Category Archives: Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Chandigarh

GST Day celebrated to mark implementation of GST.

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

India celebrates July 1 as the GST Day to mark the implementation of GST. This year India also completed 5 years of the major tax reform in the country that has furthered ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and fulfilled the vision of ‘One Nation, One Tax’.

Sh. Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS, Finance Secretary UT Chandigarh confirmed that as per the GST figures recently released by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, UT Chandigarh has in the FY 2022-23 achieved a consistent monthly increase of over 20% and in June 2022 achieved a phenomenal 41% increase as: 

Month2021-222022-23Increase %
April203249.623.0
May13016728.5
June12017041.7

The, Finance Secretary UT Chandigarh attribute this increased collections to the economic recovery in the country, the collection and scrutiny of the tax information and the drive of anti-evasion activities, especially action against fake billers taken up by the Department of Excise and Taxation, UT Chandigarh.

It may be noted that if the tax authorities have reasons to believe that the taxpayer has evaded tax, wrongly claimed inputs, suppressed his income or violated any of the provisions of the GST Act to evade tax, then the Department starts enforcement proceedings such as calling for information, issue of notice, issue of summons, recording statements, search and seizure of goods, etc. The enforcement activities can be broadly classified as inspection, search, seizure, and arrest.

Sh. Zade, confirmed that the Department has over the months convened various meeting with the business associations to educate them on the GST compliance issues (like issuance of invoices etc). The Department has been regularly holdingtaxpayer sensitizations events wherein they brief the taxpayers on the GST regime including the penal provisions for evasions which can be invoked by the department. A GST complaint WhatsApp number (7973855325) has been launched by the department where the customers can lodge complaints regarding non issuance of invoice. This GST complaint number has been widely publicized by WhatsApp, meetings and newspapers. The Campaign “Apna Bill Lena Na Bhule” has been restarted and widely publicized by radio jingles, display boards at public places and commercial ads in Cinema halls

He informed that the department officials have been regularly visiting the markets in Chandigarh to check evasion and ensure that every tax payer display the GST registration certificate prominently at their place of business and the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number on the name board exhibited at the entry of his principal place of business and at every additional place or places of business. The department has adopted a zero tolerance policy whereby any non-display of statutory information invites fines of upto RS 25000. 

The Finance Secretary called upon the business community to adopt GST compliance procedures and invited the public to play they part in the development of the nation by insisting on the invoice for every purchase. 

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

A five-member team led by Cooperation Minister Visits Germany and Italy

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

A five-member delegation from Haryana Government led by Cooperation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal, including MLA, Sh. Deepak Mangla, Chairman, HAFED, Sh. Kailash Bhagat, Managing Director, HAFED, Sh. A. Sreenivas, Deputy Secretary, Cooperation Department, Smt. Shivjeet Bharti, General Manager, HAFED looking after the Procurement and Warehousing operations, Sh. Arun Kumar Ahuja is on its visit to Italy and Germany.

          During the visit, the delegation will study the procurement system of food grains and exploring emerging technologies related to agri-warehousing and Silos for storage of food grains and have business meetings with the intended importers of food grains.

          Divulging more details in this regard Cooperation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal informed that the Government of India has emphasized to store wheat in scientifically covered storage space only. Due to the paucity of covered traditional storage space, Silo is a safe, economical and profitable way. The Silos are designed to achieve the optimal utilization of land and better preservation of food grains for a longer period of time without affecting its quality.

          The delegation along with Ms. T. Ajungla Jamir, Consulate General of India at Milan, Italy visited silo technology manufacturing centres in Northern Italy today to explore areas of cooperation in setting up similar structures in Haryana, informed the Cooperation Minister.

          The Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED) under the leadership of Dr. Banwari Lal Cooperation Minister is committed to serve the farmers of the State by doing value addition in its services. In its attempt to move ahead in this direction the high-level delegation on its visit to Italy and Germany is committed to serve the farmers of the state by sharing with them the latest techniques being used by the developed countries for their farming communities.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Private schools to get relief by increasing the duration of fire certificate to 3 years: Kulbhushan Sharma

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

NISA President Kulbhushan Sharma has thanked the then Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Local Bodies Minister Kamal Gupta for extending the period of fire safety certificate of private schools to three years. In a press conference held at Chandigarh Press Club here today, Sharma said that private schools had to face financial and mental problems every year for fire certificate renewal. Private schools are now feeling relieved due to the extension of these certificates. He had raised this demand before the then Local Bodies Minister Anil Vij a few months ago and requested to extend the period of the certification.

