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Pib

1. Environment Minister’s address at the Inauguration of India Pavilion at COP-23

Emphasising that though India’s per capita emissions are only one-third of global average and its contribution to global stock of carbon dioxide is less than 3%, India has still moved ahead with implementation of path-breaking initiatives under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

We have gathered here at COP-23 in Bonn to move forward and work towards developing guidelines for efficient implementation of the Paris Agreement under the Convention.

Scientific evidence clearly indicates the severity of it and the cost of delayed action. Access to clean air, water, and a liveable climate are inalienable human rights. And solving this crisis is just not a question of politics, it is our moral obligation. We have only one planet and humankind must become accountable for the destruction of our collective home. Protecting our future on this planet depends on the conscious evolution of our species. Though India’s per capita emissions are only one-third of global average, and its contribution to global stock of carbon dioxide is less than 3%, it has still moved ahead with implementation of path breaking initiatives under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

2. Cases pertaining to ‘Panama Papers’: Investigation in full swing

Pursuant to revelations made by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), a Washington based organization in April 2016 about certain Indians having linkages with entities in offshore no tax/low tax jurisdictions, the Government constituted a Multi-Agency Group (MAG) on 4th April 2016, inter alia, to facilitate co-ordinated and speedy investigation. The MAG consisted of officers of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Reserve Bank of India. So far, the MAG has submitted 7 reports to the Government.

The Panama Papers contained brief particulars of about 426 persons, prima facie, Indians or persons of Indian origin. The Income Tax Department conducted enquiries in all 426 cases, inter alia, through making 395 references to 28 foreign jurisdictions. Based on analysis of the information obtained and investigation conducted, the outcome so far indicates 147 actionable cases and 279 non-actionable cases (non-residents/no irregularities etc).

Out of the 147 actionable cases:

• Investigations have led to the detection of undisclosed credits of about Rs. 792 crore, so far;
• Searches have been conducted in 35 cases and surveys in 11 cases;
• In other cases, the persons have been confronted with the evidences during enquiries;
• In 5 cases criminal prosecution complaints have been filed;
• In 7 cases notices under section 10 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income & Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 have been issued;
• Further investigation in all the above cases is in progress.

3. Investigations in cases of ‘Paradise Papers’ to be monitored through reconstituted Multi Agency Group

Revelations made today in the media under the name ‘Paradise Papers’ [based upon expose done by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)] indicate that out of 180 countries represented in the data of offshore entities held by persons of different nationalities, India ranks 19th in terms of number of names. 714 Indians reportedly appear in the tally. The Paradise Papers include nearly 7 million loan agreements, financial statements, emails, trust deeds and other paperwork over nearly 50 years from inside Appleby, a prestigious offshore law firm with offices in Bermuda and beyond. The leaked documents include files from the smaller, family-owned trust company, Asiaciti (Singapore), and from company registries in 19 secrecy jurisdictions.

Names of only a few Indians (legal entities as well as individuals) have appeared so far in the media. Even the ICIJ website (www.icij.org) has not yet released the names and other particulars of all the entities. The website of ICIJ suggests that information will be released in phases and structured data connected to the Paradise Papers investigation will be released only in the coming weeks on its Offshore Leaks Database.

4. Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar inaugurates ‘Chintan Shivir’.

Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar inaugurated a two-day National Workshop ‘Chintan Shivir’ organized by Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development in New Delhi today. The main aim of the workshop is to provide holistic education relevant for 21st century India and to bring together key stakeholders from various NGOs, private sector and individuals to deliberate on key themes in the education sector.

Over the course of two days a total of 157 organizations/experts will be making their point via presentations. The participants will be divided theme-wise and detailed discussion would be held amongst the participants who would create an actionable roadmap that will be presented to the Union HRD Minister.

5. Need of Extending Medical Facilities to the Workers of Un-Organised Sectors- Santosh Gangwar

While addressing the gathering Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar wished all the graduating students a bright future and congratulated them on their achievement. He said that all graduates should perform their duties in the welfare of the society keeping the professional commitment in mind and serve their best to the country. He further stressed upon the need of extending medical facilities to the workers of un-organised sectors and to the people of the lowest strata of society. He also congratulated Faculty of ESIC Dental College and Hospital, Rohini, Delhi, and parents of Graduating students for support in successful completion of graduation.