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Opposition spread rumours that if 370 is scrapped, the country will witness heinous bloodshed, but nothing happened: Yogi Adityanath

OpIndia Staff
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Opposition spread rumours that if 370 is scrapped, the country will witness heinous bloodshed, but nothing happened: Yogi Adityanath

In a spirited speech by Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Jahagirpuri assembly constituency of Delhi, he lashed out at opposition saying that Baba Saheb Ambedkar used to say that 370 will be the reason for separatism in the country. Opposition spread rumors that if the 370 is scrapped, the country will witness heinous bloodshed, but nothing happened, he said.

Taking the women empowerment as a primary concern, Yogi said, “The second term of Modiji has just completed 5-6 months of governance and the government delivered a string of historic decisions taken in this term. The women’s empowerment is a topic of discussion from the very day of independence. But women empowerment isn’t worth until the women are respected in their homes. The courageous effort was part of Modiji led BJP’s governance.

In a rebellious tone, Yogi asserted that 500 years had been fighting war battles, legal battles, firstly concealed by Mughals, then Britishers and now congress concealed and stretched the Ram Mandir dispute issue for so long. “Those who used to say that if Ram Mandir verdict will be delivered, the country will see the worst bloodshed, I convinced them not to worry as I’m here in Uttar Pradesh”.


Yogi said, “Pakistan’s terrorists are not willing to enter India, by doing so they are being killed like a mad dog. Now no biryani is served to the terrorists, this was a Congress’s ritual of serving biryani to terrorists in Kashmir and the same AAP is doing in Shaheen Bagh”. “In BJP’s favor, we see the population cheering for us, but in favor of Aam Aadmi Party Pakistan’s minister is urging people to vote For AAP on twitter, Kejriwal does not have faith in Delhi’s populace, now he’s asking his lord across the border to ask to vote him”, he added.

As a foremost reason of protests in Delhi the CAA was included in his speech, he convinced the rally, “Each and Every person knows that CAA is for persecuted minorities of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It is our duty to nurture minorities in the country. In India 3 crore Muslims grew into 21 crores, their population generated 7 times but in Pakistan, only 1% of Hindu, Sikh, Jain, etc are remaining from 23% at the time of independence”.

Read- Anti-CAA riots: ‘Liberals’ brought back the ‘urban riot’, but Yogi Adityanath might have a solution

Yogi Adityanath blamed Arvind Kejriwal for misgovernance and administrative glitch in the national capital. Hei said, “The roads are worse in Delhi and doesn’t make one feels like we’re in the capital, where is Delhi’s fund going?”

Yogi Adityanath lashed out at Anti-CAA protestors saying that the anti-CAA protests in Delhi were “not about the amended law” but a manifestation of the “grouse” harbored by the protesters “against an Indian state that is an emerging as a major power in the world”. He alleged that their ancestors divided India, so they have grumbled against “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.

He dared Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna as he did in Ganga on the occasion of Basant Panchami. “There are two godly rivers one is Ganga and the other is the Yamuna. I dare Kejriwal Ji to take a dip in the Yamuna as I did in Ganga this Basant Panchami. Due to the Namami Gange program delivered by Modiji, Ganga is nirmal now. Delhi’s common public is suffering due to a permanent administrative glitch. The population of Delhi is drinking poisonous water, Kejriwal’s satisfaction is connected with Shaheen Bagh and not with the development of the state.”

Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath will be campaigning in Delhi till February 4. He will also visit Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar, Maulvi Nagar where the protests are happening against CAA and NRC.

Hindu Sena to clear the road at Shaheen Bagh blocked by anti-CAA protesters on February 2, announces founder Vishnu Gupta

OpIndia Staff
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Hindu Sena to clear the road at Shaheen Bagh blocked by anti-CAA protesters on February 2, announces founder Vishnu Gupta

The founder and national president of Hindu Sena, Vishnu Gupta has stated that his organisation ‘Hindu Sena’ will carry out a march from Sarita Vihar to Shaheen Bagh on February 2, 2020 against the illegal occupation of one of the busiest thoroughfares of Delhi. Gupta has hoped that he will be able to get the road “cleared” at Shaheen Bagh.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M34bQogLaD4]

In an interview with Molitics, Gupta shared his organisation’s plan to root out the anti-CAA squatters occupying the road in Shaheen Bagh. The former Shiv Sena member, who now leads the Hindu Sena, said that he will be leading the march along with a raft of villagers and other members to vacate the road occupied by Shaheen Bagh protesters.

