Saturday, April 8, 2017

Shunglu committee report shows Arvind Kejriwal treats his personal discretion as law in Delhi

A voluminous VK Shunglu Committee report is yet another reminder that for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, rule of law means that his personal discretion is law in Delhi. The perks of power, government positions, sanctioned or otherwise and any associated benefits were to be offered to the chosen beneficiaries at whims to relatives of ministers and personal favourites of party lords, in total disregard to laid out structures and norms.
File photo of Arvind Kejriwal. Getty images
He could still brazen it out, he and his party colleagues could still lecture on morality, public probity and integrity, claiming that everyone else in varied social structure and polity except for those associated with their party AAP had some taint to hide.
Unfortunately for him, a well documented Shunglu committee report along with annexure, which came to conclusions after examining 404 files and discussions with key officials including chief secretary and principal secretaries of departments concerned, has exposed Kejriwal's hypocritical probity stance in public life.
More so, this official expose comes at a time when Kejriwal is already facing the heat of another finding and subsequent directive by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal asking Delhi Chief Secretary to initiate process of recovery of Rs 97 crore by Arvind Kejriwal-led ruling Aam Admi Party for a series of advertisements which Kejriwal, as chief minister, issued in violation of Supreme Court directive. As per L-G's directive, Delhi government (Kejriwal) has to recover this huge amount from AAP (Kejriwal) in 30 days' time, of which one week has already elapsed.
The L-G's order was not whimsical. It was based on findings of the Supreme Court-mandated Committee on Content Regulation of Government Advertising (CCRGA), constituted by Information and Broadcasting ministry.
Another revelation is that Kejriwal insisted that Ram Jethmalani must bill for defending him in defamation case filed against him by finance minister Arun Jaitley. And on his instructions, Delhi government cleared the payment file at a super-fast speed without due approval from L-G, which badly tarnished his image.
Shunglu committee findings reveal that Kejriwal government is hit with a malice of the worst kind for any government: Nepotism, favouritism and cronyism. It goes on listing instances after instances where norms were flouted, laid out official channels bypassed, not just the L-G who is administrative head of Delhi government but also the departments like law and finance, which were otherwise required to give approval on files in most cases.
Take for instance appointment of health minister Satyendra Jain's daughter Soumya Jain as as adviser to mission director, Delhi State Mission. Soumya had a degree in architecture and didn't have any supportive documents to her claim for expertise on mohalla clinics. The file also does not have any mention as to who approved her appointment. Despite that, she was appointed to the post. An expenditure of Rs 1.15 lakh was also incurred between the date of her joining and the date she resigned from the post. Shunglu committee noted "these events could only be explained by the fact that Soumya Jain is the daughter of Satyendar Jain, health minister and Chairman of Delhi state health mission and of society registered for executing projects."
Another case of nepotism relates to appointment of Nikunj Agarwal, said to be a relative of Kejriwal, as OSD to the health minister. "Dr Agarwal is appointed as senior resident on an ad hoc basis on his mere application by the resident medical officer of CNBC hospital, when there was no vacancy in that hospital and the established procedure is to invite applications through advertisements and effect selections after interviews by a panel of expert," the committee report said.
with thanks : FirstPost : LINK : for detailed news report.
Must go through in the wake of MCD Elections in Delhi.

Friday, April 7, 2017

MCD Election Issue

Dear S. Vohra ji,

An excellent, informative and enlightening article on the state of affairs of the MCDs! Your contribution for bringing out such an illuminating article for all to read is immense and timely! Can we still learn a lesson or two to improve the working/functioning of the MCDs? Difficult to assess! We wonder what would be outcome of the MCD elections! If no party gets the majority and get sufficient sinews to fight with the local govt. it may be difficult to achieve anything and the people at large will suffer, while the newly elected Councillors will prosper and build up their image enlivening the pitiable plight of the people. Task is enormous but a planned and phased implementation of reforms/changes in all spheres will bring about the desirable impact, different from the past, to applaud and appreciate! Let's look forward for a brighter future in all circles to build up the image of the Capital at large with the assistance of all - sab ke saath, sab ke vikas!

With best regards,
TK Balu/Anand Vihar

MCD ELECTION ISSUE

Sir 

the biggest issue is lifting of garbage and disposal. The Best way provide sufficient No of Dust Bin to each RWA. Handover the Work to Private agencies under strict govt control. Ask them to prepare Vermi compost and Distribute the Same to RWA at Reasonable rate. There will be more Cleanness in Delhi 

Chander Mohan 
Navrachna Appartment

Vinod Khanna's picture from the hospital goes viral

Vinod Khanna was recently admitted to the hospital after the dashing actor was reported to be suffering from severe dehydration. However, later reports even claimed that the yester year superstar is battling bladder cancer. While the family has not confirmed the news, a picture of the actor in the hospital has gone viral. Vinod looks quite pale in the picture and his physical transformation has literally shocked the entire nation.


