News updates: Govt orders CBI probe in NEET paper leak case

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11:30 PM

Govt orders CBI probe in NEET paper leak case

Probe into alleged irregularities in NEET-UG handed over to CBI for comprehensive investigation: Education Ministry officials.

10:11 PM

NEET-PG examination postponed, fresh date to be announced at the earliest, says Health Ministry

9:23 PM

Houthis claim attack on US carrier in Red Sea

The Yemeni Houthi group said on Saturday its forces had attacked the US aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Red Sea and the Transworld Navigator ship in the Arabian Sea. It did not say when the attacks took place.

8:43 PM

Intention of Centre to levy GST on petrol, diesel; states will have to decide on rate: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the intention of the central government has always been to bring petrol and diesel under GST, and it is now up to the states to come together and decide on the rate. She said a provision has already been made by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley by including petrol and diesel into GST law. What is remaining is for the states to come together to discuss and decide on the rate of the levy. "The intention of the GST, as was brought in by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, was to have petrol and diesel in GST. It is up to the states now... to decide on the rate. The intent of my predecessor was very clear, we want petrol and diesel to come into GST," Sitharaman said. When GST was introduced on July 1, 2017, amalgamating over a dozen central and state levies, five commodities -- crude oil, natural gas, petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) -- were included in GST law but it was decided that it would be taxed under GST at a later date.

7:52 PM

We want the GST to include petrol and diesel: FM

On being asked about bringing fuel under GST, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says "...At the moment, the intention of the GST as it was brought in by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is to have the petrol and diesel in GST. It is up to the states to decide and come together and get petrol and diesel into GST. The intent of the Central Government is clear, we want the GST to include petrol and diesel..."

 

7:25 PM

'Services by way of hostel accommodation outside institutions exempted to tune of Rs 20,000/person per month'

GST Council exempts services by way of hostel accommodation outside educational institutions to tune of Rs 20,000/person per month: FM

7:23 PM

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has been made the Chairman of GoM of Rate Rationalisation

On the 53rd GST Council Meeting, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says "Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has been made the Chairman of GoM of Rate Rationalisation. In the next meeting, Samrat Choudhary will submit a status quo report on the work done for the rate Rationalisation. After that, we will start work on start rate Rationalisation

7:14 PM

For solar cookers, 12% GST prescribed: Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says "Council recommended to prescribe 12% GST on all solar cookers whether it has single or dual energy source. Services provided by Indian Railways to the common man, sale of platform tickets, facility of retiring rooms, waiting rooms, cloakroom services, battery operated car services are being exempted from GST. Further, intra-railway supplies are also being exempted. Hostels which are for students outside of educational institutions are also being exempted. The council has recommended exempting accommodation services having a value of supply up to Rs 20,000 per person per month...These services are supplied for a minimum continuous period of 90 days..."

7:13 PM

A uniform rate of 12% on milk cans (steel, aluminum) has been recommended: FM

On the 53rd GST Council Meeting, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Council recommended to prescribe a uniform rate of 12% on all milk cans meaning steel, iron, aluminum which are irrespective of the use. They are called milk cans but wherever they are used that will be the rate applicable so that no disputes arise out of it.. The council also recommended to prescribe a uniform GST rate of 12% on all carton boxes and cases of both corrugated and non-corrugated paper or paper board. This will in particular help the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh, J&K...Council also clarified and recommended that the clarification be put out on that all types of sprinklers including fire water sprinklers will attract 12% GST..."

7:08 PM

Services provided by Indian Railways like platform tickets exempted from GST: Finance Minister

7:07 PM

53rd GST Council meet: Govt to roll out pan-India biometric authentication to check fake invoicing, says FM

On the 53rd GST Council meeting, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "There is going to be a rolling out of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication on an all-India basis. This will help us to combat fraudulent input tax credit claims made through fake invoices in the cases..."

6:58 PM

To reduce govt litigation, a monetary limit has been recommended of Rs 20 lakh for GST appelete tribuanal: FM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "In order to reduce government litigation, the council has recommended a monetary limit of Rs 20 lakh for GST appellate tribunal, Rs 1 crore for High Court and Rs 2 crore for Supreme Court for filing of appeals by the department... Council has also recommended that the maximum amount for pre-deposit for filing appeal before the appellate authority shall be reduced from Rs 25 crores CGST and 25 crores SGST to Rs 20 crore CGST and Rs 20 SGST and that is the maximum amount of pre-deposit for filing appeals before the appellate authority...."

6:58 PM

For small taxpayers time limit extended to June 30 for GSTR-4, FY24-25 onwards, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Council has also decided and recommended that amending the provisions of CGST act to provide that the three month period for filing appeals in the GST appellate tribunal will start from a day which shall be notified by the government. So the president of the tribunal has assumed office and the said period for filing tax filing appealed by the taxpayers will expire on 5 August 2024..."

6:57 PM

Decisions taken related to trade facilitation, relief to tax payers, says FM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during press conference on GST Counsil meeting held on Saturday, "The time limit to avail input tax credit in respect of any invoice or debit note under section 16(4) of the CGST Act filed up to the 30-11-2021 for the financial years 17-18, 18-19, 19-20 and 20-21 may be deemed to be 2011 to 2021. So for the same requisite amendment retrospectively with effect from 1 July 2017, the council has made a recommendation."