Gupta further added, “I have asked all the residents living in the nearby areas, villagers and others to join me in our march from Sarita Vihar to Shaheen Bagh against the demonstrators who have occupied the road on the pretext of opposing Citizenship Amendment Act. I hope we would be able to flush out the protesters from there tomorrow

“Occupying road is an offence. If they want to exercise their democratic right to dissent, they camp at Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidaan in Delhi. This is not the right way to protest. Lakhs of people daily travel from that road. It is causing grave inconvenience to them. People who want to reach Noida are finding it difficult to reach their destination because of these protests,” Gupta reasoned.

When asked about the chances of a violent confrontation between the Hindu Sena members and Shaheen Bagh protesters, Vishnu Gupta nonchalantly said that it is well-within in his rights to lead a protest to vacate the road that is causing distress to the residents and the daily commuters.

Read- Shaheen Bagh shooting: The second step in a cold and calculated conspiracy?

“Government is observing how the anti-CAA protesters in Shaheen Bagh are blocking the road. They will also see our pressure. If police stops us from visiting the place, our pressure will be directed on the police then. If they won’t allow us to read there, it is their responsibility to get the road cleared,” Gupta asserted.

Extolling Modi government, Gupta said that the government doing is a fine job. However, he raised questions on Delhi police, asking why are they helpless against the protesters.

“We want Delhi Police to lathicharge the protesters at Shaheen Bagh. What is stopping them from taking action against the demonstrators. Everyone should be equal before law,” Gupta said.

Furthermore, Gupta added that blocking anyone’s road is an offence and not a method of exercising one’s democratic right to protest. “Half of Delhi has come to a standstill because of the road blockade at Shaheen Bagh. If they want to exercise their democratic right to protest, carry out a sit-in march at Ramlila maidaan or at Jantar mantar, not at one of the arterial thoroughfares of the national capital,” Gupta said.

Watch: Pakistani student in Wuhan watches his Indian counterparts being evacuated as their govt ditches them after Coronavirus outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Pakistani student in Wuhan watches his Indian counterparts being evacuated as their govt ditches them after Coronavirus outbreak

While India continues with its operation to safely evacuate its citizens from Coronavirus hit China, Pakistanis remain stuck at Coronavirus hit China as Pakistan refused to evacuate their citizens stranded in Wuhan, as an “act of solidarity” towards their ally China.

A heartbreakingly tragic video has emerged in which a Pakistani student shames Pakistani authorities for their apathy towards them as he watches Indian students boarding a bus sent by the Indian embassy. The bus would carry these Indian students to the airport from where they would be airlifted to India.


In the video shared by journalist associated with The Print, many people can be seen boarding a bus. The man speaking in the video introduces himself as a Pakistani student. He says that the bus, seen in the video has been sent by the Indian Embassy to safely carry the Indian students stuck in Wuhan, China to the airport from where they would be heading to their country by the aircraft sent by the Indian government to evacuate its citizens stranded there.

He furthers that even the Bangladeshi citizens would also be evacuated by their government. He says that it is only us, Pakistanis, who are stuck here as our government does not care for their citizens stranded in China. Angrily he says that Pakistani government are not concerned about our well being -whether we live or we die or get infected, they have said that they are not concerned, the student is heard saying. They will neither evacuate us nor provide us with any facility, says the disturbed student.

Read: Coronavirus crisis: Indian Army sets up quarantine facility at Manesar in Haryana for 300 Indians returning from Wuhan

He ends by saying “shame on you Pakistan government… learn something from India, learn how they care about their citizens”.

Another 800 Pakistani nationals are stuck in Wuhan, China – the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak. Reportedly, the Pakistani government has snubbed its own citizens to show “solidarity” with China. The Pakistan Government is of the view that China is equipped with the requisite technology to contain the spread of coronavirus.

