Demonetization: 5100 notices for verification of Jan Dhan bank accounts

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar stated in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha Tuesday. Following demonetization of specified bank notes on 8th November 2016, the Income Tax Department (ITD) has collected information of cash deposits in bank accounts, including Jan Dhan accounts. Such information has been compared with the profile of the persons based upon the information available in the data base of ITD. Based upon the analysis more than 5100 notices for verification of cash deposits in banks during the period from 9th November, 2016 to 10th January, 2017 including those in dormant and Jan Dhan accounts, have been issued. More than 1,100 search & seizure and survey actions have also been conducted, which led to seizure of valuables of more than Rs. 610 crore including cash of Rs. 513 crore. New currency of more than Rs 110 crore is part of the cash seizure. The undisclosed income detected in these actions (as on 10th January 2017) was more than Rs. 5,400 crore. Appropriate cases have been referred to Enforcement Directorate and CBI for necessary action.
A number of other measures have also been taken under ‘Operation Clean Money’ initiated by the ITD on 31st January 2017. Such measures include collection of information on cash transactions, collation and analysis of such information, extensive use of information technology and data analytic tools for identification of high risk cases, expeditious verification of suspect cases and enforcement action in appropriate cases, which include searches, surveys, enquiries, assessment of income, levy of taxes, penalties, etc. and filing of prosecution complaints in criminal courts, wherever applicable. 

‘काले धन वालों-फायदा उठा लो’

पीएमजीकेडीएस के तहत सरकार ने दिया मौका

प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्द्र मोदी के नेतृत्व वाली सरकार ने काले धन वालों को एक और मौका देते हुए कहा कि वे प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण जमा योजना में अपने काले धन की घोषणा करने वाले प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण जमा योजना में अपना पैसा जमा करा सकते हैं।
प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण जमा योजना (पीएमजीकेडीएस), 2016 में संशोधन; सरकार ने आय की घोषणा करने वालों को यह अनुमति देने का फैसला किया है कि वे पीएमजीकेडीएस, 2016 में एक या अधिक बार जमा कर सकते हैं । भारत सरकार ने भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक के परामर्श से अधिसूचना नं. एस.ओ.4061 (ई) तिथि 16 दिसंबर, 2016 के जरिए प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण योजना को अधिसूचित किया है। प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण योजना 2016 के अंतर्गत जिन लोगों ने छुपी हुई आय की घोषणा की थी वे इस योजना में रकम जमा कर सकते हैं। जमा शुदा रकम घोषित छुपी हुई आय के 25 प्रतिशत से अधिक नहीं होनी चाहिए। उसे अधिकृत बैंकों (भारत सरकार द्वारा अधिसूचित) में 17 दिसंबर, 2016 (शनिवार) से 31 मार्च, 2017 (शुक्रवार) तक जमा किया जा सकता है। इस संबंध में सरकार ने फैसला किया है कि आय की घोषणा करने वालों को यह अनुमति दी जाएं कि वे पीएमजीकेडीएस, 2016 में एक या अधिक बार जमा कर सकें। अधिसूचना के पैराग्राफ 4(4) निम्नलिखित संशोधन किया गया है-
‘4. बांड लैजर खातें में खरीद और निवेश का तरीका- (4), इस योजना की धारा 199ई, उप धारा (1) के अंतर्गत एक या अधिक बार जमा। धारा 199सी की उप धारा (1) के अंतर्गत घोषणा के पहले जमा कर दिया जाए।’

