Pib

Pib

President Shri Ram Nath Kovind at the banquet hosted in honour of H. E. Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, the President of the Republic of Belarus

Main points of the speech :
1. 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries this year.
2. the visit of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, to the capital of Belarus- Minsk in 1931
3. It is heartening that Belarus is keen to partner us in our Make In India initiative
4. India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations would begin soon.
5. potash we import or the famed Belarusian tractors.
6. Grodno power project that we helped set-up, and the role Belarus played in establishing the Advance Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials in Hyderabad
7. soon begin teaching Hindi at the Belarusian State University.
8. Belarus’s support at forums such as the United Nations, Nuclear Suppliers Group and International Court of Justice.

2. Building a new India: Pledge to Double Farmers Income by 2022
It has been for the first time, a Prime Minister has put such a target in front of the compatriots for the welfare of the farmers.
• KVKs organised this program in the 562 districts of the country. The program saw the participation of the State Government and the Central Government officers, Agricultural Officers, Students and a large number of farmers in each district..

3. CBDT has been asked to consider inclusion of Service Charge while assessing tax: Shri Ram Vilas Paswan
In order to stop levying Service Charge compulsorily from consumers without their consent, guidelines were issued on 21st April 2017. But still the complaints are being received through National Consumer Helpline about levying 5% to 20% Service Charge compulsorily by some hotels and restaurants.
To stop this unfair practice, hotels and restaurants have been asked either to leave the column of Service Charge blank or mention on the Bill that it is optional. It means that the consumer can pay the Service Charge if he or she wants.
Advertisements have also been released under ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ conveying the message among consumers that Service Charge is not mandatory but a tip which is fully a discretion of the consumer.

4. “Digital inclusion is the foundation of financial inclusion” - sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad
The daylong conclave focused on physical access and infrastructure of financial inclusion, maximizing financial access and literacy for women and marginalized groups and using technology and innovation to determine the way forward.

5. FM: Present Government brought the policy of financial inclusion to the centre stage;
About 30 crore accounts opened under PMJDY;
No of dormant accounts come to less than 20%;
Aadhar Legislation will stand the test of constitutionality;
Demonetisation helped in reducing the volume of cash transactions and increase in digital payments,
widening of the tax base and more formalization of the economy among others;
No reverse in financial inclusion process possible for policy makers.

6. Secretary MSME reviews implementation of Public Procurement Policy by various PSUs in National SC ST Hub Conclave
National SC-ST Hub, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aims to create a supportive ecosystem for SC/ST entrepreneurs by assisting in technology upgradation and capacity building thereby enabling them to effectively participate in public procurement processes. The Government of India formulated the Public Procurement Policy, 2012 which states that 20% of total procurement of goods and services by Central Ministries, Departments and CPSEs shall be made from MSEs and 20% of such procurement (4% of total procurement) from MSEs shall be made from SC & ST owned MSEs.

7. 2-day Regional Conference on Good Governance and Replication of Best Practices to begin in Goa tomorrow
The theme for this year’s Conference is Good Governance and Replication of Best Practices. The Conference is an effort to create a common platform to share experiences in the formulation and implementation of citizen centric governance, improved public service delivery through e-Governance, transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly effective administration.
In the first session tomorrow, a brief presentation on Priority Exemplary Initiatives in the State of Goa will be made. In the second session, a brief presentation on Priority programmes [Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Din Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Promoting Digital Payments and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban and Rural)] chosen for PM Awards, 2018 will be made.

8. Ministry of Railways permits m-Aadhar as one of the prescribed proofs of Identity for Rail Travel Purpose.
Ministry of Railways has decided to permit m- Aadhar (Aadhar card on mobile app namely m- Aadhar launched by UIDAI) as one of the prescribed proofs of Identity for Rail Travel purpose in any reserved class.

9. JNPCT wins “Container Terminal of the Year” Award, 2017
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPCT) was awarded “Container Terminal of the Year” Award for the above 0.6 million TEUs category at The Gateway Awards 2017 held at Mumbai.
The Gateway Award was instituted to recognise and promote best practices, innovation and motivation in the Indian Maritime industry.