Transparent Taxation – Honoring The Honest

IN NEWS

• Prime Minister will launch the platform for “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest” on 13th August 2020.

ABOUT

• The focus of the tax reforms has been on reduction in tax rates and on simplification of direct tax laws. Several initiatives have been taken by the CBDT for bringing in efficiency and transparency in the functioning of the IT Department.
• This includes bringing more transparency in official communication through the newly introduced Document Identification Number (DIN).
• Last year the Corporate Tax rates were reduced from 30 percent to 22 percent and for new manufacturing units the rates were reduced to 15 percent. Dividend distribution tax was also abolished.
• Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, distributes legislative powers including taxation, between the Parliament of India and the State Legislature. Schedule VII enumerates these subject matters with the use of three lists.

PURPOSE

• Easing compliance and expediting refunds, benefiting honest taxpayers.
• The launch of the platform will further carry forward the journey of direct tax reforms, following the several measures that have been taken by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to aid taxpayers.

INITIATIVES

• With a view to provide for resolution of pending tax disputes the IT Department also brought out the Direct Tax “Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020” under which declarations for settling disputes are being filed currently.
• To effectively reduce taxpayer grievances / litigation, the monetary thresholds for filing of departmental appeals in various appellate Courts have been raised. Several measures have been taken to promote digital transactions and electronic modes of payment.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF C.B.D.T.

• The Central Board of Revenue as the apex body of the Department, charged with the administration of taxes, came into existence as a result of the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1924
• Initially the Board was in charge of both direct and indirect taxes. However, when the administration of taxes became too unwieldy for one Board to handle, the Board was split up into two, namely the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Excise and Customs with effect from 1.1.1964.

FUNCTIONS AND ORGANIZATION

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963. The officials of the Board in their ex-officio capacity also function as a Division of the Ministry dealing with matters relating to levy and collection of direct taxes.

International Youth Day 2020

IN NEWS

• In 1999, the General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth that 12th August is declared International Youth Day.

ABOUT

• International Youth Day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.
• The theme of International Youth Day 2020, “Youth Engagement for Global Action” seeks to highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.
• As the United Nations turns 75, and with only 10 years remaining to make the 2030 Agenda a reality for all, trust in public institutions is eroding.
• This year’s IYD seeks to put the spotlight on youth engagement through the following three interconnected streams:

• Engagement at the local/community level;
• Engagement at the national level (formulation of laws, policies, and their implementation); and,
• Engagement at the global level.

CONCERN

• At the international level, against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized world, the international system of governance is currently undergoing a crisis of legitimacy and relevance.
• In particular, this crisis is rooted in the need to strengthen the capacity of the international system to act in concert and implement solutions to pressing challenges and threats

SUGGESTIONS

• Enabling the engagement of youth in formal political mechanisms does increase the fairness of political processes by reducing democratic deficits, contributes to better and more sustainable policies, and also has symbolic importance that can further contribute to restore trust in public institutions, especially among youth.
• Moreover, the vast majority of challenges humanity currently faces, such as the COVID-19 outbreak and climate change require concerted global action and the meaningful engagement and participation of young people to be addressed effectively.

Medical Education Regulator

Why in NEWS ?

• India's top medical education regulator has stated that any qualification obtained from medical colleges in Pakistan-occupied J&K and Ladakh shall not entitle a person to practice modern medicine India.

Background

• In a public notice issued on August 10, the board of governors (BoG) in supersession of the Medical Council of India (MCI) said the entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh is an integral part of India while Pakistan is in the illegal and forcible occupation of a part of the territory.
• Accordingly, any medical institution in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (PoJKL) requires permission and recognition under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, and such permission has not been granted to any medical college in PoJKL.
• Therefore, any qualification obtained from medical colleges located within these illegally occupied areas of India shall not entitle a person for grant of registration under Indian Medical Council Act 1956 to practice modern medicine in India.
• Notice released in a reply to J & K High Court order in December last year which had asked the government of India to consider recognising the medical degree of a Kashmiri woman who studied from a college in PoK after the Medical Council of India did not grant her registration.

National Medical Commission Act

• It has been billed by the government as the “biggest reform” in the medical profession and a “pro-poor legislation” that shall make quality medical care more accessible to the people.
• The Act seems to bring governance reforms in the medical field, addressing the needs of health services, standardizing quality to be maintained in medical education, etc

Medical Council of India (MCI)

• It is a statutory body for establishing uniform and high standards of medical education in India. It was first established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933.
• As per recommendation given by NITI Aayog, Government took measures to replace MCI with National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2019.

Jain Temples

Why in NEWS?

• The Bombay High Court on 11th August 2020, directed the Maharashtra government to consider representations by the Jain community seeking permission to enter Jain temples during the eight-day Paryushan festival.

Background

• Temples and other religious places are closed at present in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The petitions sought a direction to the state government to allow the members of the community to visit Jain temples to perform prayers, more particularly during the period of Paryushan from August 15 to 23

About the Paryushan festival

• Paryushana is the most important annual holy event for Jains.
• All Jains perform Atthai Tap – fasting for eight days at a time.
• During these days, Jain monks read out the Kalpasutra, the most sacred scripture of the Jains.

• The five main vows are emphasized during this time which are

1. Ahimsa-non-violence
2. Satya- truth
3. Asteya- non-stealing
4. Brahmacharya-chastity and
5. Aparigraha- non-possession

The main aim of Paryushan is to purify the soul and achieve self-uplift.

• Normally, Digambaras refer to it as Das Lakshana Dharma while Svetambaras refer to it as Paryushana (“abiding” or “coming together”)
• The duration of Paryushana is for 8-10 days.
• The festival ends with the celebration of Kshamavani (forgiveness day). Forgiveness is asked by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to each other.
• ‘Micchami’ means to be fruitless (forgiven) and ‘Dukkadam’ means bad deeds.