Brief about - The AADHAAR (targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services) Bill, 2016

Lok Sabha passes the AADHAAR (targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services) Bill, 2016. It was introduced as a Money bill (under article 110) so that it can be passed hassle free or without opposition objection in Parliament. As, a money bill need to be tabled first in Lok Sabha and then, Rajya Sabha which is bound to pass it within 14 days otherwise it is considered to be passed and sent to the President for assent.

Important points to remember:

1. AADHAR or Unique Identity Number (UID) will provide a legal backing to government plan to pass on the targeted subsidies in person's account. Individual will have to provide AADHAR number to receive government subsidies for various purposes.
2. It is intended to save government's money which is disseminated to many intermediaries instead of reaching to the beneficiaries. Through targeted subsidies directly into the bank account of beneficiary, government will try to eliminate the pilferage and leakages in the system.
3. To get AADHAR number, a person is entitled to be an Indian citizen (resided for 182 days in year preceding to the year applying for AADHAR). It can be obtained from any UID authority office. A person has to just provide his, (i) biometric (photograph, finger print, iris scan) and (ii) demographic (name, date of birth, address) information.
4. A person enrolled for UID number will be asked to share his/her information. The individual will be informed of, (i) the manner in which information is shared, (ii) nature of receipts with whom information has been shared, (iii) right to access, when he/she is enrolled for AADHAR.
5. Any public or private authority can accept it as a proof of identity, but it will not be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.
   
   
6. The UID authority will consist of a chairperson, two part-time members and a chief executive officer. The chairperson and members are required to have experience of at least ten years in matters such as technology, governance, etc.
7. If an entity or agency request to authenticate the AADHAR number of an individual, will have to take consent of that individual before getting information from UID authority. An entity ot agency can only use information for which the person has given the consent.
8. UID is not authorized to share Biometric information such as finger print, iris scan, or other biological attributes. UID can reply in positive, negative or other appropriate response to the requesting agency demanding the verification of a person's identity.
9. A person may be punished with imprisonment upto three years and minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh for unauthorised access to the centralized data-base, including revealing any information stored in it. If a requesting entity and an enrolling agency fail to comply with rules, they shall be punished with imprisonment upto one year or a fine upto Rs 10,000 or Rs one lakh (in case of a company), or with both.
10. In the interest of national security, Joint secretary in the central government or a Court can give an order of revealing- Individual's AADHAR number; Biometric information; Photograph; and Demographic information. The decision of Joint Secretary will be reviewed by an Oversight Committee (comprising Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of Legal Affairs and Electronics and Information Technology) and will be valid for six months.  
11. No Court can take cognizance of any offence of its own in this matter, unless a complaint is made by UID authority or a person authorised by it. 

Although the government intentions are to provide the subsidy benefit to the right people and reduce expenditure burden, yet it has few issues which need to be encountered. And, that's why opposition wanted to the bill should be sent to Standing committee.

Tax reforms proposed in Budget 2016-17-Other taxation proposals:

• Additional tax at the rate of 10% of gross amount of dividend will be payable by the recipients receiving dividend in excess of Rs.10 lakh per annum.
• Surcharge to be raised from 12% to 15% on persons, other than companies, firms and cooperative societies having income above Rs.1 crore.
• Tax to be deducted at source at the rate of 1 % on purchase of luxury cars exceeding value of Rs.ten lakh and purchase of goods and services in cash exceeding Rs.two lakh.
• Securities Transaction tax in case of ‘Options’ is proposed to be increased from .017% to .05%.
• Equalization levy of 6% of gross amount for payment made to nonresidents exceeding Rs.1 lakh a year in case of B2B transactions.
• Krishi Kalyan Cess, @ 0.5% on all taxable services, w.e.f. 1 June 2016. Proceeds would be exclusively used for financing initiatives for improvement of agriculture and welfare of farmers. Input tax credit of this cess will be available for payment of this cess.
• Infrastructure cess, of 1% on small petrol, LPG, CNG cars, 2.5% on diesel cars of certain capacity and 4% on other higher engine capacity vehicles and SUVs. No credit of this cess will be available nor credit of any other tax or duty be utilized for paying this cess.
• Excise duty of ‘1% without input tax credit or 12.5% with input tax credit’ on articles of jewellery (excluding silver jewellery, other than studded with diamonds and some other precious stones}, with a higher exemption and eligibility limits of Rs.6 crores and Rs.12 crores respectively.
• Excise on readymade garments with retail price of Rs.1000 or more raised to 2% without input tax credit or 12.5% with input tax credit.
• ‘Clean Energy Cess’ levied on coal, lignite and peat renamed to ‘Clean Environment Cess’ and rate increased from `200 per tonne to `400 per tonne.
• Excise duties on various tobacco products other than beedi raised by about 10 to 15%.
• Assignment of right to use the spectrum and its transfers has been deducted as a service leviable to service tax and not sale of intangible goods.

Tax reforms proposed in Budget 2016-17 -Certainity in and rationalization of taxes:

Certainity in and rationalization of taxes:

• Committed to providing a stable and predictable taxation regime and reduce black money.
  Domestic taxpayers can declare undisclosed income or such income represented in the form of any asset by paying tax at 30%, and surcharge at 7.5% and penalty at 7.5%, which is a total of 45% of the undisclosed income. Declarants will have immunity from prosecution.
• Surcharge levied at 7.5% of undisclosed income will be called Krishi Kalyan surcharge to be used for agriculture and rural economy.
• New Dispute Resolution Scheme to be introduced. No penalty in respect of cases with disputed tax up to Rs.10 lakh. Cases with disputed tax exceeding Rs.10 lakh to be subjected to 25% of the minimum of the imposable penalty. Any pending appeal against a penalty order can also be settled by paying 25% of the minimum of the imposable penalty and tax interest on quantum addition.
• High Level Committee chaired by Revenue Secretary to oversee fresh cases where assessing officer applies the retrospective amendment.
• One-time scheme of Dispute Resolution for ongoing cases under retrospective amendment.
  Penalty rates to be 50% of tax in case of under-reporting of income and 200% of tax where there is misreporting of facts.
• Disallowance will be limited to 1% of the average monthly value of investments yielding exempt income, but not exceeding the actual expenditure claimed under rule 8D of Section 14A of Income Tax Act.
• Time limit of one year for disposing petitions of the tax payers seeking waiver of interest and penalty.
• Mandatory for the assessing officer to grant stay of demand once the assesse pays 15% of the disputed demand, while the appeal is pending before Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals).
• Monetary limit for deciding an appeal by a single member Bench of ITAT enhanced from Rs.15 lakhs to Rs.50 lakhs.
• 11 new benches of Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT). 
• 13 cesses, levied by various Ministries in which revenue collection is less than Rs.50 crore in a year to be abolished.
• For non-residents providing alternative documents to PAN card, higher TDS not to apply.
• Additional options to banking companies and financial institutions, including NBFCs, for reversal of input tax credits with respect to nontaxable services.
• Customs Act to provide for deferred payment of customs duties for importers and exporters with proven track record.
• Customs Single Window Project to be implemented at major ports and airports starting from beginning of next financial year.

Measures for Pensioned Society:Tax reforms proposed in Budget 2016-17

Measures for Pensioned Society:

• Proposed to make withdrawal up to 40% of the corpus at the time of retirement tax exempt in the case of National Pension Scheme.
• Limit for contribution of employer in recognized Provident and Superannuation Fund of Rs.1.5 lakh per annum for taking tax benefit. Exemption from service tax for Annuity services provided by NPS and Services provided by EPFO to employees.
• Reduce service tax on Single premium Annuity (Insurance) Policies from 3.5% to 1.4% of the premium paid in certain cases.