Jan Shakti: A Poor Become Prime Minister In India

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi Stating that there is something very special about 'Jan Shakti' – people’s power – the Prime Minister said that it is due to this 'Jan Shakti' that a person born in a poor family can become the Prime Minister of India.
The Prime Ministeri Narendra Modi replied to the motion of thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha. He thanked the various Members of the House, for adding vigour into the debate, and sharing insightful points. The Prime Minister said that there are many people like him, who may not have had the opportunity to die for the nation during the freedom struggle, but who, being born in free India, are living for, and serving the nation. Stating that faith in Jan Shakti will give good results, he called upon the Members to understand and appreciate the inherent strength of our people, and take India to newer heights. Explaining the rationale behind the advancement of the budget date, the Prime Minister said this would ensure better utilization of funds. Similarly, he said that the transport sector in the country now requires a comprehensive approach, which is possible by having just one Union Budget.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the change of discourse since he assumed office – stating that from a time when the discussion was on how much money is lost through scams, the discussion is now on how much black money has been recovered.  The Prime Minister declared that his struggle is for the poor, and this struggle to give the poor their due, will continue. He said that this Government does not see everything from the prism of elections, and the interests of the nation are supreme for the Government. Comparing demonetization to the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Prime Minister said it is a movement to clean India from corruption and black money. Responding to criticism of frequent changes in the rules related to demonetization, the Prime Minister said that this was done to stay a step ahead of those who wanted to find loopholes in the exercise. He noted that rules for MNREGA were also changed over a thousand times. The Prime Minister said steps like crop insurance have been taken in a way that facilitates and benefits farmers.The Prime Minister also praised the nation’s armed forces, and said that they are fully capable of defending the nation.

INDO-US Logistics Exchange Memorandum OF Agreement

The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was signed on 29.08.2016 between Ministry of Defence of the Republic of India and the Department of Defence of the United States of America.  LEMOA provides a framework for reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies and services for activities such as joint exercises, training or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.  It does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply  Rajya Sabha Tuesday.

Demonetisation for protect Indian economy

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal stated in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha Tuesday that matter to demonetise currency was under discussion and consultation with RBI for several months preceding 8th November, 2016.  The Government in a letter dated 7th November, 2016 requested RBI to consider cancellation of legal tender character of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denomination with the objective to eliminate black money and to curb the infusion and circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). Minister also tells that the Central Board of the Reserve Bank in its meeting held on November 8, 2016 deliberated in detail a proposal for withdrawal of legal tender status of banknotes in the denomination of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 of existing and any older series in circulation and after due examination recommended withdrawal of legal tender status of such notes.  The legal tender character of banknotes of the Specified Bank Notes in the denominations of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 in circulation as on the 8th November, 2016 was cancelled by the Central Government, on the recommendation of the Central Board of RBI, with effect from the expiry of the 8th November, 2016 in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 26 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934), with the objective to eliminate black money and to curb the infusion and circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN).
Mr. Meghwal stated that recent study by the Indian Statistical Institute in 2016, commissioned by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has estimated a steady infusion of FICN into the economy.  Reports have stated that the objective of infusing FICN into India is a combination of various factors that include destabilising the Indian economy, funding terrorists with the proceeds of FICN trade and using existing FICN network for subversive activities such as espionage, smuggling of arms and other contrabands into India.  These activities pose threat to the territorial integrity and financial stability of the country.  The Special Investigation Team (SIT)’s fifth report, mentions that large amount of unaccounted wealth is stored and used in the form of cash and also there have been huge cash recoveries by law-enforcement agencies, from time to time.
Minister tells that  the White Paper on Black Money by the Department of Revenue in 2012 mentions that cash has always been a facilitator of black money since transactions made in cash do not leave any audit trail.  It also quotes the estimates made by the World bank in July, 2010 wherein the size of the shadow economy for India has been estimated at 20.7% of the GDP in 1999 and rising to 23.2% in 2007.
A parallel shadow economy corrodes and eats into the vitals of the country’s economy.  It generates inflation which adversely affects the poor and the middle classes more than others.  It deprives Government of its legitimate revenue which could have been otherwise used for welfare and development activities.  Black Money funds terror, terrorist and terrorist operations from within and across border of the country.  Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 returned to currency chests of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as on December 10, 2016 amounted to Rs. 12.44 lakh crores.  Reports have been submitted by bank to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regarding the amount deposited in the banks as on December 30, 2016.

