Finance Ministry notifies GST rate cuts on Covid medicines, kits
The Finance Ministry has reduced the GST rate for several Covid-19 relief items, including medicines, hand sanitizers, pulse oximeters and temperature checking equipment. The lowered rates will be effective till September 30.
The decision to cut GST was taken at the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on June 12. In its meeting on May 28, the Council decided to set up a Group of Ministers to recommend tax relief on these essentials. The GoM submitted its report on June 7.
Source - Business Line
Hungary passes law banning LGBT content in schools or kids’ TV
Hungary’s parliament has passed a law banning gay people from featuring in school educational materials or TV shows for under-18s, as Viktor Orbán’s ruling party intensified its campaign against LGBT rights.
Despite a boycott of the vote by some opposition politicians, the outcome was expected, as Fidesz has a healthy majority and the plans were supported by the far-right Jobbik party.
Source - The Guardian
Delhi HC grants bail to three in the UAPA FIR pertaining to the Delhi Riots case
The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, granted bail to student activists Natasha Narwal, Devanagana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha in the northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case filed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
The court observed that the “line between the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest and terrorist activity seems to be getting somewhat blurred.” Justices Siddharth Mridul and Anup Jairam Bhambani granted bail, noting that the allegations do not hold under Sections 15 (Terrorist act), 17 (Raising funds for terrorist act) and 18 (Conspiracy) of the UAPA.
Source - Indian Express
Centre confirms 1 death due to vaccine, says "benefits outweigh risks"
A 68-year-old man, fully vaccinated, died on March 31 and it has been labelled as "vaccine product related reaction" in a report assessing 31 severe cases. The report is by the National Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) committee under the Union Health Ministry. Of the 31 cases, 28 are deaths.
"This is the first death where causality has been established, with the vaccine resulting in an anaphylaxis reaction. 31 cases were investigated and one death was due to the vaccine, and among anaphylaxis cases, only two were found to be product-related. Most anaphylaxis reactions are managed," said NK Arora, Advisor, National AEFI Committee.
Source - NDTV
Need the 2nd dose of Covishield sooner? See who qualifies
The second dose of Covishield can be administered to people travelling abroad for work, education or sports before the prescribed 84 days interval, the government said in a statement, but it must be administered after at least 28 days.
The move will help people travelling abroad within the 84 days interval for studies or work and also help sportspersons in India's contingent to the Tokyo Olympics.
Source - NDTV
PM Narendra Modi at UN: India to restore 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land by 2030
India is working towards restoring 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land by 2030 and assisting fellow developing countries to develop land-restoration strategies, PM Narendra Modi said at a high-level United Nations dialogue on Monday.
"In India, over the last 10 years, around 30 lakh hectares of forest cover has been added. This has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one-fourth of the country's total area," the prime minister said.
Source - NDTV
Last date to link Aadhaar Card-PAN Card is June 30
The government has set the last date for linking the PAN with the Aadhaar Card as June 30, 2021. In case the PAN card is not linked with the Aadhaar Card, it is likely to become inoperative and may attract a late fee of INR 1,000.
It is now compulsory to link the Aadhaar number with PAN in order to complete income-tax-related activities such as filing returns on income.
How to link PAN with Aadhaar Card online?
Log on to the income tax return e-filing website - www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
Click on the 'link Aadhaar' option on the webpage
Enter your correct PAN, Aadhaar Number, and full name (as given in the Aadhaar Card) in the designated fields.
Enter the other details in the designated field such as date of birth
Enter the correct captcha code
Choose the relevant option and click on the 'link Aadhaar' button at the bottom of the webpage
Source - NDTV
Anyone aged 18+ can walk-in for CoWin registration, vaccination: Government
The government seeks to increase the pace of vaccinations and tackle the 'vaccine hesitancy' which it has blamed for the slow rollout of vaccines in parts of the country, including the rural areas.
This was after two incidents - one from Uttar Pradesh, where an elderly woman hid behind a drum to dodge a vaccination team, and another from Madhya Pradesh, where a vaccination team was attacked by villagers - highlighted hesitancy reported from rural and tribal-dominated areas.
Source - NDTV
Exports jump 69% to USD 32.27 billion in May, trade deficit widens to USD 6.28 billion
The country's trade deficit in goods widened to USD 6.28 billion in May 2021, from USD 3.15 billion during the corresponding period last year, according to government data released on June 15. Merchandise exports jumped 69.35% in May from a year earlier to USD 32.27 billion, while imports were up 73.64% to USD 38.55 billion, showed foreign trade data released by the Ministry of Commerce.
Source - NDTV
Like what you read? Share this article with your friends and follow us on:
Instagram | Medium | Facebook | LinkedIn