Promoting Affordable Housing:

• 100% deduction for profits to an undertaking in housing project for flats upto 30 sq. metres in four metro cities and 60 sq. metres in other cities, approved during June 2016 to March 2019 and completed in three years. MAT to apply.
• Deduction for additional interest of Rs.50,000 per annum for loans up to Rs.35 lakh sanctioned in 2016-17 for first time home buyers, where house cost does not exceed Rs.50 lakh. 
• Distribution made out of income of SPV to the REITs and INVITs having specified shareholding will not be subjected to Dividend Distribution Tax, in respect of dividend distributed after the specified date.
• Exemption from service tax on construction of affordable houses up to 60 square metres under any scheme of the Central or State Government including PPP Schemes.
• Extend excise duty exemption, presently available to Concrete Mix manufactured at site for use in construction work to Ready Mix Concrete.

Tax reforms proposed in Budget 2016-17

Arun jaitely proposed few tax reliefs and changes in the existing tax structure. It was necessary to transform and impetus the economic growth of India. The other pivotal measures taken in budget 2016-17 can be read here- Vital measures taken in budget 2016-17. Besides the measures to push Agriculture and Social sector schemes, tax proposals change are taken as:-

• Glossary of key terms of Budget

Relief to Small tax payers:

• Tax rebate under section 87A has been raised from Rs.2000 to Rs.5000 provided that tax amount to one year does not exceed Rs.5 lakhs.
• Increase the limit of deduction of rent paid under section 80GG from Rs.24000 per annum to Rs.60000, to provide relief to those who live in rented houses.
• Presumptive taxation scheme under section 44AD of the Income Tax Act is available for small and medium enterprises, having turnover Rs.1 crore annually. The tax limit has been raised to Rs.2 crore per annum.
• Extended the presumptive taxation scheme to professionals with gross receipts up to Rs.50 lakh with the presumption of profit being 50% of the gross receipts. 

Relief to Private sectors from taxes:

•  The accelerated depreciation provided under IT Act will be limited to maximum 40% from 1.4.2017.
• The benefit of deductions for Research would be limited to 150% from 1.4.2017 and 100% from 1.4.2020.
• The benefit of section 10AA to new SEZ units will be available to those units which commence activity before 31.3.2020.
• The weighted deduction under section 35CCD for skill development will continue up to 1.4.2020.
• The new manufacturing companies which are incorporated on or after 1.3.2016 are proposed to be given an option to be taxed at 25% + surcharge and cess provided they do not claim profit linked or investment linked deductions and do not avail of investment allowance and accelerated depreciation.
• Proposed to lower the corporate income tax rate for the next financial year of relatively small enterprises i.e companies with turnover not exceeding Rs.5 crore (in the financial year ending March 2015), to 29% plus surcharge and cess.
• Proposed to assist their propagation through 100% deduction of profits for 3 out of 5 years for startups set up during April 2016 to March 2019. MAT will apply in such cases. Capital gains will not be taxed if invested in regulated/notified Fund of Funds and by individuals in notified startups, in which they hold majority shares.
• Proposed a special patent regime with 10% rate of tax on income from worldwide exploitation of patents developed and registered in India.
• Complete pass through of income-tax to securitization trusts including trusts of ARCs. Securitisation trusts required to deduct tax at source.
• Period for getting benefit of long term capital gain regime in case of unlisted companies is proposed to be reduced from three to two years.
• Non-banking financial companies shall be eligible for deduction to the extent of 5% of its income in respect of provision for bad and doubtful debts.
• Determination of residency of foreign company on the basis of Place of Effective Management (POEM) is proposed to be deferred by one year.
• Commitment to implement General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) from 1.4.2017.
• Exemption of service tax on services provided under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen
• Kaushalya Yojana and services provided by Assessing Bodies empanelled by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
• Exemption of Service tax on general insurance services provided under ‘Niramaya’ Health Insurance Schemelaunched by National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability.
• Basic custom and excise duty on refrigerated containers reduced to 5% and 6%.
• A number of assistive devices, rehabilitation aids and other goods for differently abled (Divyang) persons attract Nil basic customs duty. It was proposed to extend this exemption to Braille paper.
• Changes in customs and excise duty rates on certain inputs to reduce costs and improve competitiveness of domestic industry in sectors like Information technology hardware, capital goods, defence production, textiles, mineral fuels & mineral oils, chemicals & petrochemicals, paper, paperboard & newsprint, Maintenance repair and overhauling [MRO] of aircrafts and ship repair.