Wishes have started pouring from all the corners as the nation prays for his speedy recovery. A leading daily quoted a hospital official saying that the actor is currently stable and is getting better. Vinod Khanna was admitted to a suburban Mumbai hospital last Friday. While the hospital refused to give out much details, commenting on his father’s health, son Rahul Khanna had said that the actor is suffering from severe dehydration. “Dad was hospitalized on Friday for severe dehydration.

with thanks : Yahoo News : LINK : for more details

Saturday, April 1, 2017

MCD Elections : Congress List - 140 Candidates





10 Income Tax Rules That Will Come Into Effect From 1 April

Amendments in several government rules and regulations will come into force on 1 April 2017, the start of the new financial year. The Income Tax regulations that will come into effect can be broadly divided into two parts. First, the rules for filing I-T returns and second, the rules for calculating I-T.

3 Things To Remember While Filing I-T Returns

1. It is now mandatory to disclose the Aadhaar number while filing I-T returns. This is the most important amendment in the rules for filing I-T. Till last year, it was optional to disclose the Aadhaar number while filing the returns. Generally, the last date for filing I-T returns is 31 July. Therefore, it is advisable for tax payers to get their Aadhaar number at the earliest.
2. Another important amendment that comes into effect from the financial year 2017-18, is the provision of penalty in case the return is filed late. According to this provision, if the return is not filed till 31 December, the tax payer has to pay the penalty of Rs 5,000. If the tax payer files the return after 31 December, a penalty of Rs 10,000 will be imposed. However, the penalty has been restricted to Rs 1,000 for income of up to Rs 5 lakh.
3. Only a one-page tax return form will be provided for salaried tax payers with income up to Rs 50 lakh. The source of their income can be their salary and rental income from only one house. If the tax payer has more sources of income, he cannot file his return through a one-page tax return form. Those earning up to Rs 5 lakh and filing return for the first time will be free from scrutiny.

7 Things To Remember While Calculating I-T

1. Income tax for those earning between Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh has been slashed to 5 percent. This will result in an annual saving of up to Rs 12,500 for the maximum number of tax payers. However, this saving will rise up to Rs 15,000 for tax payers who earn Rs 1 crore or more annually, if the surcharge and cess is added.
2. After having executed the amendments in the tax rebate rules, under section 87 A, only tax payers with an annual income of Rs 3.5 lakh will be benefitted. Up till now, tax rebate benefit of up to Rs 5,000 was allowed for tax payers with an annual income of Rs 5 lakh. The rebate has also been reduced to Rs 2,500.
3. Those having annual income between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore will have to pay 10 percent additional surcharge on the tax. Those who earn over Rs 1 crore will have to pay 15 percent surcharge.
4. Investors in property will enjoy more tax rebate with effect from the new financial year. The holding period for gains to qualify as long-term in the case of immovable property has been brought down to two years. Under the new rules on the sale of property that is older than two years, the taxpayer has to pay at the rate of 20 percent in addition to indexation. However, if the capital gain is invested again, the rebate on this can be availed.
5. The government has made 1 April, 2001 the base year for indexation. In the past, it was it was 1 April 1981. Due to this, change capital gain will be reduced, a move that will significantly reduce tax liability.
6. No deduction for first-time investors in the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme from 2017-18. Individuals who have claimed deduction before 1 April 2017 shall be allowed to avail a deduction for the next two years.
7. From the new year on, you can show the loss of Rs 2 lakh on house property if you have more than one house. In the past, there was no ceiling on this loss.
(This article was originally published in Quint Hindi)
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with thanks : Yahoo News : LINK : for detailed report.

1 अप्रैल से बदल रहे हैं इनकम टैक्स से जुड़े ये 10 नियम

1 अप्रैल 2017 से नया कारोबारी साल शुरू हो जाएगा और सरकारी नियम-कायदों में कई बदलाव भी लागू हो जाएंगे. इन्हीं में हमारे-आपके जानने के लिए जरूरी हैं इनकम टैक्स के नियम. अगर आप टैक्स प्लानिंग और टैक्स बचत को लेकर सजग रहते हैं, तो आपको 1 अप्रैल से बदलने वाले नए नियमों का ध्यान रखना बेहद जरूरी है. इन बदलावों को हम मोटे तौर पर दो भागों में बांट सकते हैं. पहला- इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न भरने के नियम, और दूसरा- इनकम टैक्स की गणना के नियम.

इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न भरने वाले याद रखें:

1. इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न भरने वालों के लिए एक बड़ा और अहम बदलाव ये किया गया है कि अब उन्हें अपना आधार नंबर बताना अनिवार्य होगा. पिछले साल तक रिटर्न भरने वालों के लिए आधार नंबर देना ऐच्छिक था. आम तौर पर इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न भरने की अंतिम तारीख 31 जुलाई होती है, तो बेहतर होगा कि जिन टैक्सपेयर्स के पास आधार नहीं है, वो इसे जल्द से जल्द बनवा लें.
2. इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न से जुड़ा एक और बड़ा बदलाव सरकार ने नए वित्त वर्ष 2017-18 से किया है, जिसमेंरिटर्न भरने में देरी होने पर पेनल्टी का प्रावधान है. इस प्रावधान के मुताबिक वित्त वर्ष 2017-18 का टैक्स रिटर्न अगर 31 दिसंबर तक ना भरा जाए तो 5,000 रुपए का जुर्माना लगेगा. 31 दिसंबर के बाद रिटर्न दाखिल करने पर 10,000 रुपये का जुर्माना लगेगा. हालांकि 5 लाख रुपए तक इनकम वाले टैक्सपेयर्स के लिए ये पेनल्टी 1,000 रुपए की होगी.
3. सालाना 50 लाख रुपए तक टैक्सेबल इनकम वाले नौकरीपेशा टैक्सपेयर्स को अब एक पेज का ही टैक्स रिटर्न फॉर्म भरना होगा. उनकी आय का स्रोत सिर्फ सैलरी और एक घर से रेंटल इनकम हो सकती है. अगर आय का कोई और स्रोत होगा तो एक पेज का फॉर्म भरने की इजाजत नहीं होगी. साथ ही, जो लोग 5 लाख तक कमाते हैं और जो पहली बार रिटर्न भरेंगे, उन्हें स्क्रूटनी के दायरे से बाहर रखा जाएगा.

अब बात उन बदलावों की जो आपके टैक्स की गणना से जुड़े हैंः

1. सालाना 2.5 लाख से 5 लाख रुपए तक कमाने वालों को 10 प्रतिशत की बजाए 5 प्रतिशत टैक्स देना होगा. इससे ज्यादातर करदाताओं को 12,500 रुपए तक की सालाना बचत होगी. हालांकि जिन लोगों की आमदनी एक करोड़ या इससे ज्यादा है, अगर उन पर लगने वाला सरचार्ज और सेस जोड़ लिया जाए तो उनकी बचत करीब 15,000 रुपए की होगी.
2. सेक्शन 87ए के तहत मिलने वाली टैक्स रिबेट के नियमों में बदलाव के बाद अब सालाना 3.5 लाख रुपए तक कमाने वालों को ही इसका फायदा मिलेगा. अभी तक 5 लाख तक की आमदनी वाले टैक्स रिबेट के रूप में 5,000 तक का फायदा पाते थे. छूट की रकम भी घटाकर 2,500 रुपए कर दी गई है.
3. 50 लाख से 1 करोड़ रुपए सालाना कमाने वालों को टैक्स पर 10 प्रतिशत सरचार्ज अतिरिक्त देना होगा. सुपर रिच यानी 1 करोड़ से ज्यादा कमाने वाले लोग पहले से ही 15 प्रतिशत सरचार्ज देते हैं.
4. प्रॉपर्टी के निवेशकों को भी नए वित्त वर्ष से ज्यादा टैक्स छूट मिल सकेगी. अब लॉन्ग टर्म कैपिटल गेन की गणना के लिए 3 साल की बजाय सिर्फ 2 साल तक ही प्रॉपर्टी रखना जरूरी होगा. नए नियम के तहत 2 साल पुरानी प्रॉपर्टी बेचने पर टैक्सपेयर्स को इंडेक्सेशन के साथ 20 प्रतिशत की दर से टैक्स देना होगा. हालांकि अगर कैपिटल गेन का फिर से निवेश किया जाए तो इस टैक्स से भी छूट मिल जाएगी.
5. यही नहीं, इंडेक्सेशन के लिए सरकार ने बेस ईयर या आधार वर्ष भी अब 1 अप्रैल 2001 कर दिया है. पहले ये 1 अप्रैल 1981 था. इस बदलाव की वजह से प्रॉपर्टी बेचने पर कैपिटल गेन कम होगा जिससे टैक्स देनदारी काफी कम हो जाएगी.
6. राजीव गांधी इक्विटी सेविंग स्कीम में निवेश पर 2017-18 से टैक्स राहत नहीं मिलेगी. हालांकि जिन लोगों ने वित्त वर्ष 2016-17 तक इसमें निवेश किया होगा, उन्हें स्कीम के नियमों के तहत छूट का फायदा मिलता रहेगा.
7. अगर आपके एक से ज्यादा घर हैं तो नए वित्त वर्ष से आप हाउस प्रॉपर्टी से अधिकतम 2 लाख रुपए का घाटा दिखा सकेंगे. पहले इस घाटे की कोई सीमा नहीं थी. नियम बदलने के बाद किराये पर घर देने वालों को भी उतनी ही छूट मिलेगी, जितनी सेल्फ-ऑक्युपाइड प्रॉपर्टी वालों को मिलती है.

with THANKS : TheQuint : LINK : for detailed report.