun Jaitleyarunjaitley
Condolences on sad demise of veteran actor & BJP MP Shri #VinodKhanna ji, may God render peace to the departed soul & solace to his family.
Sad to learn about the passing away of #VinodKhanna Sir,one of the most charismatic actors…truly end of an era.Condolences to the family
As a mark of respect to our beloved #VinodKhanna the entire team of Baahubali has decided to cancel the premiere tonight: Karan Johar
Great actor, successful politician, worthy senior and a dear friend – can’t believe #VinodKhanna ji is no more. May his soul rest in peace.
Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi has condoled the sad demise of veteran film actor and Member of Parliament, Shri Vinod Khanna.
Remembering him as a gifted actor who dominated the silver screen with his outstanding persona, She said that Vinodji had a rare and profound influence over the masses by his simple and charismatic character.
In this hour of grief Smt Gandhi has expressed solidarity with Shri Khanna’s family and prayed for the departed soul.
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