roll back tax on EPF withdrawal: Rahul
New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded rolling back of the proposal for taxing EPF withdrawal to give relief to employees and not to “thieves” who would benefit from the “fair and lovely scheme” in the budget on black money. “EPF is the safety net of the employees and imposing a tax on this is wrong. I will urge the Prime Minister to announce...That the tax will be rolled back,” Rahul told reporters on Parliament House complex. He said that the Prime Minister should instill confidence in employees by withdrawing the proposal.
49 Indian fishermen released by iran
New Delhi: Forty-nine Indian fishermen, who were detained three months ago in Iran, have been freed and returned to India on Thursday, the External Affairs Ministry said. They were arrested on December 1, 2015 while unknowingly fishing between UAE and Iranian water in the Kish island.
Academic atmosphere in JNU is normal: Irani
New Delhi: HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday said that most classes in JNU, which has seen protests over arrest of students in connection with a controversial event, are being held regularly and the academic atmosphere of the university is normal. In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Irani said that JNU has reported that students have held meetings and undertaken marches in the campus over police action since the incident that took place at JNU on February 9.
govt to revise aid for school kitchen devices
New Delhi: The HRD Ministry on Thursday said that there is a proposal to revise aid for providing Central assistance for kitchen devices in schools. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, HRD Minister Smriti Irani said that the Centre provides Rs 5,000 per school for procurement of kitchen utensils as well as for replacement of kitchen devices every five years.
Opp raises Gujarat land scam in RS
New Delhi: Gujarat land scam allegedly involving Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s relatives figured in the Rajya Sabha with the Opposition raising concern over it and the Government saying the issue cannot be raised as it is sub-judice. Making a Zero Hour mention, Congress leader Anand Sharma said “Now we have a situation...(where there is) serious violation” of laws and guidelines relating to environmental protection in Gujarat. MoS for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said if a matter is pending in court, no member can raise the issue in the House.
First Round Of Nas Conducted
New Delhi: The first round of the National Achievement Survey (NAS) has been conducted at class-X level which has indicated the need for significant improvement in the learning levels, HRD Minister Smriti Irani said on Thursday. Four rounds of surveys were conducted by NCERT, she told the Rajya Sabha.