Pib

Pib

1. “Hunar Haat being organised across the Country have Become a Credible Brand”: Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that “Hunar Haat”, being organised across the country by Minority Affairs Ministry have become a “credible brand” to fulfil the commitment of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to “Make In India”, “Stand Up India”, “Start Up India”. In a statement on Hunar Haat here today, the Minister said that “Hunar Haat” has proved to be an effective mission to provide market & opportunities to talent of master artisans and craftsmen from across the nation.

Shri Naqvi said that during the last one year, “Hunar Haat” have been successful in providing employment and employment opportunities to more than 3 lakh artisans and other people associated with them. He said that 5 “Hunar Haat” have been organised at International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan and Baba Kharak Singh Marg at New Delhi; Puducherry and Mumbai. He added that 5th “Hunar Haat”, organised at Islam Gymkhana Marine Lines Mumbai, from January 4-10, 2018, was a hit, as more than 5 lakh people visited there and encouraged master artisans and culinary experts, who came from every corner of the country. The visitors purchased the handmade products made by these artisans on a large scale. The artisans also received large-scale orders from domestic, as well as international markets.

The Minister said that Ministry of Minority Affairs is organising “Hunar Haat”under “USTTAD” scheme in different parts of the country and “Hunar Haat” have become a successful mission to provide employment and employment opportunities and national, as well international markets for thousands of master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts.

2. Indian Air Force Conquers ‘Seven Summits’

An expert team of IAF mountaineers had successfully scaled highest peaks of six different continents earlier and had recently embarked upon its culminating expedition to Mt Vinson in Antarctica to complete Mission Seven Summits. A five member team led by Gp Capt RC Tripathi VM(G) was flagged off by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of Air Staff, on 08 Dec 17.

Indian Air Force has always been at the forefront in its pursuit to endure challenging ventures. ‘IAF Mission Seven Summits’ has been one of such unique trysts by IAF, undertaken with an aim to hoist the National Tricolour on the highest mountains of all seven continents. After creating history in 2005, by summiting Mt Everest, IAF launched an unprecedented series of mountaineering expeditions ‘Mission Seven Summits’ in 2008.

3. Exhibition on “INDIA @ 70: THE JAMMU & KASHMIR SAGA” on the occasion of 70 years of Accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India inaugurated by Dr. Mahesh Sharma

In view in the exhibition are rare documents like The Treaty of Lahore, 11 March 1846, The Treaty of Amritsar, 16 March 1846, the Instrument of Accession, 27 October 1947, Standstill Agreement between the newly independent dominions of India and Pakistan and the Princely states of the British India prior to their integration in the new dominion. The list of winners of Paramvir Chakra, Vir Chakra and their stories, the Jammu and Kashmir Story through Shankar’s eye are other attractions in the exhibition.

The exhibition has been organized at the National Archives of India, Janpath, New Delhi. It is open for free public viewing on all days including Sundays (10 am to 5.30 pm) till 10 February 2018.

The exhibition invites the public to step through the passages of 1947-48 with original letters, telegrams, and archival rare documents pertaining to the Kashmir Imbroglio. Accompanying these display are rare vintage photographs, documentaries maps, soldiers’ maps, newspapers reports, large number of books on Kashmir that depict history at its most dramatic yet humbling moments. The stories span through the circumstances that led to the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to subsequent actions that protected the integrity and restored peace in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

4. Income Tax Department steps-up actions under Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act : Benami properties of more than Rs. 3,500 crore in more than 900 cases attached

Due to intensive efforts undertaken by the Income Tax Department, provisional attachment has been made in more than 900 cases of properties under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act (the ‘Benami Act’), which came into force w.e.f 1st November, 2016. These attachments include plots of land, flats, shops, jewellery, vehicles, deposits in bank accounts, fixed deposits etc. The value of properties under attachment is more than Rs. 3,500 crore including immovable properties of more than Rs. 2,900 crore.

In five cases, the provisional attachments of Benami properties, amounting to more than Rs. 150 crore have been confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority. In one such case, it was established that a Real Estate Company had acquired about 50 acres of land, valued at more than Rs.110 crore, using the names of certain persons of no means as benamidars. This was corroborated from the sellers of the land as well as the brokers involved. In another case, post demonetization, two assessees were found depositing demonetized currency into multiple bank accounts in the names of their employees, associates etc. to be ultimately remitted to their bank accounts. The total amount attempted to be remitted to the beneficial owners was about Rs. 39 crore. In yet another case, a cash amount of Rs. 1.11 crore was intercepted from a vehicle with a person who denied the ownership of this cash. Subsequently, no one claimed ownership of this cash and it was held to be benami property by the Adjudicating Authority.

Earlier, the Income Tax Department had stepped-up actions under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act (the ‘Benami Act’. The Act provides for provisional attachment and subsequent confiscation of benami properties, whether movable or immovable. It also allows for prosecution of the beneficial owner, the benamidar and the abettor to benami transactions, which may result in rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years and fine upto 25% of fair market value of the property.