India had yesterday evacuated over 300 citizens who were stranded in Wuhan after the virus outbreak. A special Air India flight was sent by the government and the Army was tasked with constructing an extensive and well-equipped quarantine facility in Manesar to house the people returning from Wuhan. Though none of them is said to be infected, they will be kept under observation for 2 weeks at the centre.

Budget 2020: Dual tax regime, a complicated tax structure that may require professional help

Guest Author
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Budget 2020: Dual tax regime, a complicated tax structure that may require professional help

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a new dual regime of taxation for individuals and HUF (Hindu Undivided Family). This is first time in Income tax where such dual regime would be applicable. 

The purpose of this is simplification of Income tax and removal of exemption and deductions. There were many direct tax committees who had suggested this in past. However, this seems to be a complicated tax structure which requires professional help for each different scenario with lots of test and eligibility checks.

I have analysed some of the aspect of this below:

Tax slabs:

Different Slab rates for individuals less than 60 years of age in pursuance of the Budget 2020 is as follows:

Income

Old Regime

New Regime
Below Rs. 2,50,000

Nil

Nil
*Rs. 2,50,001 to Rs. 5,00,000

5%

5%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 7,50,000

20%

10%
Rs. 7,50,001 to Rs. 10,00,000

20%

15%
Rs. 10,00,001 to Rs. 12,50,000

30%

20%
Rs. 12,50,001 to Rs.15,00,000

30%

25%
Above 15,00,000

30%

30%

For age above 60 and upto 80 years and for age above 80 years separate slabs under old regime would be applicable. 

Eligibility and income criterion for choosing: 

Particulars Person not having Business Income Person having Business Income
Frequency of Option switching Can avail this option each year.

Can only opt in or out such option only once. Meaning once you choose this and then decide to opt out then cannot opt in again ever.

Implications

Need to keep check each year. Hence, this will lead to additional compliance cost to such person. Being flexible condition tax management will be easier but lead to additional expenditure on compliance to keep yearly check.

No need to keep check each year but an incorrect decision may lead to additional tax payment each year. Being rigid condition, this may lead to additional tax payment.
Change of Status A person started earning business income need to again make a decision.

A person no more having business income need to again make a decision.
Presumptive Taxation Not applicable

Decision on presumptive taxation option to be taken separately

Depreciation Not applicable

If opted for new regime with presumptive taxation then no depreciation allowed.

If opted for new regime without presumptive tax then depreciation allowed but additional depreciation not allowed.

 

Deductions and exemption to be foregone:

Person will have to forego many exemptions/deductions if they choose to pay tax under new system.

Major such exemptions or deductions are listed below:-

    1. Standard deduction for salary of Rs. 50,000
    2. Deduction 80C i.e. ELSS, PF, Insurance premium, School fees, principal repayment on housing loan, etc upto Rs. 1,50,000
    3. Interest on housing loan for self-occupied property or vacant property upto Rs. 2,00,000
    4. loss will not be allowed under house property income
    5. Carry forward of past losses including depreciation will not be allowed.
    6. Mediclaim premium and expenses on medical expenses (Sections 80D and 80DDB, etc)
    7. Interest on education loan under section 80E
    8. Deduction for donations made charitable and other institutions (Section 80G)
    9. Leave travel concession (Section 10(5))
    10. House rent allowance (HRA) (Section 10(13A))
    11. Allowances to MPs/MLAs
    12. Profession tax deduction for salary
    13. Family pension deduction u/s 57
    14. Depreciation u/s 32. 

Illustration:- Individual earning income upto Rs.20,00,000/- ( Salary), 80C deduction assuming eligible for Rs. 1,50,000, 80G deduction- 1,00,000 , PT:-2,500, Standard deduction for salary:- Rs.50,000.