No Changing in The Retirement Age of Doctors in AFMS

The retirement age of medical officers in the Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS) is based on their rank, which ranges from 56 years in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (& equivalent) to 60 years in case of Major General (& equivalent).  In certain cases, Director General of AFMS in the rank of Lieutenant General and other Lieutenant Generals (& equivalent) may retire respectively at the age of 61 & 62 years. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shrimati Chhaya Verma and  Shri Vishambhar Prasad Nishad in Rajya Sabha Tuesday. Mr. Bharmre also tells that there is no proposal to equate the retirement age of medical officers of AFMS to those doctors working in the civil sector as the terms and conditions of service for the two categories of doctors are totally different. The present total authorised strength of AFMS is 7073 out of which 843 posts are vacant.  Recruitment drives are conducted from time to time to fill up the vacancies.

Financial assistance to States For promoting fisheries

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Sudarshan Bhagat, in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under the Central Plan Scheme on Blue Revolution:  Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries provides financial assistance to all State Governments and Union Territories including Lakshadweep for promoting fisheries Sector.  The Blue Revolution Scheme, with its multi-dimensional activities, focuses mainly on increasing fisheries production and productivity from aquaculture and fisheries resources. Besides, the Administration of Lakshadweep is also implementing schemes for development of fisheries.
Mr. Bhagat also said that The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry has convened a meeting of officials of Kerala State Cooperative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd. (MATSYAFED), National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT) and a representative exporter to explore the export prospects of tuna from Lakshadweep on 06-01-2017. One of the exporters has shown interest in setting up of tuna processing facility in Lakshadweep with the technical assistance from Japan. A team from the exporter side visited the Island during the second week of January, 2017.  MPEDA has offered all possible assistance in this regard.

Now Cooperation with Israel in Farm Sector For 2018

Since the signing of an Agreement for cooperation in the field of Agriculture on 24.12.1993, the two sides met frequently and held several discussions. As a result, Phase-I (2010-2012) and Phase-II (2012-2015) of Indo-Israel Action Plan under the Agreement have been successfully completed. The two countries have since extended the Action Plan to Phase – III for the period 2015-2018. Under the Action Plan, 21 participating States are covered for cooperation in the field of energy efficient green houses, recycling of waste water for irrigation, Post Harvest Management for horticulture crops, training and visiting facilities in respective countries and private sector collaboration.This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Mr S. S. Ahluwalia, in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Government committed to achieve the doubling income of farmer

Modi Government committed to achieve the target of doubling of income of farmers by March 2022. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare constitutes a committee about this purpose. This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala, in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Mr.Rupala said that to understand the impact of demonetization on farming sector, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP) conducted a short survey of farmers in few villages around Delhi under Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) initiative. Survey findings could not establish any significant adverse effect of demonetization on input availability, market arrivals of produce and area sown in Rabi season. As per preliminary reports received from the States, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on 27th January, 2017 stands at 637.34 lakh hectares as compared to 600.02 lakh hectares this time in 2016 indicating no significant impact of demonetization on Rabi sowing.
 In order to achieve the target of doubling of income of farmers by March 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary. Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare alsosaid in Lok Sabha.The Committee has held five meetings so far to evolve a suitable strategy.

Many Step taken for Quality of Food served to Soldiers

There have been no major complaints by the soldiers regarding quality of food.  The soldiers of Armed Forces are provided rations as per entitlement and Defence Food Specifications.  However, the improvement in quality of food is ongoing process and is undertaken based on feedback from troops and advice of scientific bodies.
Some of important steps taken by Government towards the improvements are mentioned as: Increase in scale of meat / chicken (broiler) dressed for JCOs / ORs and authorisation of chilled / frozen meat / chicken as basic ration at 136 stations.  Introduction of ready to eat vegetables in retort pouches with longer shelf life.   Extension of Special Rations of Siachen Glacier to troops across the country anywhere above 12000 feet.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shrimati Jharna Das Baidya and Agrawal in Rajya Sabha today.