Home » Current Affairs HPAS » HP Current Affairs

HP Current Affairs

29th, June, 2022

Topic: Award

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

What is the news?

Postman who covers 32 km daily in Lahaul gets Meghdoot Award.

About prestigious Meghdoot Award of the Department of Posts:

Instituted in 1984, the award is the highest recognition of the Department of Posts at the national level for overall performance and excellence of its employees.
This award is conferred in eight separate categories and carries a medallion, certificate and a cash award of Rs 21,000.

(Source: The Tribune)

Topic: 47th meeting of the GST Council

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

What is the news?

In the 47th meeting of the GST Council held in Chandigarh on Wednesday, the Central government has reduced the GST on ropeway fares.

How much reduced?

From 18 per cent to 5 per cent.
As soon as this system comes into force from July 18, the tickets for the ropeway in the state will become cheaper.

Another decision:

At the same time, hotel rooms priced up to Rs 1,000 will also attract 12 per cent GST. With this, you will now get a room of Rs 1000 for Rs 1120.

How it will help?

With the tickets for the ropeways being cheaper, tourism in the state will take wings. Ropeway facility is being provided in five districts of Shimla, Solan, Kullu, Kangra and Bilaspur districts of the state.

About GST COUNCIL:

As per Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution, the GST Council has to be constituted by the President within 60 days of the commencement of Article 279A. The notification for bringing into force Article 279A with effect from 12th September, 2016 was issued on 10th September, 2016.
The President shall, within sixty days from the date of commencement of the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016, by order, constitute a Council to be called the Goods and Services Tax Council.

As per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council, which will be a joint forum of the Centre and the States, shall consist of the following members: –

a) Union Finance Minister – Chairperson

b) The Union Minister of State, in-charge of the Revenue of finance – Member

c) The Minister In-charge of finance or taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State Government – Members

As per Article 279A (4), the Council will make recommendations to the Union and the States on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws, principles that govern Place of Supply, threshold limits, GST rates including the floor rates with bands, special rates for raising additional resources during natural calamities/disasters, special provisions for certain States, etc.

The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved setting up of the GST Council on 12th September, 2016 and also setting up its Secretariat as per the following details:

(a) Creation of the GST Council as per Article 279A of the amended Constitution.
b) Creation of the GST Council Secretariat, with its office at New Delhi.
(c) Appointment of the Secretary (Revenue) as the Ex-officio Secretary to the GST Council.
(d) Inclusion of the Chairperson, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), as a permanent invitee (non-voting) to all proceedings of the GST Council.
(e) Create one post of Additional Secretary to the GST Council in the GST Council Secretariat (at the level of Additional Secretary to the Government of India), and four posts of Commissioner in the GST Council Secretariat (at the level of Joint Secretary to the Government of India). The Cabinet also decided to provide for adequate funds for meeting the recurring and non-recurring expenses of the GST Council Secretariat, the entire cost for which shall be borne by the Central Government. The GST Council Secretariat shall be manned by officers taken on deputation from both the Central and State Governments.