India's first solar powered village in Orissa

You might have heard about the government projects of Solar-power installed in acres of land and used to distribute the electricity need of the nearby households.
But, what happen when the dwellers of a village and a company start initiative with their own and light up their households with the most eco-friendly mean of producing electricity.

Baripatha, a tribal village 25 km southwest of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, got electricity on 2nd October with the help of IPS officer and the company ECCO electronics and Jackson Group which claims the solar-panel to be low-cost, low-maintenance and community owned elements. The company also claims that it is a zero-maintenance solar-panel project which can be easily maintained by the dwellers. The solar-panel requires only cleaning and need to check the water level in the batteries is at optimum level or not.

The Rs 7 lakh project, co-funded by ECCO Electronics (a solar products manufacturer) and Jakson Group (a diversified power solutions provider), has put individual solar units with two lamps in each of the village’s 61 houses, along with a central one kilowatt unit that powers eight street lamps, and an TV along with set-top box for the community centre.
There is also a man behind this initiative is Joydeep Nayak, IPS officer who lighted up the 350-odd dwellers. "This project can be replicated to other 3900 villages of Orissa" he said.

Orissa is prone to cyclone and high speed winds, so in that case the center solar panel consisting of eight solar panel can be folded in 2 minutes to protect it from getting damage. And this unit also run 1-horsepower irrigation pump.

Outcomes of India-African Summit 2015

3rd India-Africa summit held on 26, October 2015 to 29, October 2015 in New Delhi. Total 54 African countries head and representatives attended the summit organized by India to bolster the economic and social development relations.

Africa continent consists of a huge natural resources and minerals and every nation wants to be part of economic development of the African nations. India's current trade with Africa amounts to about $75 billion and total funds granted by India since 2011 at around $7.4 billion. Africa is also important for India for its UNSC security council permanent membership and also provides immense of scope of growth, if both moved together on the path of socio-economic development.

PM Modi said "This is a world of free nations and awakened aspirations. Our institutions can not be representative of our world, if they do not give voice to Africa, with more than a quarter of UN members, the world's largest democracy with one-sixth of humanity". He also said "two-third of Indian and African population is under 35 which can shape and build the path of development." He also stressed on cooperation on climate change and at COP21 UNFCC Conference in Paris, going to held at the end of year.

Bilateral Meeting 

India hoped for the coorperation of African nations and the need to coordinate their positions at UN during its 70th year, when India hopes the reform process will be taken forward. India offered a grant assistance of $600 million. This will include an India-Africa Health Fund of $10 million and India-Africa Development fund of $100 million.

India also announced credit at a concessional rate of $10 billion over 5 years, in addition to $7.4 billion announced in 2011.

The President Pranab Mukherjee also hosted the dinner at grand banquet, Rashtrapati Bhavan on 29, October, 2015. This is one of the biggest summit held outside Africa after 2008 summit in New Delhi and 2011 summit in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethopia where only representatives of the respective countries participated.

Latest development:know about the conflict in Syria

The fourth attempt was made in February, 2016 with third peace talk in Geneva. known as Geneva III conference on Syria. The talks held between ISSG and UN security council. UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura invited the Saudi Arabia-backed coalition of 34 groups, the 'High Negotiation Committee' (HNC), which did not include Syrian Kurdish groups; he also invited some moderate opposition members, supported by Russia but not part of the Saudi-backed coalition. The exclusion of the main Syrian Kurdish party, the PYD, from the talks was in line with Turkey′s objections to their participation.