Particulars

New  Regime

Old Regime
Salary

20,00,000

20,00,000
Less:- Standard Deduction

–

(50,000)
Less:- Professional Tax u/s 16

–

(2,500)
Net salary/ GTI

20,00,000

19,47,500
Deductions under Chp VI-A
80C

–

(1,50,000)
80G and other sections

–

(1,00,000)
Total income

20,00,000

16,97,500
Basic Tax

3,37,500

3,21,750

 

This is very basic example still, tax under new regime is higher. Hence, every person will have to calculate this every year. May be more than once depending on the availability of surplus for investment purpose and any life events. Hence, a person may end up doing such calculations at least two to three times in a year. 

However, a person who is not an expert in taxation will find it difficult to go through each section and decide each year. 

An ideal situation would have been to remove exemptions and deductions and have same simplified system for everyone. 

Author Nikhil Vadia is a Mumbai-based Chartered Accountant. Views personal.

Jammu and Kashmir: Scolded for missing tuition, teenage boys try to enter Pakistan to become terrorists, caught and handed over to families

OpIndia Staff
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Jammu and Kashmir: Scolded for missing tuition, teenage boys try to enter Pakistan to become terrorists, caught and handed over to families

Two teenage boys studying in the 11th standard were arrested while trying to cross Line of Control in Baramulla in north Kashmir on Saturday. After receiving counselling for four days the boys have been handed over to their families.

Abdul Qayoom, SSP Baramulla said that both the boys had left home after one of them was scolded for missing tuitions. “They wanted to cross LoC and become militants. They were intercepted here and we wanted to give them a chance, so returned them to their families after 4-day counselling.”


The SSP in a press conference said that these two young boys hailing from south Kashmir village were apprehended in Gantmulla area of Baramulla by a joint team of forces.

Read- In 2016, two teenagers got radicalised, converted to Islam, pledged allegiance to ISIS and tried to blow up Eiffel Tower for their wedding

He further added that during the investigation the boys revealed that they had purchased a map and then were planning to go the other side. The boys had reached Baramulla on a train, where they saw a hill and thought that Pakistan is on the other side. They asked a local person how to reach the hill, and they were told that vehicles are available on that route. So they boarded a Tata Sumo running on that route, and after reaching the hill they started walking. There a local person met them and asked where they were going, when they said that they want to cross the border, they were told that there is no border crossing there, and they need to go to Uri for that.

As it was getting late, that person advised them to stay the night there. Accordingly, the boys spent the night at a mosque, they also had food at a festival that was organised at that place. The next day they boarded a bus to Uri. During a routine check-up of the bus, the map was found with the boys. When the boys were questioned by the security forces, they narrated the story behind their journey, after which both were apprehended by a joint team of forces at Gantmulla.

But as the boys are of young age and studying in school, the security forces decided to give them a chance of rehabilitation by releasing them.

Qayoom also confirmed that the boys were interrogated after which they received proper counselling. The teenagers were then reunited with their respective families and were advised not to follow the path of violence and instead concentrate on studies. The SSP said that they believe that the boys will complete their studies and will not take the wrong path.

Shaheen Bagh shooting: The second step in a cold and calculated conspiracy?

K Bhattacharjee
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Shaheen Bagh shooting: The second step in a cold and calculated conspiracy?

The second shooting in Delhi in a matter of three days over the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act has been reported from Shaheen Bagh. While he was being taken into custody, the suspect said, “Hamare desh me kisi aur ki nahi chalegi, bas Hinduon ki chalegi (Only the writ of Hindus shall run in India, no one else’s).”


While it is only to be expected that usual suspects will latch on to the latest incident to pile on their mythical narrative of Hindu Terror, there are certain aspects to the entire series of events that demand that people observe some caution before reaching any conclusions on the matter. Only the adequate authorities after due investigation would be able to conclude the actual motivations of the suspect.

In the first instance involving the minor Gulshan (name changed), there were pertinent questions we had raised about the dominant narrative. He had started posting on his Facebook page only in January despite the fact that the account was created much earlier. There were a few unexplained ‘page likes’ on the profile as well. The strange behaviour of the media and the police when the incident occurred was suspicious as well. Furthermore, when the media enquired of his name, he addressed himself as ‘Rambhakt’. There are other pertinent questions about the whole series of events that we had raised in our report.