He said that the government should now fulfill other pending demands of private schools as well. He said that private school buses remained parked in schools for two years during Corona pandemic, but their life remains the same as 10 years in NCR and 15 years in other districts which is not logical, hence the government should increase the life of the buses for two years. It will help the schools which suffered during the Corona.

He also demanded that the government should immediately clear the dues of the children taught under 134-A by the private schools, which is close to Rs 1000 Crore, so that the private schools could cooperate in the success of the new education policy. He also demanded that the Chief Minister direct the education officers to hold meetings with private schools so that all pending matters of private schools can be resolved and all-round development of education can take place in the state.

Questioning the government’s system of accreditation to private schools, he termed it as anomaly and said that the school which wants recognition of high school or senior secondary class, is required to get dual recognition first for class VIII, then for high school or senior secondary, which is absolutely wrong. This encourages red tapism. It should be simplified and the dual accreditation system should be abolished and high schools, senior secondary schools should be given direct recognition up to their level.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Punjab

Study Examined the Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater around a Coal Thermal Power Plant in Punjab

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Coal thermal power plants are the leading cause of environmental pollution. The fly and bottom ash from thermal power plants contain various toxic heavy metals and contaminate the environment if not appropriately managed. It affects the groundwater quality by improper disposal of coal combustion products, mainly ash which is composed of numerous heavy metals. Considering this, a team comprising experts from Panjab University and the PGIMER assessed the impact of unscientific ash disposal on groundwater quality near a thermal power plant in Ropar, Punjab, India.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Environment Studies Department, Panjab University Chandigarh, led the research team, along with Ph.D. research scholar Nitasha Vig and Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The study  ‘Heavy metal pollution assessment of groundwater and associated health risks around coal thermal power plant, Punjab, India; recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology being published by Springer Nature.

A total of fifty groundwater samples were collected from various depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters below ground level and varying distances from the thermal power plants during the pre and post-monsoon seasons. These samples were examined for specific heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Various multivariate statistical models were computed to understed the geochemistry of groundwater, including the health risk assessment of metal pollution due to the consumption of contaminated groundwater.

The results show a relatively higher concentration of arsenic and lead in the groundwater around the thermal power plants. The increased levels of a few metals above the threshold limits during the post-monsoon season indicate the possible contamination of lower groundwater aquifers due to the leaching from ash ponds. The heavy metal pollution index of groundwater was also examined and found to be exceeding the critical levels. This indicates that groundwater consumption from the upper aquifer may pose health risks to the local inhabitant.

Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, mentioned that the power plant should adopt appropriate eco-friendly technologies to avoid unscientific disposal of fly ash. She added that the coal power industry should adopt innovations to minimize the leaching of toxins from ash ponds into groundwater.

Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, highlighted that deepwater aquifer is currently being used for drinking and irrigation, which is safe for human and other ecological purposes. However, he stressed that we need to establish a system for routine groundwater monitoring for various toxic metals to avoid public health risks in the near future.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana to set up new solar power plants

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Haryana power minister Ranjit Singh on Sunday said the state government intends to set up new solar power plants in the state in a bid to make Haryana completely self-reliant on electricity. Speaking to reporters, Singh said while plans are being made to set up new solar power plants in the state, a proposal is being made by the new renewable department to set up solar power plants on the canals of the state. He said that solar panels will be installed on both sides of the major canals in the state. The design for which is under preparation.

The minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary plan is to promote solar energy across the country and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is strenuously working towards materialising it and exploring possibilities of alternative sources of energy in the state. Singh said following a discussion with the CM, this plan will be put into action very soon.

Singh said apart from the canals of Haryana connected with Bhakra’s main branch, solar panels will be installed on all those big canals, whose length is very long.

For power generation, stubble-based plants will be set up at four places – Jind, Kaithal, Narwana, and Fatehabad. These plants will not only generate electricity but also produce compressed biogas.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Rally to be organized at Hisar Military Station from August 12 to 29, 2022 for selection of Agniveers under the Agniveer scheme

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

A Rally will be organised at Hisar Military Station from August 12 to 29, 2022 for the selection of Agniveers under the Agniveer Scheme. Youth of districts Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind and Sirsa can participate in this Rally.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson of Army Recruitment Office said that the registration process has started on the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in from July 1 for the youth of Fatehabad district who fulfill the eligibility criteria. This process of registration will be open for thirty days, he added.