6:37 PM

GST Council meet LIVE: 'Trying to make it easier, business-friendly,' says AP FM Keshav

On the GST Council meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav says, "... A lot of issues were discussed the whole day and in most of them, they were trying to clarify what has happened and were trying to make it a little easier and user friendly, business-friendly. They were trying to avoid all the future litigations... Post-budget session, there's likely to be another meeting... Most of the recommendations have been approved. Mostly a press note will be coming from the GST council. It was a very interesting and good discussion which took place..."

6:03 PM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address press shortly

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday morning chaired a pre-budget meeting with Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories. She also chaired the 53rd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council Meeting scheduled in the second half of the day.

5:02 PM

Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy death toll mounts to 53

5:01 PM

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza damaged by shell attack

Red Cross said its Gaza office was ‘damaged’ by in a shell attack Friday that killed at least 22 people who had taken shelter around the compound. 22 bodies and 45 wounded were taken to a nearby Red Cross field hospital.

4:11 PM

UAPA tribunal confirms Centre's decision to ban Muslim League Jammu Kashmir, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat

UAPA tribunal confirms Centre's decision to ban Muslim League Jammu Kashmir(Masarat Alam faction) and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.

3:27 PM

Centre notifies that high-level panel on exam reforms to submit report within two months

3:23 PM

Former Isro chief to head seven-member panel on reforms in examination process: Education ministry

"Former Isro chief K Radhakrishnan to head seven-member panel on reforms in examination process," says education ministry.

3:02 PM

India, Bangladesh sign pact to boost ties in maritime sphere, blue economy

India and Bangladesh solidified plans for enhanced cooperation across various new sectors and signed multiple agreements, including those focused on maritime affairs, the blue economy, digital collaboration, and environmental initiatives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina finalized these agreements during extensive discussions. Additionally, they concluded an agreement aimed at improving railway connectivity between the two nations.

 

2:32 PM

Chief priest of Ram temple consecration ceremony dies at 86 due to illness

Acharya Laxmikant Dixit, the chief priest who conducted the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, passed away on Saturday morning. Aged 86, Dixit had been unwell for the past few days. His final rites will be performed at Manikarnika Ghat. UP CM Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences on platform X.

2:16 PM

Home Minister Amit Shah launches special programme to fast-track immigration services

Amit Shah launched a programme to expedite immigration for pre-verified Indian nationals and OCI cardholders. The Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) allows eligible individuals to apply online, submit biometrics, and necessary details. Registration under FTI will be valid for up to five years or until passport expiry.

1:56 PM

Swati Maliwal assault case: Court extends Bibhav Kumar's custody till July 6

A court in Delhi extended Bibhav Kumar's judicial custody till July 6. Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, faces charges of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on May 13 at the CM's residence. Kumar, arrested on May 18, appeared via video conferencing before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal, who granted the extension. Initially granted five days of police custody, his anticipatory bail plea had become infructuous.

1:32 PM

ED raids in Ranchi recover Rs 1 crore cash, 100 bullets in land grab case

The Enforcement Directorate seized Rs 1 crore in cash and 100 live bullets during raids in Ranchi as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged land grabbing involving former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and others. The raid, conducted at the Kanke road premises of Kamlesh Singh on Friday evening. The agency has also filed a police case under the Arms Act related to the discovery of the ammunition.

12:59 PM

Air Arabia flight from Kerala to Sharjah receives hoax bomb threat

A hoax bomb threat targeted an Air Arabia flight scheduled to depart for Sharjah from Calicut International Airport on Saturday morning, causing the aircraft to be grounded for inspection by the police bomb detection squad, according to airport sources. A senior airport official said that a passenger arriving from Sharjah to Calicut left a note with the word 'bomb' on one of the seats, discovered by the ground staff before boarding began.

12:36 PM

Govt doing 'damage control': Congress on implementation of law to curb exam irregularities

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed on Saturday that the Centre's decision to implement a law to prevent unfair practices in competitive examinations is "damage control" following several "scams," including those in NEET-UG and UGC-NET. He argued that while the law is necessary, it addresses question paper leaks and other irregularities only after they have occurred. 

12:00 PM

BJP holds marathon meeting to discuss strategy for upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls

The Maharashtra BJP unit conducted an extensive meeting to devise a strategy for the upcoming state assembly elections, sources reported on Saturday. The meeting, held on Friday night, lasted five hours and focused on planning the election campaign and finalizing the strategy. The elections for the 288-member state assembly are expected to take place in October. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP's seats in Maharashtra decreased from 23 to nine.

11:30 AM

Death toll rises to 53, seven people arrested in Kallakurichi hooch tragedy

The death toll from the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has increased from 50 to 53, officials reported on Saturday. Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth stated that out of 193 patients who consumed the illicit liquor, 140 are currently in stable condition. "Of the 193 people hospitalized, 140 are safe, though some are on ventilators. As of now, 53 have died," he said.