GUJARAT
Gujarat reports 4th-highest GST frauds in India
With rising number of fake billing scams and those involving illicit claiming of input tax
credit (ITC), Gujarat reported fourth highest number of Goods and Services Tax-related
frauds. According to data tabled in the Parliament by the Union ministry of finance, the
state reported 2,848 cases of GST-related frauds from 2017-18 to 2020-21 (till January 2021)
of a total of 27,000 cases reported across the country. Gujarat is behind Delhi (3,295), Tamil
Nadu (3,220) and Maharashtra (3,195) in terms of the number of GST frauds reported.
A nationwide special drive against unscrupulous entities for availing and passing on ITC
fraudulently because of fake/bogus invoices is being carried out. From November 9, 2020 to
January 31, 2021, GST fraud worth Rs 20,124 crore was detected across the country, of
which, Rs 857.75 crore was recovered with 282 persons arrested from across India. Specific
information pertaining to Gujarat is not available with either state GST department or DGGI
about this drive.
In Gujarat, the SGST department has unearthed fake billing scams worth Rs 18,000 crore
involving a tax evasion of close to Rs 2,500 crore.
INTERNATIONAL
Russia Launched First Arctic-monitoring Satellite
The Russian Space agency, Roscosmos, has successfully launched its first ever Arctic-
monitoring satellite that will monitor the Arctic’s climate and environment.
The space agency blasted off the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket which is also carrying the Arktika-
M satellite on board.
The rocket was blasted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on February 28, 2021.
The Arktika-M spacecraft was launched to orbit later.
The development of this satellite system in the highly elliptical orbits is required to collect
the information in order to solve the operational meteorology problems as well as the
hydrology problems.
The satellite will also monitor the climate and environment of the Arctic region.
Arktika-M satellite will also transmit the overview images of Earth’s northern polar region
and the adjoining areas every 15-30 minutes.
Right to Repair – European Union
Companies that sell refrigerators, washing machines, hair dryers or TVs in the European
Union (EU) will need to ensure that the repair period for these devices is up to 10 years.
About:
The Right to Repair electronic products refers to government legislation designed to enable
consumers to repair and modify their own consumer electronic devices. Otherwise,
manufacturers of such devices require consumers to use only the services they provide.
The concept of Right to Repair originated in the United States, when the United States’
Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2012 required manufacturers to provide
necessary documents and information, allow anyone to repair their vehicles.
NATIONAL
Chabahar Day Commemorated on March 4 by India
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) – India will commemorate the "Chabahar Day" on
March 4, 2021, before the 2021 Indian Maritime Summit to be held in Delhi from March 2 to
March 4. Highlights:
The virtual event will witness the participation of ministers from various countries which
includes Afghanistan, Iran, Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
During the event; Minister of Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar will deliver a speech at the
opening ceremony at the ministerial level, while Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State of
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will deliver a keynote speech.
Ministry of Sports restores recognition of Gymnastics Federation of India
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has decided to restore recognition of the
Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) as a National Sports Federation (NSF).
The Sports Ministry in a letter to the GFI president stated that the elections of two office
bearers -Sudhir Mittal as President and Kaushik Bidiwala as Treasurer for the term 2019-
2023 have been taken on record of the Ministry.
E-Commerce Portal for KVIC
Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Road Transport and Highway
Union, expressed his appreciation for Khadi’s successful e-commerce business, saying that it
provides a wide range of marketing platforms for a variety of Khadi and rural industrial
products. Highlights:
The Khadi and Village Industry Council (KVIC) is a statutory body established under the
Parliamentary Act "The Khadi and Village Industry Council Act of 1956".
It is under the management control of the Mini, Small and Medium-Sized Ministry (MSME).
KVIC promotes, organizes and implements plans for the development of Khadi and other
rural industries in rural areas across the country.
Conference by National Bamboo Mission
The National Bamboo Mission organized a National Conference on the Opportunities and
Challenges of Indian Bamboo. About National Bamboo Mission:
The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was implemented as a sub-scheme under the Mission
for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
The National Bamboo Mission is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, which started in 2006-07,
and then came under the jurisdiction of MIDH, applicable to 2014-15 and 2015-16.
Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission:
Increase yield through improvements and new varieties.
In potential areas, increase the area covered by bamboo.
Promotion and marketing of bamboo and bamboo handicrafts.
Establish coordination and cooperation among stakeholders to promote the development
of the bamboo sector.
Promote, develop and disseminate technology through the perfect integration of modern
scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom.
Create job opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, especially unemployed youth.
E-Daakhil Portal in 15 States/UTs
E-Daakhil's consumer grievance redressal portal has been put into use in 15 States/UTs.
About E-Daakhil Portal:
It is a portal for e-submission of consumer complaints with the National Consumer Dispute
Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and other consumer commissions.
NCDRC launched the plan in September 2020, and Delhi is the first state to implement the
plan.
The fee for submitting a complaint can also be paid online through the e-Daakhil portal.
The e-Daakhil portal gives consumers and their supporters the right to file consumer
complaints online from anywhere, and pay the necessary fees online to redressal their
complaints.
It also helps the Consumer Commission to check the complaint online to accept, reject or
forward the complaint to the relevant commission for further processing.