He said that through the rally, selection would be made for Agniveer Sainik General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Clerk/Store Keeper Technical and Tradesman. It is a great opportunity for ITI qualified candidates to apply under these categories.

        He said that the youth who have passed Class 10th or 12th as per the criteria and were born between the months of October 1, 1999 to April 1, 2005, are eligible to apply online for the Rally.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Govt to give a grant of Rs 4,000 per acre to farmers growing pulses and oilseed crops

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

The State Government has taken another important step to increase the income of the farmers. Now farmers cultivating pulses and oilseed crops will get double benefits. The government has decided to give a grant of Rs. 4,000 per acre to the farmers growing these crops.

        A special scheme has been launched by the Haryana Government for seven districts of South Haryana including Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Hisar and Nuh. Farmers adopting this scheme will be provided financial assistance at the rate of Rs. 4,000 per acre.

Giving information about the scheme, an official spokesperson said that the government is making constant efforts to increase the income of the farmers by reducing their input costs. This new scheme has been started by the government to promote pulses and oilseed crops under crop diversification. The target is to promote pulses and oilseed crops on one lakh acres during Kharif 2022 in the state. Under this scheme, pulse crops (moong and tur) will be promoted on 70,000 acres and oilseeds crops (castor and groundnut) will be promoted on 30,000 acres. Financial assistance of Rs. 4,000 per acre will be provided to farmers growing pulses and oilseeds. This scheme will be implemented during Kharif 2022 in seven districts of South Haryana namely Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Hisar and Nuh.

Farmers taking advantage of this scheme are required to register on Meri Fasal Mera Byora Portal. The financial assistance will be transferred to the accounts of the farmers after the verification of the crop.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Indian culture promotes mutual love, goodwill and national integration: Guv

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Indian culture is considered as one of the best cultures in the world as it promotes mutual love, goodwill and national integration. Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya said this on the occasion of the inauguration of Bhagwan Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra on Sunday at Manimajra. This Rath Yatra was organised by the ISKCON.

On this occasion, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Acharya and Trustee Gopal Krishna Goswami, Area Secretary Nand Maharaj Das, ISKCON Chandigarh President, Sh. Akrur Nandan, Dr. Pawan Sharma, Sh. Nirotmanand and many devotees were present.

Governor Sh. Dattatraya said that Indian philosophy has paved the way for human welfare through spiritual contemplation along with material progress in the world. God incarnated on earth and showed humanity the true path of life. Similarly, Lord Jagannath during the Rath Yatra, steps out of his temple and moves around in a chariot and showers blessings on the public. He said that Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra is an important Indian festival.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana Govt to promote cultural activities in the state

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Haryana Government has taken several steps to promote cultural activities in the state.  In this series, Art and Cultural Affairs Department of the state government is constituting a panel of experts in music, dance, theatre, painting and sculpture, so that training can be imparted to interested persons.

Giving information in this regard, an official spokesperson said that the senior artists who have been applying to participate in this panel should have at least 10 years of experience in the relevant discipline and should have minimum age of 40 years.  He said that the artists applying should have a Master degree or Diploma from a University recognized under the Government norms, having national and international level achievements in the relevant discipline in the last 5 years.

The spokesperson further informed that the tenure of the panel will be of 2 years and the last date for applying is August 9, 2022.

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Haryana

Beware of fraudulent unauthorized travel agents, agencies for sending abroad for education, employment, other purposes

Leave a comment

IEP CHANDIGARH JULY 03, 2022

Haryana Government has cautioned the general public, especially the youth, to beware of fraudulent unauthorized travel agents and agencies that are luring them for sending them abroad for education, employment and other purposes. People should contact travel agents and agencies authorized by the government to go abroad and inquire thoroughly before making any payments.

Giving information about this, an official spokesperson said that people are constantly being made aware and cautioned to go abroad only through authorized travel agents and agencies by the state government. He said that it is often seen that many agents who cheat people in the name of sending money abroad are not registered, such fake or unauthorized agents publish and broadcast their advertisements in various publicity mediums, due to which the general public is fooled by them. They lose their hard earned money, property or ornaments etc.

He said that unauthorized agents and agencies send the person willing to go abroad to some other country and place instead of the chosen country. In many such cases, sometimes the life of the person going abroad is also in danger. The state government has asked people to beware of such illegal travel agents and agencies and to go abroad only through agencies authorized by the government. He said that the list of travel agents and agencies authorized by the government has been released on the website of Haryana Police https://haryanapolice.gov.in.