Read: Meet Shadab Najar: The Jamia student who was injured in the shooting on Thursday during anti-CAA protest march

In the current instance of Kapil, there are pertinent questions that need to be asked as well. First and foremost, the suspect appears to have shot in the air and therefore, no one was injured. This time, the bullet cases appear to have landed on the ground fortuitously enough for the media to gather around and take photographs of them to share with the rest of the world. It is pertinent to note here that fortunately, or as planned, no one was injured in the shooting at Shaheen Bagh.


Usual suspects would point towards Kapil’s words as he was being detained, however, words are often empty and devoid of any serious motivation. There is a certain similarity with the shooting at Jamia on the 30th of January as well. When the media asked the Jamia suspect his name, he was more than willing to claim that his name was ‘Rambhakt’. In this instance, Kapil appears to have wanted the media his words to be carried forward loud and clear which is the perfect food for the Left. A person in the video can be heard reacting hysterically to Kapil’s words.

Most suspiciously, however, as per reports, it is the eyewitnesses who claimed that the suspect identified himself as Kapil Gujjar from Dallupura village in Uttar Pradesh. That appears to be a lot of information to give away by a person seriously intent upon causing significant damage. It is indeed highly unusual, especially given the fact that he failed in his objective so spectacularly that one is forced to think that harming anyone was never his intention. Both the shooting at Jamia and today at Shaheen Bagh today appear almost designed to be more of a public spectacle more than anything else given what we know so far.


Given the political drama that has ensued over the Jamia shooting, the political aspect of it cannot be ignored. Therefore, the Left would do well to save their words for now lest they are forced to eat them later. Even if the thing was not staged, it could very well be that the shooter was doing it for his five minutes of fame in the media. That possibility can certainly not be ignored.

In both instances, the shooting took place prominently where the police was already present. While we can obviously not be sure that these are staged, however, by the sequence of events and mysterious questions that remain unanswered, one does wonder.

The media and the Left has been pandering to and whitewashing the Islamists for far too long. Their propensity to not just stand by as Islamists break India, but to throw Hindus under the bus for their misplaced sense of “secularism” is far too obvious in the face of anti-CAA riots. So long, their ecosystem has gotten away with most of their propaganda. However, with the anti-CAA riots, genuine discontent is building amongst the population of the country that doesn’t subscribe to the “Tukde Tukde” ideology.

Before pinning the entire blame on the Hindu Right without any due investigation, it ought to be remembered that a concerted plan was launched by Congress party which was ruling India in the previous decade to concoct the myth of ‘Hindu Terror’. Therefore, before reaching any conclusion, proper investigation into the matter is definitely in order. The media and Left must be careful lest the situation gets worse due to genuine brewing anger.

Vijay Mallya called lobbyist Deepak Talwar’s aide asking her to ‘manage his case in ED’, lawyer of ED tells court

OpIndia Staff
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Vijay Mallya called lobbyist Deepak Talwar’s aide asking her to ‘manage his case in ED’, lawyer of ED tells court

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday revealed in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court that fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya spoke to Yasmin Kapoor last week asking her to manage his case. Kapoor is a close aide of aviation lobbyist Deepak Talwar. Vijay Mallya is currently facing extradition proceedings in London.

The ED’s special public prosecutor Nitesh Rana made this remarkable revelation before CBI judge Anurag Sain at the Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. Vijay Mallya allegedly called her and asked her to manage his case in the ED. Nitish Rana was reportedly opposing Yasmin Kapoor’s anticipatory bail plea in the money-laundering probe related to Deepak Talwar’s NGO Advantage India. While Kapoor playing an important role in Money-laundering, it is alleged that the NGO received approximately 90.72 crores rupees under the CSR Scheme for carrying out social activities but diverted for other purposes.

Yasmin Kapoor was arrested earlier by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the last September, later she was taken into custody by ED but for different cases related to causing damage to Air India by favoring private airlines. After spending 3 months in jail, she was later granted bail on December 13.

Now ED is seeking to arrest Kapoor in the NGO Advantage India case as she might be a key link to unearth a larger conspiracy in Talwar’s deals. It is alleged that Kapoor is a shareholder or director in several shell companies created or controlled by Talwar.

