1. Govt introduces Bill in Lok Sabha to amend SEBI laws
i. Government on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to replace the ordinance which
sought to provide more powers to capital market regulator SEBI.
ii. The Securities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2013, was introduced by Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena.s
iii. The Bill is to amend the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and the Depositories Act, 1996.
iv. With the amendments, SEBI would have more powers to crack down on ponzi schemes, seek phone call records to check insider trading and carry out search and seizure operations.
NOTE: i. As per the amended law, SEBI can regulate any money pooling scheme worth Rs 100 crore or more and attach assets in cases of non-compliance, it said, adding the SEBI Chairman would have the authority to order "search and seizure operations".
ii. The market watchdog would also have powers to seek information, such as telephone call data records, from any person or entity in respect to any securities transaction being investigated by it.
iii. The amendments would clear the air over regulatory gaps and overlaps with regard to types of instruments used in raising funds.
2. Govt launches nation’s first comprehensive adolescent health programme
i. The Government today launched nation’s first comprehensive adolescent health programme, which will include a sharp focus on adolescents' sexual health.
ii. The programme envisions that all adolescents in India are able to realize their full potential by making informed and responsible decisions related to their health and well-being.
iii. He highlighted various programmes and initiatives by the Government which have brought about a transformational change in the health of the country.
iv. The Minister also informed that India will be declared a polio free country by the World Health Organization on January 13 which is a milestone for the Country.
v. Speaking at the launch of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram(National Adolescent Health Programme) in New Delhi, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Government stands committed towards promoting adolescent health mission in the country and would address the health needs of 243 million adolescents who constitute 21 per cent of the total population in India.
3. India and Fiji sign double taxation avoidance agreement
i. India and Fiji have signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, DTAA for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
ii. The Agreement was signed in Delhi yesterday by the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Fiji's Minister of Justice, Public Enterprises, and Industry and Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
iii. Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister Mr Chidambaram said that the Agreement will provide tax stability to the residents of India and Fiji and facilitate mutual economic cooperation. The move will also stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services between both countries.
4. PC Parakh authored book Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths released
i. Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths: authored by PC Parekh
ii. A memoir entitled "Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths" authored by former Coal Secretary PC Parakh was released on 14 April 2014 in New Delhi. In the book the author has claimed that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was running a government in which he had little political authority.
iii. The writer has said that the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh was unable to prevent his junior ministers from blocking a move towards a transparent system during the bidding for the coal blocks.
iv. He also said that the coal scam would have been avoided if the Prime Minister pushed for certain reforms like e-marketing and open auction of coal blocks.
v. PC Parekh claimed that he drew inspiration for writing a book from Premchand’s literary work Namak Ka Daroga. The book has been published by Manas Publication.
i. Government on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to replace the ordinance which
sought to provide more powers to capital market regulator SEBI.
ii. The Securities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2013, was introduced by Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena.s
iii. The Bill is to amend the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and the Depositories Act, 1996.
iv. With the amendments, SEBI would have more powers to crack down on ponzi schemes, seek phone call records to check insider trading and carry out search and seizure operations.
NOTE: i. As per the amended law, SEBI can regulate any money pooling scheme worth Rs 100 crore or more and attach assets in cases of non-compliance, it said, adding the SEBI Chairman would have the authority to order "search and seizure operations".
ii. The market watchdog would also have powers to seek information, such as telephone call data records, from any person or entity in respect to any securities transaction being investigated by it.
iii. The amendments would clear the air over regulatory gaps and overlaps with regard to types of instruments used in raising funds.
2. Govt launches nation’s first comprehensive adolescent health programme
i. The Government today launched nation’s first comprehensive adolescent health programme, which will include a sharp focus on adolescents' sexual health.
ii. The programme envisions that all adolescents in India are able to realize their full potential by making informed and responsible decisions related to their health and well-being.
iii. He highlighted various programmes and initiatives by the Government which have brought about a transformational change in the health of the country.
iv. The Minister also informed that India will be declared a polio free country by the World Health Organization on January 13 which is a milestone for the Country.
v. Speaking at the launch of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram(National Adolescent Health Programme) in New Delhi, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Government stands committed towards promoting adolescent health mission in the country and would address the health needs of 243 million adolescents who constitute 21 per cent of the total population in India.
3. India and Fiji sign double taxation avoidance agreement
i. India and Fiji have signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, DTAA for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
ii. The Agreement was signed in Delhi yesterday by the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Fiji's Minister of Justice, Public Enterprises, and Industry and Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
iii. Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister Mr Chidambaram said that the Agreement will provide tax stability to the residents of India and Fiji and facilitate mutual economic cooperation. The move will also stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services between both countries.
4. PC Parakh authored book Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths released
i. Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths: authored by PC Parekh
ii. A memoir entitled "Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths" authored by former Coal Secretary PC Parakh was released on 14 April 2014 in New Delhi. In the book the author has claimed that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was running a government in which he had little political authority.
iii. The writer has said that the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh was unable to prevent his junior ministers from blocking a move towards a transparent system during the bidding for the coal blocks.
iv. He also said that the coal scam would have been avoided if the Prime Minister pushed for certain reforms like e-marketing and open auction of coal blocks.
v. PC Parekh claimed that he drew inspiration for writing a book from Premchand’s literary work Namak Ka Daroga. The book has been published by Manas Publication.
