Petrol, diesel can be brought under GST : FM

JAIPUR, FEB 20 (IANS):

Union Finance Minister

Nirmala Sitharaman Monday said that petrol and diesel can be brought under the GST ambit if the GST council takes a call.

She was in Jaipur to attend the post-budget press conference where she answered at length on questions related to petrol-diesel prices, inflation, rising repo rates, among other issues.

Answering a query on bringing petrol and diesel under the GST purview, she said, “Petrol and diesel can be taken under the GST if the GST council, which is not governed by any one government but finance ministers of all states, takes the call. “The Centre government has made its intent clear by saying that we will put it as an item under

CEM ready to facilitate debate between BJP & Cong on Feb 23

(From p-1)

Meanwhile, Naleo said CEM appreciated Congress’s position that any debate on the manifesto would be “pointless, meaningless and a waste of time” unless there was a clarification by BJP on the three issues – i) its 2018 slogan “Election for Solution”; ii) whether it was ready to give a categorical assurance to the people of Nagaland that BJP government would not disturb Article 371(A) of the Indian constitution in letter and spirit; iii) and whether it would dissociate from and condemn the statement made by one of RSS front organisations and Assam-based Janajati Dharma-Sanskriti Suraksha Manch (JDSSM) demanding removal of ST status from people who had embraced Christianity.

GST. Now the GST council should take a call and let there be an ‘open charcha’.”

On the Congress’ allegations of vindictive approach, the finance minister said, “Investigative agencies like ED, CBI and others do a huge big homework for quite some time and when they have necessary prime facie material in their hands, after having sent a number of questionnaires and getting partial complete, or no re-

Domestic aviation traffic continues growth

NEW DELHI,

Feb 20

GDP to grow 7% in FY23: Acuite Ratings

Prohibitory orders clamped in Thonoknyu

(From p-1) ply, they go. It can’t be done overnight by any instinct.”

“It’s strange that a party’s past presidents, on money matters or corruption are all out on bail and that is through courts. And they speak of vindictive politics. “Each agency going there has been bringing tangible material... some of which has been pictured by the media. Instead of accusing people of vindictiveness, they should explain to people and its own plenary as to why their people are out on bail by the court.” She said, “The Congress party should not speak at all on corruption, and then bring in the matter of vindictiveness. It is a shame, one after the other, every Congress government has come and gone out of power on the issues related to corruption,” she said.

(IANS): Domestic aviation traffic has continued to witness a massive growth as passengers carried by domestic airlines during January 2023 were 1.25 crore as against 64.08 lakhs during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering an annual growth of 95.72 per cent and monthly growth of 95.72 per cent.

According to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday, the passenger load factor or occupancy of the airlines remained on the higher side in the range of 80 to 90 per cent.

The newly-launched Akasa Air marked an 82.8 per cent occupancy during January.

SpiceJet recorded the highest occupancy of 91 per cent, while Indigo wit- nessed 82 per cent. Air India and Go First followed with 87.5 per cent and 90.9 per cent of occupancy, respectively.

Industry sources said that the data reflects the restoration of normalcy in the aviation sector. The government has gradually done away with various restrictions in the last few months.

The country’s major airports have witnessed a higher number of air passengers in the last couple of months.

Domestic air traffic has already crossed the mark of 4 lakh passengers per day and during weekends it generally reaches more than 4 lakh.

Many airports during December 2022 had witnessed massive rush due to increased air passenger traffic

NDPP-BJP will solve all Naga problems: HM

(From p-1) Eastern region and pointed out that the BJP government had resolved several issues faced by the North Eastern states like the Bru, Reang issue, decades old Bodo issue, Karbi Anglong agreement etc.

Shah, therefore, assured that he along with Prime Minister Modi have been pursuing to resolve the Naga issue at the earliest.

He maintained that under the Modi-led government, the North Eastern region has witnessed a reduction in insurgency related issues by over 70%.

So also, he said the Centre had removed AFSPA from 15 police stations areas in seven districts of Nagaland.

Further taking a swipe at the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, “After 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress won’t be visible even through a telescope.”

Shah alleged that the tendency of the Congress leaders to indulge in mudslinging against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased since Rahul Gandhi became its leader. Shah strongly condemned a Congress spokesperson’s choice of words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said the standard of opposition party’s members is falling by the day since Rahul Gandhi became its leader.

“The kind of language the Congress spokesperson has used (for PM) and the sort of reaction it has drawn from people from across the country... you will see Rahul Gandhi that the Congress will not be visible even through telescope after the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. People will respond through the ballot box,” Shah said.

Addressing the gathering, chief minister Neiphiu Rio thanked union home minister Amit Shah for his taking his time to address the joint election campaign rally of the NDPP-BJP in Mon Town.

He also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for their keen interest in resolving the decades old Naga political issue. Rio hoped that with Modi and Shah in power at the Centre, the Naga issue would be resolved.

He also noted that it was through Amit Shah’s initiative that the issue of ENPO’s demand for separate statehood was taken up and accordingly ENPO had agreed to revoke their decision to abstain from taking part in the ensuing election.

Rio hoped that the issued would be resolved after the assembly election.

