‘Defining partnership’ of India-US: Verma

Washington (PTI): The relationship between India and the US is the “defining partnership” for the 21st century, America’s former Ambassador to the country Richard Verma has told lawmakers and urged the Senate to confirm the next envoy to New Delhi at the earliest.

A strong advocate of deepening Indo-US ties, Verma played a key role in the Congressional passage of the civil nu- clear deal. He was sworn in as the US Ambassador to India in

2014, becoming the first ever Indian-American to hold the post. He served as the US Ambassador to India from 2014 to 2017.

Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple also known as the Hare

Krishna Temple in Melbourne’s Albert Park found the walls of the revered temple vandalised with graffiti “Hindustan Murdabad”.

On January 16, the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Victoria, was vandalised in a similar manner.

On January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced by ‘anti-social elements’ with anti-India graffiti.

A prominent Hindu temple in Australia this week received threatening calls in which it was asked to raise pro-Khalistani slogans if it wanted to observe Maha Shivratri peacefully which falls on February 18.

India has already asked the Australian government to curb the anti-India activities of the Khalistani separatists and also attacks on the Hindu temples in the country.

Tax evasion under GST Council’s scanner: Sitha

New Delhi (PTI): GST Council, the apex decision-making authority, on Saturday reduced the tax rate on several items, including liquid jagger and pencil sharpeners, besides rationalising late fee for the delayed filing of annual returns. Briefing media after the 49th meeting of the GST Council, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also informed that reports of the GoM (Group of Ministers) on checking tax evasion by pan masala and gutkha industry,

Soros is a crazy nut, says industry doyen KP Singh

New Delhi: A “crazy nut” and an aged “barking dog” is how real estate doyen KP Singh described billionaire financier George Soros, who caused an outrage in India after saying the Adani-Hindenburg turmoil would lead to weakening of PM Narendra Modi’s grip on power. Singh, who helmed DLF Ltd and is known for plain-speaking, said in an interview with PTI that India has got the best democratically elected PM, who has been elected with thumping majority not once but twice.

and on Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunals (GSTATs), have been taken on board. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council comprises finance ministers of states and UTs.

She also announced that the central government has decided to clear the entire pending balance GST compensation of Rs 16,982 crore for June 2022. The Centre has decided to release the amount from its own resources and the same will be recouped from the future compensation cess collection, she said. With this release, the Centre would clear the entire provisionally admissible compensation dues for five years as envisaged in the GST (Compensation to States) Act 2017, an official release said. The Centre will also clear the admissible final GST Compensation to those states who have provided revenue figures certified by the Accountant General which amounts to Rs 16,524 crore, she said.

“Judges ignore scams involving BJP leaders”

Kolkata: TMC leader Kunal Ghosh on Saturday claimed the judges often wear sunglasses when names of BJP leaders surface in scams.

Ghosh, the TMC spokesperson, made the remarks after property documents belonging to BJP vice-president Dilip Ghosh were recovered from the residence of one Prasanna Roy who was arrested by the CBI in connection with the teachers’ recruitment scam in West Bengal.

He said: “In that case, why should Dilip Ghosh not also be taken into custody and the matter is investigated? Why is the court silent now?

Why are the judges not directing the investigating agencies to nab offenders in such cases?

Why are they not directing Dilip Ghosh’s arrest?

Why would he move freely even after the documents of his flat were recovered from the residence of Prasanna Roy?”

“I continue to believe this is the defining partnership for this century. The relationship is so consequential in so many ways, and having a senior official on the ground that represents the president makes a big difference,” Verma told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing for Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.

Har Har Mahadev

On Mahashivratri festival, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, and his son, Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio, visited Somnath Mahadev. They were welcomed by PK Lahiri, Chairman