Six months’ relaxation or extension to all categories of Tour Operators, Travel Agents and Tourist Transport Operators
February 23, 2021 at 3:58:23 AM
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The Ministry of Tourism classifies hotels under the star rating system to conform to the expected standards for different classes of tourists.
Under this system, hotels are given a rating, from One Star to Three Star, Four and Five Star with or without alcohol, Five Star Deluxe, Heritage (Basic), Heritage (Classic), Heritage (Grand), Legacy Vintage (Basic), Legacy Vintage (Classic), Legacy Vintage (Grand) and Apartment Hotels, Homestays, Guest house etc. The classification/ certification is valid for a period of five years.
Considering the current situation when the hospitality industry is going through a very difficult time in the wake of COVID 19 Pandemic and lockdown that has severely impacted the accommodation sector, it has been decided that validity of approval or certifications of hotels and other accommodation units whose project approvals/reapprovals and classification/reclassification have expired/are likely to expire during the period (24.03.2020 to 29.6.2020) are deemed to be extended till 30.06.2020.
Similarly, the Ministry has a scheme of approving Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Adventure Tour Operators, Domestic Tour Operators and Tourist Transport Operators etc. the idea being to encourage quality, standard and service in these categories so as to promote Tourism in India.
Due to postponement of inspection work and application scrutiny during the lockdown period from March 2020 onward in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism has decided to allow six months’ relaxation or extension to all categories of Tour Operators (Inbound, Domestic, Adventure) Travel Agents and Tourist Transport Operators for their approval with the Ministry of Tourism subject to the following conditions: (i) The previous approval expired or the current approval expires during the period of 20th March 2020 (i.e. the date of issuance of an order by the Ministry for discontinuation of inspection work by India Tourism offices) till continuation of lockdown, and
(ii) They applied for renewal before expiry of their current/previous approval.
A search and seizure operation conducted by the Income Tax Department in Kolkata
March 11, 2021 at 7:31:22 AM
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Kolkata: The Income Tax Department carried out a search and seizure operation on 10.03.2021 on two separate persons based in Kolkata, who are engaged in the handling of cash of others on a commission basis.
Income Tax Department, India, Kolkata
India cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi as a single non-lapsable reserve fund
March 10, 2021 at 9:22:05 AM
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Delhi: Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN) as a single non-lapsable reserve fund for share of Health from the proceeds of Health and Education Cess levied under Section 136-b of Finance Act, 2007.
India, Finance, India Cabinet
Gurugram DGGI officials arrest 2 men for defrauding exchequer of over Rs 690 crore
March 10, 2021 at 7:08:55 AM
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Delhi: The ongoing investigation of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Gurugram Zonal Unit, were able to arrest two gang members of a fake invoicing syndicate, namely Vikas and Manish, who were involved in GST fraud by way of issuance of fake GST invoices in excess of Rs 4,800 crore which defrauded the exchequer of more than Rs 690 crore.
India, Income Tax Department
The Government takes steps to deal with Casteism and Communalism in the country
March 10, 2021 at 6:50:50 AM
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Delhi: The Central Government provides assistance to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations towards incentive for inter-caste marriages, where one of the spouses is a member of a Scheduled Caste.
India
MCA strikes off 10,113 companies from April to Feb in 2020-2021
March 8, 2021 at 1:49:31 PM
Rep. image, Office
Delhi: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) administers the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act), Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. There is no provision for weeding out the Companies in the Act.
India
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal flags off Tanakpur-Delhi Jan Shatabdi Express special train
February 26, 2021 at 11:22:48 AM
Rep. image, Train
Delhi: Minister Piyush Goyal said that the introduction of a new modern, safe, LHB coach Purnagiri Janshatabdi train, will boost tourism and connectivity in the region. The Minister also informed that electrification of Pilibhit- Delhi route was already complete, Tanakpur- Pilibhit route is also complete, only CRS inspection is awaited, soon the entire route (Tanakpur- Delhi) will be fully electrified.
INDIA RAILWAYS, Piyush Goyal
MHA extends guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution states/ UT to strictly enforce SOPs
February 26, 2021 at 11:05:15 AM
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Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order today to extend the existing Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution to remain in force upto 31.03.2021.
Minister of Home Affairs (MHA), India
MoU sign by MCA & CBIC for exchange of data for enhancing the ease of doing business in India
February 25, 2021 at 6:07:10 PM
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Delhi: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for data exchange between the two organisations. The MoU was signed by Manoj Pandey, Joint Secretary, MCA, and B. B. Gupta, ADG, CBIC, in the presence of Rajesh Verma, Secretary, MCA and M. Ajit Kumar, Chairman, CBIC.
MoU, India, MCA, CBIC
India and Pakistan's joint statement on the situation along the Line of Control (LAC)
February 25, 2021 at 2:03:51 PM
Delhi: The Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact. The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere.
Line Of Control, LAC, India, Pakistan, Indian Armed Forces
Govt notifies IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021
February 25, 2021 at 1:44:00 PM
Delhi: Amidst growing concerns around lack of transparency, accountability and rights of users related to digital media and after elaborate consultation with the public and stakeholders, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has been framed in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the earlier Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011.
Digital Media, India