National
As petrol, diesel prices rise, CEA calls to bring them under GST
New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Amid spiralling petrol and diesel prices, Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian on Monday called for petroleum products to be brought under the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
He also made a case for one rate under the GST for all goods and services down the line.
“Petroleum products, electricity and real estate should be brought under the GST for reasons limited to the GST. But if rising fuel prices become another reason for them (petroleum products) to be brought under it, then that’s good,” Subramanian told reporters.
Petrol and diesel prices rose last week to a three-year high across metro cities. Petrol prices in the national capital were at Rs 72.49 per litre — the highest in over three years. Petrol prices in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai were at Rs 75.19, Rs 80.39 and Rs 75.18 per litre respectively — all three-year highs. Similarly, diesel prices have also been hitting record levels.
During a press conference after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tabled India’s Economic Survey for 2017-18 in parliament, the Chief Economic Advisor also made a case for one GST rate for all goods and services.
“Over some horizon – say three to five years – we can think, in principle, of having one rate because we see that benefits of that are so compelling.
“But in the short run also, there is a case for greater simplification and greater rationalisation. At the moment we have five, six or seven rates. I think there is a scope for much greater rationalisation,” Subramanian said.
“Let’s not make the best the enemy of the good. I think we can get from a very complex to a less complex one,” he said.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.