GOA

Reduce VAT on natural gas from 12.5% to 3%, says Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has written to chief minister Pramod Sawant asking for value-added tax (VAT) on piped natural gas (PNG) for industrial use to be reduced from 12.5% to 3%. GCCI president Ralph De Sousa said the rate of VAT on natural gas in Goa is more than four times that levied in Maharashtra, and double the rate of other states such as Gujarat and Haryana.

The sharp difference between the VAT levied in Goa and in the neighbouring states will put Goa’s industrial units at a disadvantage, said GCCI. It has also called for the inclusion of natural gas under the goods and services tax (GST) regime.

“The industry, particularly the manufacturing sector using PNG as a fuel, is primarily affected by this transition. Due to the inclusion under GST, the industry was able to claim the benefit of the amount of GST paid as input tax credit, and thus the GST was cost neutral.

INTERNATIONAL

The Fifth Country to Sign ISA Framework – Germany

Germany grew to become the fifth united states to signal the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement after its amendments entered into force on 8th January 2021, opening its Membership to all Member States of the United Nations.

Ambassador of Germany to India Walter J. Lindner deposited signed copies of the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement with the Ministry of External Affairs, the depositary of the Agreement.

Membership to the ISA was once restrained to 121 countries, which were in part or placed inside the tropics.

NATIONAL

Javelin Throw Day be on 7th August

The authorities of the Athletics Federation of India has decided to observe javelin throw day on 7th August each year in honour of the Olympic gold medalist of the Tokyo Olympics Neeraj Chopra.

Neeraj Chopra bagged the gold medal in men’s javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on 7th August 2021.

Neeraj has scripted the history at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo when he threw the javelin to a distance of 87.58m to end India’s medal drought in athletics at the Olympics.

This is India’s first-ever gold medal in athletics in the history of the Olympics. AFI’s bid to name August 7 as Javelin Throw Day is an attempt to attract more youth to the sport.

First Port to Launch e-cars – VOC Port

VOC Port becomes the first major port in India to launch e-cars.

Highlights:

VOC Port is previously regarded as Tuticorin Port. The V. O. Chidambaranar Port was declared an essential port in 1974.

It is the 2nd largest port in Tamil Nadu and the 3rd greatest container terminal in India.

It is an artificial port.

It has offerings to the USA, China, Europe, Sri Lanka and the Mediterranean countries.

Monitoring of Groundwater

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) periodically monitors groundwater levels for the duration of the Country on a regional scale by monitoring wells.

Highlights:

Central Ground Water Board, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, is the National Apex Agency entrusted with supplying scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, and augmentation legislation of floor water resources of the country.

The board was set up in the year 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube Wells Organization below the Ministry of Agriculture. And in 1972, It was merged with the GroundWater Wing of the Geological Survey of India.
Its vision is the sustainable improvement and administration of the country’s groundwater resources.

Pani Maah Launched in Ladakh

Affairs:Pani Maah Campaign was launched in Ladakh to create awareness about clean water.

Highlights:

Pani Maah, or water month, has been launched in Ladakh to inform villagers about the significance of clean water.

The Ladakh authorities have also introduced a reward of Rs 2.5 million for the first block in every district that achieves the fame of ‘Har Ghar Jal’.

The Pani Maah campaign will run at block and panchayat tiers in two phases.

The campaign will adopt a three-pronged strategy — focussing on quality testing, planning and strategising water supply, and seamless functioning of Pani Sabha in villages.

The Pani Maah campaign is anticipated to expedite the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the union territory.

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