While showing the case files including two-page transcripts of Kapoor’s conversation with Mallya to Judge on Friday, Nitesh Rana informed the court that Vijay Mallya made a phone call to Yasmin Kapoor asking her “if she knew ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra” and if she can help “manage the case”. Kapoor told Mallya that she has no acquaintance with ED director but she knows the “number 2” in the agency. Her phone was put under surveillance by ED.

A source said, “it appears that Mallya was in touch with Kapoor on more than one occasion. A female associate of Mallya was also calling Yasmin Kapoor”.

“Mallya’s call from London to Kapoor is strong evidence against him as well. We will convey to the UK high court in February, when his appeal against extradition comes for hearing, that he is trying to influence the investigation in India,” the ED officer Nitish Rana added.

Nitesh Rana asserted: “Yasmin Kapoor’s past conduct has also been questionable as she has tried to influence and destroy the evidence earlier as well. Since she came out on bail [in December], she has been trying to influence the probe”.

Kapoor’s lawyer and senior Advocate N Hariharan strongly objected against the surveillance of Kapoor’s phone and he termed it “unconstitutional”.

Questioning the permissibility of surveillance, N Hariharan said: “First of all, I don’t understand what they are trying to prove. Just for the sake of prejudice, you create something and place it before the court. How can an unrelated matter (Mallya case) be ground in another matter? When there is nothing against her in an unrelated case, is ED trying to say she can’t talk to anybody?”

Read- Prashant Bhushan and left-liberal cabal was actively helping Vijay Mallya in UK court by attacking CBI special director Rakesh Asthana

On it, Rana reverted that “tapping was done after following the due procedure” and that “if any evidence surfaces during the course of surveillance, it is my (ED’s) duty to place it [before the court]”.

Hariharan added that “ED has already questioned Yasmin Kapoor in the case. Why does it need her custody now? There is nothing in the case”.

A charge sheet was filed in Aviation case on November 30, 2019, against Kapoor, after ED alleged that they diverted a huge amount of worth approximately 144 crores. Deepak Talwar was deported from Dubai in January, after which he was arrested by ED; he was taken under the custody of CBI in July. He is currently placed in Tihar jail.

He is accused of receiving payments of approximately 272 crores during 2008-09 from private international airlines by the preference of securing favorable traffic rights using his contacts, allegedly causing huge damage to state-owned Air India.

Six Indians stopped by Chinese authorities from being evacuated amidst Coronavirus outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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Six Indians stopped by Chinese authorities from being evacuated amidst Coronavirus outbreak

At least six Indians have been stopped by Chinese authorities from boarding the special Air India flight that evacuated 324 nationals from Wuhan amidst the Coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 200 people in China.

Reportedly, the flight from Wuhan was delayed as immigration and Chinese authorities did not allow six Indians on board after they reported high temperatures during screening. Four students and two trainees from a Shenzhen-based Chinese electronics company were stopped at immigration during their medical screening just before they were to board the New Delhi-bound aircraft.

All six had symptoms of above normal or fluctuating temperatures during the screening and were immediately asked to step aside from the immigration line. Fever, cough and shortness of breath are three key symptoms of the novel Coronavirus, a previously unknown strain.

Soon after, they were taken away to another facility for further checkups. The local authorities felt that the six Indians may have been carrying symptoms of the virulent disease. They were told their return to India would be indefinitely postponed.

“As you are aware, yesterday at the airport you were not allowed to board the flight as the Chinese authorities felt that your body temperature was of concern. As a result, we have been advised that you may be placed under observation before you are considered for repatriation to India,” confirmed the Indian embassy in China.

Read: Kerala student tests positive for coronavirus, India’s first confirmed case

Two of the individuals speaking to the Hindustan Times have said that they were unaware that why Chinese authorities did not allow them. “I have been inside my dormitory on self-quarantine for more than a week. The slight rise in temperature could be for any reason. I don’t have any issue of cold and cough,” a company trainee said.