Germany has declared the ceasefire to alleviate the situation and on the line of it, Russia has also declared ceasefire and humanitarian supply will be resumed. Russia has also clarified that ceasefire is not for IS group and Al-Nusra front.

Lately, the situation has got aggravated when Kurd in the northern region of Syria, bordered with Turkey declared an Autonomous Federal region. It has been condemned by US, Tukey and Assad government. The Syrian situation is like no-win situation where Shia-Sunni try to reinforce each other in the Middle East region. Whereas, Assad government has military support with all resources trying every possible effort to suppress the non-united rebellion groups lacking resources and military capability.  

All you need to know about the conflict in Syria

Five years turmoil in the Middle east region of the world is heading to no solution. The conflict in Syria due to ISIS terrorist organization rose to uproot the regime of Baser-Al-Assad. This conflict of more than 5 years has resulted in disastrous outcomes for people of Syria and the neighbouring countries- Turkey and Jordan. It has also affected the demography of the European nations accepting refugees on large scale.

The Syrian Center for Policy Research in February 2016 documents claim that more than 470,000 people died and more than 1.9 million get injured since the outbreak of civil war in March, 2011. The catastrophic situation has impacted the life expectancy, dropped from 70 to 55.4 in these years. Millions of migrated to other countries and living in camps under life threatening conditions. 

Background:

The religious composition of Syria is complex. Out of 23 million people, Arab Sunni consists of 60 percent; Alawite Shia consists of 12 percent; Christian 13 percent; Kurds 9 percent; and other 6 percent. There is no democratic government due to civil war broke out in Syria. President Basar-Al-Assad belong to Alawite Shia community ruling it with military power for many years.

Syria crisis started in March, 2011 as a spillover effect of Arab Spring (aroused in 2010-2012 to uproot the corrupt and oppressive political regimes of Arab nations). It was first started in Tunisia in 2010 known as 'Jasmine Revolution', and in Egypt is known as 'Lotus Revolution'. This reached to different middle east nations like Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria. It was initially supported by many scholars and intellectual and called it necessary step to establish a democratic government in Arab nations. But, it took a catastrophic turn in Syria where the largest battle to uphold power is going on.
Groups like Al-Nusra front and Syrian Army (rebel groups) demanded the restoration of democratic rights and representation of their community in the government. This movement was supported by other neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and their western allies like US and European Union. But, the president of Syria- Basar-Al Assad had well organized military which was used to crush these rebellion groups. The dominant sunni states like Saudi Arabia, Turkey are opposed to it. Thus, they supported Sunni rebellion and other groups of Syria against Shiite Assad regime. Shia-Sunni conflict got worse after the fall of Saddam Hussain regime in Iraq after US war. US wanted to install anti-Saddam Shia government in the region, which again become bone of contention among the middle east nations.






This situation gave rise to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/Levant), an international terrorists organization, in June 2014 under the leadership of Abu Bakr Baghdadi. He and his army captured the region of east Iraq and west Syria and declared himself as Calipha of new Islamic state. Islamic state emerged in the wake of 2003 war of US on Iraq. It was led by Jordanian militant Musab-al Zarqawi and headed Al Qeada in Iraq. Zarqawi was killed by US forces in 2003 only, but his successors remained active who captured large part of Iraq and Syria and named it Islamic State in 2014. It has been estimated that it has an army of 13000 and another Sunni militant group of the region, linked with other terrorists organization of the world. Due to their heinous war and crimes on people and other activities in Western countries, it has been now in the battle with USA and its allies, and Russia.

