7th August 2019
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1)Topic:- Polity(Government Policy) of Punjab (Mains and Prelims important).
News:- Punjab government imposes fuel cess.
Context:-
- The Government passéd the PUNJAB URBAN TRANSPORT FUND BILL,2019 under which a cess of 10 paise per litre on petrol and diesel per year in urban areas by the Local bodies department.
- Another 10% would be levied on the auction of VIP number.
- Also, the people who are retaining old VIP numbers will have to pay a fee ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 25,000.
Objective:-
- Its objective is to fund the state governments urban transport sector and its missions.
- It would be used to fund the local governments “city bus project” in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Jalandhar and Patiala.
How funds will be utilised?
- A panel, ‘Punjab Urban Transport Fund Management Committee’, would be constituted to utilise the funds with the Chief Minister its chairperson and the Local Government Minister vice-chairperson. The funds would be utilised to accelerate urban transport development and tackle problems such as growing traffic and parking congestion and road mishaps.
2) Topic:- Polity(Government Policy) of Punjab (Mains and Prelims)
News:- EAST PUNJAB MINISTERS SALARIES (AMENDMENT) BILL-2019 was passed to give effect to the provision of making the ministers and leader of opposition’s perks non-taxable.
Context:- This Bill which protects the state ministers from the obligations of paying tax on perks passed.
What changes made by government?
- As per the amendments, Section 2-C has been inserted since the intent of the amendment was that income tax on ‘Salaries and Allowances’ shall be paid by the Ministers and not on other perks and benefits allowed to them. The section stated, “The free furnished house and other perquisites admissible to a Minister under this Act shall be exclusive of income tax, which shall be payable by the Government.”
The reason was given by Cabinet minister:-
- Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi clarified that the Minister had already given up their income tax on their salaries and allowances, which has been done by any state for the first time. “It is only that the tax on the perks will now be paid by the government and not the Ministers. The CM salary is Rs 13 lakh, but the income tax on perks is Rs 17 lakh…it is because if this we are carrying out this amendment,”.
3) Topic:- Polity(Government Policy) of Punjab (Mains and Prelims important)
News:-Transparency in Public Procurement bill has been passed.
Objective:-
- The bill aims to remove corrupt practices in the public procurement system.
- The bill also seeks to boost efficiency, economy and transparency in the public procurement process.
“State Public Procurement Portal” also made mandatory.
Which country model adopted?
- “SWISS CHALLENGE” method was chosen as a way of procurement to impose the competitive environment and to promote innovation, creativity and uniqueness.
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QUIZ:-
Question 1:- Choose correct about PUNJAB URBAN TRANSPORT FUND BILL,2019:-
- 20% would be levied on the auction of VIP number.
- A cess of 10 paise per litre on petrol and diesel per year in urban areas by Punjab Transport.
- Only 1
- Only 2
- Both
- None
Question 2:- Who will be the chairperson of a panel, ‘Punjab Urban Transport Fund Management Committee’, would be constituted to utilise the funds as per PUNJAB URBAN TRANSPORT FUND BILL,2019?
- Local Bodies Minister
- Transport Minister
- Chief Minister
- Finance Minister
Question 3:- EAST PUNJAB MINISTERS SALARIES (AMENDMENT) BILL-2019 inserted which section?
- Section 2A
- Section 2C
- Section 3C
- Section 1A
Question 4:- Which country’s method will be used in Transparency in Public Procurement Bill of Punjab?
- UK
- SWISS
- GERMANY
- AFRICA
ANSWERS:-
- Q1:- 4
- Q2:- 3
- Q3:- 2
- Q4:- 2