“The State government will give full cooperation for the development of ENPO areas. And whatever government of India decides, we will be a partner and see that they catch up with the rest of the State and the country,” Rio assured.

Rio expressed gratitude to the Central lead - ership for respecting the Nagas to be a major partner by deciding to let NDPP contest in 40 seats and BJP-20.

Though the UDA government had done a lot during the past five years in power, Rio said there were still more to do and was hopeful that in the next term they would achieve the goals and take the people forward.

Rio was confident that the alliance would win at least 45-50 seats.

Host of BJP leaders including party’s North East in-charge Rituraj Sinha, national spokesperson (i/c Nagaland) Nalin Kohli, Rajya Sabha MP S. Phangnon Konyak, who also translated Shah’s speech in Hindi to Nagamese.

Earlier, Shah was accorded a warm welcomed by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, Konyak Union, Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khung, Konyak Students’ Union and the citizens of Mon.

NEW DELHI, 20 (AGENCIES): Acuite Ratings and Research on Monday maintained India’s FY23 gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimate at 7 per cent.

According to ET online, the credit rating agency, however, projected the country’s economic growth trajectory in FY24 to slow down to 6 per cent. India would still be one of the highest growth economies in the world, it said.

As per Acuite Ratings, the Indian economy has managed to withstand the headwinds rather well over past several months despite tough global environment.

“Domestic growth impulses have gained strength, as urban consumption continues to push demand for both goods and services with derivative support accruing from the government capex cycle which has got a further boost from the Union Budget 2023,” Acuite Ratings said. Private investments remain somewhat confined, unsurprisingly in an environment of heightened global uncertainty although the higher credit growth reflects the start of a trickle, it said.

Rupee gains 10 paise to close at 82.72 against USD

NEW DELHI, FEB 20 (PTI): The rupee appreciated by 10 paise to close at 82.72 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, as the American currency retreated from its elevated levels.

Forex traders said a muted trend in domestic equities and foreign fund outflows weighed on investor sentiments and restricted the appreciation bias.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 82.69 against the American currency and finally settled at 82.72 (provisional) against the greenback, registering a gain of 10 paise over its previous close of 82.82.

During the trading session, the rupee touched a high of 82.62 and a low of 82.74 against the dollar.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.04 per cent to 103.90 .

Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures advanced 1.05 per cent to USD 83.87 per barrel. “Rupee traded strong near 82.75 as dollar index traded below USD 104 guiding rupee strength.

Further, the order stated no political party would be permitted to hold rallies or meetings in the said location during the enforcement of the prohibitory order.

However, the police, security forces, magistrates on duty, fire and emergency services, educational/financial institutions, and departments/ agencies assisting the district administration would be exempted from the restrictions.

KTC condemns poll violence

Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) has strongly condemned the reported election-related violence that took place at Thonoknyu under Noklak district.

In a press release, KTC president M Thangou and general secretary NSM Pakhiu reminded all responsible that election should be fought within the parameters of democracy and in the interest and welfare of the people. KTC asserted that there was no room for violence in democracy. KTC also called upon the election authorities, district administration and police to take strict measures to ensure peaceful polling. KTC has assured to extend its full support in maintaining peaceful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, KTC has directed all the contesting parties to strictly adhere to the joint notification of KTC, KSU & KMH issued on February 7, 2023 for allowing free and fair election.

Prices of cereals to be about 15% higher: CRISIL

CHENNAI, FEB 20

(IANS): The prices of cereals are expected to be 14-15 per cent higher next fiscal as compared with the past five year average, said (CRISIL) Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited. in a report. The reason? Vagaries of climate change, strong global demand, and rise in domestic demand.

Even in the current fiscal, cereal prices have risen significantly on-year in the first ten months. While prices of wheat and paddy rose 8-11 per cent, those of maize, jowar and bajra jumped 27-31 per cent, the report notes.

CRISIL expects wheat production to be higher in the current rabi season. Despite the continued ban on exports and discontinuation of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana from January 2023 (free foodgrain scheme announced in April 2020) which are expected to bring the stock position up to a comfortable level compared with the previous year. The above measures will put a downward pressure on wheat prices for fiscal 2024, the report said.

According to CRISIL, for key kharif crops such as paddy, maize, bajra and jowar, production for next fiscal is anticipated to be higher, too, provided monsoons are normal and well-spread.

However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a about 49 per cent chance of El Nino impact on south-west monsoon between June-July 2023 and 57 per cent between July-September, the report notes.

“This remains a key monitorable, as it might impact rainfall for kharif and lead to drought conditions, as happened during the previous strong El Nino year (2015) when the southwest monsoon was 14 per cent below normal and kharif cereal production declined 2-3 per cent onyear,” CRISIL said.

Snippets

15 killed, 60 injured as bus veers off road in Pakistan

LAHORE, FEB 20 (PTI):

A speeding bus carrying a wedding party veered off the road before falling in a ravine in Pakistan’s Punjab province, killing at least 15 people and wounding 60 others, authorities said on Monday. The bus, travelling from Islamabad to Lahore, overturned late on Sunday in the Kallar Kahar Salt Range region, some 240 km from Lahore. The bus was carrying people returning from a wedding ceremony. Rescue 1122 emergency service attributed brake failure as the apparent reason for the accident.