The trainee added that local Chinese officials have not shared any information about the number of days they have to be under observation. “What do we do next? What will I do for food? What happens if I actually contract the disease here?” the trainee asked.

“They said they cannot allow us to leave immediately. We need to stay in observation,” the second one among the six informed to Hindustan Times. “It’s not exactly quarantine but they will not allow us to go back to India early,” the person added.

A specially-prepped Air India Boeing 747, with five doctors from Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and an Air India paramedic, landed in the national capital on Saturday morning after evacuating Indians from China.

The Indians evacuated from Wuhan have been quarantined in special facilities in Haryana’s Manesar and Delhi. The Indians will be observed for signs of infection for two weeks by a team of doctors and medical personnel.

The deadly coronavirus has wreaked havoc in China, taking the death toll to 200 and the confirmed infection cases to nearly 11,000. Meanwhile, health experts have warned that the epidemic may reach its peak in the next 10 days resulting in large-scale casualties.

The Central Hubei province is the epicentre of the virus. The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak may reach its peak in one week or around 10 days.

Corporate tax cuts will improve revenue generation: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

OpIndia Staff
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Corporate tax cuts will improve revenue generation: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her second budget on Saturday. Ahead of the budget, there were great expectations from her to deliver on Narendra Modi’s vision of a $5 trillion economy. As such, the provisions in the budget regarding corporate taxes are crucial towards achieving that objective.

In tune with the Corporate Tax cuts announced in September 2019, Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced proposed reduction of tax rates on cooperative societies to 22 per cent plus surcharge and cess, from 30 per cent at present.

In addition, Nirmala Sitharaman also announced the abolition of Dividend Distribution Tax(DDT), pegging the revenue forgone due to its removal at Rs 25000 crores. The Finance Minister said that the removal of DDT will encourage corporates to invest more.

Defending the loss of substantial revenue due to corporate tax slashed in September 2019, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured that the recent loss of government treasury will reap huge returns in due course. “Corporate tax cut and benefit derived by new companies, as well as improved GST collections will improve revenue generation & give the comfort to bring down fiscal deficit next year, with disinvestment too improving,” Sitharaman said.


The measures announced in the budget are consistent with the trajectory of the second term of the Narendra Modi government. In September, last year, Corporate Tax Rates were slashed by a significant degree in order to boost the economy. In a bid to give an impetus to the ‘Make in India’ campaign, a provision was inserted in the Income Tax Act with effect from 2019-20 which allowed new domestic company incorporated after 1st October 2019 to make fresh investment in manufacturing with an option to pay income tax at the rate of 15%.

Sitharaman had also announced that domestic companies can also pay income tax at the rate of 22% if they do not avail any incentive or exemptions. Following the move, the effective tax rates for these companies, including surcharge and cess came down to 25.17% from earlier 35%. To provide relief to companies availing of concessions and benefits, the FM had brought in a MAT relief by reducing it from 18% to 15%.

Maharashtra: Dr Rafiq Zakaria Women’s College in Aurangabad bans mobile phones on campus to ‘improve focus on studies’

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Dr Rafiq Zakaria Women’s College in Aurangabad bans mobile phones on campus to ‘improve focus on studies’

Dr Rafiq Zakaria Women’s College in Aurangabad, Maharashtra has banned the use of mobile phones inside the college campus during college hours. It said it had taken this action to help students improve their focus on studies.

Speaking to PTI, Principal of Dr Rafiq Zakaria Women’s College, Dr Maqdoom Farooqui said, “We were searching for measures to enhance the process of learning and we found that students could concentrate better when they are not allowed to carry their cellphones to classrooms.”

The women’s college which offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses and houses around 3000 students imposed this ban 15 days ago. The ban has not only helped students focus better in classrooms, but also improved their interaction with their peers, said Dr Farooqui.

Although students are not allowed to carry their own phones on campus, a couple of handsets are kept in the reading room for emergencies, he added.

The principal furthered that “Initially, the decision was taken as a punishment for overuse of cellphones, but now students and staff are cooperating in the effort to enhance the learning and teaching process.”

Students, who travel to the college from far away places, have to deposit their phones once they enter the campus and collect them on their way home, he added.

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