The dramatic turn took place in September 2015 when Russia, supporter of Assad regime in Syria declared war on ISIS militant group. Since, rebellion groups like Al-Nusra front and Syrian Army have been supported by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, they have objected the intervention of Russia forces in Syria. Although, Russia has claimed to only war with ISIS militant group in west Syria near Latakia.    

11 Important Facts of Integrated Power Distribution Scheme (IPDS)

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi launched the Rs. 45,800-crore Integrated Power Distribution Scheme to strengthen uninterrupted 24x7 power supply and mitigate the transmission loss.
PM launched this scheme on 18th, September, 2015 in Varanasi. Out of the total amount Rs 1,067 crore has been sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh, including Rs 572 crore for Varanasi. The Project aims to convert area overhead lines into underground cabling in the areas around the temples and ghats in the Varanasi city.
Facts of IPDS scheme:

IPDS scheme launched with estimated budget of 45,800 crore rupees, will be spent by GOI.
Aim to provide Uninterrupted power supply for 24x7 to all households and industries, to every corner of India by 2022. 
Strengthening of old sub-transmission, creation of new ones, and distribution network in the urban areas, including provisional of Solar panel; Metering of distribution transformers /feeders / consumers in the urban areas includes estimated outlay of Rs.32,612 crore including budgetary support of Rs.25,354 crore from GOI.

IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network as per CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) approval dated 21.06.2013 for completion of targets laid down under Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (RAPDRP) for 12th and 13th Plans by carrying forward the approved outlay for RAPDRP to IPDS. 
This scheme will help in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, implement IT enabled accounting or auditing system to authentically check bills and improve in collection of efficiency.
Different Discoms will have to formulate Detailed Project Report (DPR) and this will recommended by Distribution Reforms Committee (DRC) at the State level.
DRC is the monitoring committee under the Chairmanship of Power Secretary, including representatives from Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Urban Renewable energy, Ministry of Urban development, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Planning Commission. 
DRC will monitor the implementation of this scheme and also approve the operational guidelines. 
After sanction of projects, contracts for execution of projects are to be awarded by States Discoms / Power Departments. The projects shall be completed within 24 months from date of award.
It will lead to better cities with efficient use of electricity distribution and avoid fraudulent by the creation of sub-station and Smart grid system for transmission.
Under this scheme, Power supply will be done under-ground and, hence eliminating the need power poles in the areas. It will also avoid the accident caused by overhead and tangled power lines near houses.

Agreement signed between UK-India:

