Pib

Pib

1. Record number of Pilgrims from India to go for Haj 2018

The Government, led by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has succeeded in getting India’s Haj quota increased for the consecutive second year. For the first time after the Independence, a record number of 1 lakh 75 thousand and 25 pilgrims from India will go for Haj 2018. The decision by the Saudi Arabia Government to increase India’s Haj quota for 2018 has come days after Shri Naqvi signed the bilateral annual Haj 2018 agreement between India and Saudi Arabia with Haj and Umrah Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabiaat Makkah.

On behalf of Government of India and people of the country, Shri Naqvi thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Excellency, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud and Saudi Arabia Government for the increase in India’s Haj quota. He emphasised that besides this, Saudi Arabia has also given the green signal for India’s decision to revive the option of sending Haj pilgrims through sea route also and officials from both the countries will discuss all the necessary formalities and technicalities, so that Haj pilgrimage through sea route can be started in the coming years.

The Minister pointed out that about 3 lakh 55 thousand applications have been received for Haj 2018. Shri Naqvi said that for the first time, Muslim women from India will go to Haj without “Mehram” (male companion). More than 1, 300 women have applied to go for Haj without male “Mehram” and all of these women will be exempted from lottery system and allowed to proceed to Haj. Women above 45 years of age, who wish to go for Haj, but who do not have a male companion, are allowed to travel for Haj in groups of 4 or more women, according to the new Indian Haj policy.

2. Direct Tax Collections for F.Y. 2017-2018 show Growth of 18.2% up to December, 2017

The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections up to December, 2017 show that net collections are at Rs. 6.56 lakh crore which is 18.2% higher than the net collections for the corresponding period of last year. The net Direct Tax collections represent 67% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for Financial Year (F.Y.) 2017-18 (Rs. 9.8 lakh crore). Gross collections (before adjusting for refunds) have increased by 12.6% to Rs. 7.68 lakh crore during April to December, 2017. Refunds amounting to Rs.1.12 lakh crorehave been issued during April to December, 2017.

An amount of Rs. 3.18 lakh crore has been received as Advance Tax up to December, 2017 reflecting a growth of 12.7% over the Advance Tax payments of the corresponding period of last year. The growth in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Advance Tax is 10.9% and that in Personal Income Tax (PIT) Advance Tax is 21.6%.

3. Mind sports require support at par with physical sports: Vice President

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has said that mind sports require support and encouragement at par with physical sports. “No doubt, physical body has its limitations but the mind has unlimited capacity and this has to be tapped to its full potential,” he said addressing a delegation of the World Memory Sports Council for India, here today. This contingent has returned after bagging the fourth place at the World Memory Championships held last month at Shenzen, China.

The Vice President said that mind sports help students and youngsters greatly in improving their concentration levels, creativity and contribute to achieving success in life. “We need to move to analytical and logical thinking skills, not merely focus on rote learning and memorizing. Concept formation and understanding are important,” he said.

Talking about the need of a holistic education system, the Vice President said that rote mode of learning, high expectations from parents, increasing competition and eagerness of educational institutions to get top ranks are causing stress and anxiety among students. “It is really sad to come across reports of suicides by students, who are unable to cope with stress,” said Shri M Venkaiah Naidu. “Time has come for the institutions, governments and the society at large to prevent such suicides by extending support and comfort to distressed students. Under the rote system, they simply memorize to write examinations without understanding the basic concepts,” he added.

4. Project Commencement of Barmer Refinery to be done by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 16 January, 2018

Project commencement of Barmer Refinery at Pachpadra, Rajasthan is scheduled to be done by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 16th January, 2018. Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt. Vasundhara Rajeand Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will also be present among other dignitaries.

Project details:

a. Project Cost – Rs.43129 crore
b. Target Mechanical Completion – 4 years
c. Refining Capacity 9 MMTPA
d. Equity share of HPCL – 74%
e. Equity share of GOR – 26%
f. Location – Pachpadra, Barmer, Rajasthan
g. Incentive – Interest free loan of Rs.1123 crore per annum for 15 years from date of commissioning to be refunded in next 15 years from 16th year onwards
h. Refinery capable of producing BS VI products