PM Narendra Modi and PM David Cameroon met and emphasized on the better relationship  and safeguarding and promoting the prosperity of both the countries. The two Prime Ministers endorsed a "Vision Statement” setting out the fundamental principles on which the UK-India partnership is built, and outlining a road-map for deepening co-operation. They resolved to hold biennial PM-level summits to advance the partnership. 
The UK and India share interest in stability and prosperity across Asia and Indian Ocean. Hence, the two heads agree upon extending and deepening the bilateral consultation and cooperation in these area through the establishment of an annual senior official South Asia dialogue.
Both heads also emphasized on lasting and inclusive constitutional settlements in Nepal and promote political stability in the region. They also stressed on enhancing cooperation for counter-terrorism and reiterated their call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice.
Both agreed upon bringing stability and prosperity in Afghanistan necessary for the South-East Asia region.  
The two Prime Minsters noted the importance of preserving the wildlife and curb the illegal trade. They agreed upon combat the illegal wildlife trade and protect the captive and wild Asian Elephants. India also endorsed the London Declaration and Kasane Statement on Illegal Wildlife Trade.
UK is the largest investor of G20 nations in India and committed to foster the economic development and more investment in India.  
The Two Prime Minsters agreed that City of London should also invest in infrastructure of India including in the railway sector laying the foundation of long-term economic partnership and help India in its rapid growth. they also welcomed the announcements by HDFC, Bharti Airtel, State Bank of India and Yes Bank to raise finance through the City of London which also opens up the opportunity for the Indian private sector to raise capital for their investment and growth. 
PM David Cameroon welcomed the initiative "Make in India" and whereas, PM Narendra Modi promised the commitment of making India investment friendly and Ease of doing Business. Both PM welcomed the initiatives taken in defense sector, technical cooperation in railways and industrial cooperation.  
Prime Ministers Cameron and Modi noted the deep and fruitful business relationship between the UK and India and welcomed the £9.2 Billion of commercial deals between the UK and India announced during the visit and listed in the annex. The UK has accounted for 8.56% of total foreign direct investment in India during the last 15 years. Indian companies employ 110,000 people in the UK.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed HSBC’s "Skills for life” initiative in India, a £10 million programme to skill 75,000 disadvantaged young people and children over 5 years.
Under Smart City projects, Both PM announced UK-India partnership in the development of cities- Indore, Pune, Amaravati with urban and technical expertise. The two PM also launched the Thames-Ganga partnership for healthy river system that will consists of collaborative research and innovative programs to manage the water resources of Ganga basin.   
Indian government eases the FDI limit in insurance sector to 49% which will help inflow of 238 million pounds FDI in India.
UK has also pledged to support Skill India. 11 UK companies are ready to provide basic training to the youth and start "Center of Excellence" in various sectors with starting a Automative and Advanced Engineering in Pune. 
The two PM agreed on partnership at school level which enable children to experience education system of each other. Both also marked the UK-India year 2016 as Education, Reasearch, and Innovation.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA), of the opening of a third round of collaborative industrial R&D, making up to £3.5 million available to support novel commercial solutions in the areas of clean-tech energy, affordable healthcare and ICT related to clean-tech energy and healthcare.
The two Leaders welcomed UK’s plans to send 100 academics to India over the next two academic years as part of the Global Initiative for Academics Network (GIAN); and the ambition for 25,000 UK students to come to India through the Generation UK-India programme by 2020, including 1000 UK interns with Tata Consultancy Services in India by 2020. The PMs also noted that UK would be partner country in Technology summit 2016 in Delhi.
The two Prime Ministers announced that a UK-India Year of Culture will be organised in 2017 to celebrate our deep cultural ties and the 70th anniversary of Indian Independence.
The two leaders affirmed their vision of a forward-looking partnership between the UK and India that would play an indispensable role in creating economic growth, jobs and security for the people of both countries. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together to build such an enhanced and transformative partnership for the betterment of their two countries and the world.

PM Statement at 13th India-ASEAN Summit 2015 in Malaysia

ASEAN- Association of South-East Asian Nations consists of 10 nations and 2 observers and secretariat at Jakarta, Indonesia. They are vital nations of South-East Asia to bolster economic relations between India and South-East Asia and India's "Look East" policy.

This is the 13th India-ASEAN summit held at Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia. PM Narendra Modi attended the summit and concluded his speech by stressing the highest priority to build strategic and economic partnership with South-East countries. 

PM Statement at Opening cermony:

PM started his speech by congratulating the PM Razak for his hospitality and warm welcome. PM said that they had met at the time of multiple gobal challenges and the India-ASEAN were the bright spot of optimism.

Image source:mea.gov.in

PM also outlined the key aspects of Trade, Connectivity, and Economic Developement partnership with ASEAN.

India-ASEAN population of 1.9 billion and trade of $76.5 billion in 2014-15 and has investment in both directions. India and ASEAN can grow trade and investments as both economies grow. 

PM also included in his statement "We can also draw confidence from the progress in our framework of cooperation. The entry into force of our Trade-in- Services and Investment Agreements in July 2015 is a major step forward"

PM stressed on the better Connectivity between ASEAN ans India. The Trilateral Highway should be completed in 2018 and also put forward a Line of Credit of $1 billion to improve physical and digital connectivity among ASEAN and India.

A Special emphasis will given to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) countires. The Project development fund will created to promote manufacturing hubs in CMLV countries.

Excellencies, science, technology and innovation constitute a vital pillar of our cooperation and support our economic partnership. We will enlarge the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund from the current one million U.S. dollars to 5 million U.S. dollars.

India offered ASEAN our indigenously developed GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation or GAGAN services, which provides advanced navigation and location assistance and information facilities. And, also offers collaborative initiatives in the field of Ocean or Blue economy, food security, medicines, and clean energy.

India proposed to open an ASEAN Studies Centre in our Northeastern Hill University in Shillong.

PM stated "We should evolve specific plans of cooperation in maritime security, counter-piracy and humanitarian and disaster relief." PM also stressed on better cooperation on outer space technology and Cyber security. India-ASEAN summit held in January 2015 on basis of Cyber Security should be used as springboard. 

India attaches the highest priority to this partnership and, in recognition of that, we have opened a permanent mission to ASEAN in Jakarta. 

First Step towards Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Housing for All by 2022

Chattisgarh has become the first state to get central government’s approval for taking up affordable housing projects in urban areas under Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY) launched in June this year. An inter-ministerial Central Sanctioning-cum-Monitoring Committee chaired by Dr.Nandita Chatterjee, Secretary(Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation) approved state government’s proposals for building 26,034 houses in 11 cities and towns in the state. Of these, 12,670 are for beneficiaries belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and 13,364 for Low Income Group (LIG).

The projects approved will be taken up in : Raipur, Naya Raipur, Bhilai industrial Estate, Rajnandagaon, Nardaha(Raipur), Jorapalli(Raigarh), Bilaspur(Chilhati), Shriramnagar (kanker), Machewa(Mahasamund), Balod(Sivni) and Sukma.

Houses for EWS have been sanctioned under the ‘Affordable Housing in Partnership’ component of PMAY. The Central Sanctioning Committee also approved central assistance of Rs.190 cr for these 12,670 EWS houses @ Rs.1.50 lakhs as per Mission Guidelines. LIG houses will be built under Credit Linked Subsidy component of Housing Mission for which Central Nodal Agencies –National Housing Bank and HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) have been authorized to provide interest subsidy @ 6.50% on loans up to Rs.6.00 lakhs for each eligible beneficiary for a loan tenure of 15 years.

The Committee also approved release of first installment of Rs.76 cr to Chattisgarh government. State Urban Development Agency is the nodal agency for housing mission while Chattisgarh Housing Board is the implementing agency.

Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) is meant only for beneficiaries belonging to EWS under which 35% of the houses proposed to be built shall be reserved for EWS with project size of minimum of 250 houses. Reservation for EWS in the AHP Projects approved for Chattisgarh in 11 cities ranged from 36% to 52%.

City-wise details of EWS houses to be built are : Raipur-3104, Naya Raipur-7720, Bhilai Industrial Estate-192, Rajnandgaon-272, Raipur(Nardaha)-192, Jorapalli-144, Chilhati-272, Shriramnagar-134, Machewa-336, Balod-140 and Sukma-164

How Monetization will work?-gold

There are different phases from which a depositor has to go through before opening a Gold Saving Account.
Stage-1: Customers who are willing to deposit their yellow metal, He/She has to go near Purity Test Center (PTC verified by the Bureau of Indian Standard(BIS)) has authority to test the purity of gold, where Preliminary XRF machine test (a Preliminary test to verify the quantity of gold).
Stage-2: If customer is satisfied with the test and gives his/her consent of melting the gold, a Fire Array Test will be conducted by the PTC and net weight and purity of the gold is calculated.
Stage-3: After, this PTC will give a certificate certifying the amount and purity of gold. If customer wants to take a melted gold bar, he is authorized to do so.
Stage-4: Now, the depositor has to produce the certificate at the bank so that its Gold Savings Account can be opened for the depositor and then, bank credits the quantity of gold into the depositor’s account.
After the maturity is over, the customer has right to get bullion or cash of his/her choice.