Maharashtra demands release of ₹24,000 crore GST compensation
The Hindu
FM calls for suitable sharing with States ‘at this critical juncture to strengthen the fight against the pandemic’
Maharashtra Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday demanded the release of ₹24,000 crore GST compensation pending to the State for the financial year 2020-21 from the Centre, considering the financial position of the State in the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Pawar also demanded tax relief with respect to COVID-19 related medical supplies, as well as medical grade oxygen, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters and COVID-19 testing kits. “Total compensation payable to the State for the year 2020-21 is around ₹46,000 crore. So far, the State has received around ₹22,000 crore. Hence, for the financial year 2020-21, compensation of around ₹24,000 crore is pending,” said Mr. Pawar, adding that the assumptions for calculating compensation for the financial year 2021-22 may be re-examined and corrected so that the State received adequate compensation and was not left with large arrears as it was in 2020-21.Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder and Chidambaram M.P., Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Friday recalled the arduous journey of steering the party through the transition from being a radical organisation whose slogan was ‘Adanga Maru, Aththu Meeru, Thimiri Ezhu, Thiruppi Adi’ (Don’t bow down, disobey, rise up and hit back) to become an important cog in the wheel of electoral politics in Tamil Nadu today as VCK, with four MLAs and two MPs, is set to be recognised by the Election Commission of India as a ‘state party’.
Amid strike by some Loco Pilots, Railways is trying to ensure undisrupted service: Palakkad Division
The Palakkad Division of Southern Railway on Friday, said it was making all efforts to keep trains running in time amid a section of Loco Pilots continuing to strike from work with a demand for a 46-hour periodical rest.
After completing her Class XII a few years ago, Lakshmi Priya from Sivakasi faced financial constraints that prevented her from pursuing higher education. Despite her circumstances, she persevered by folding matchboxes to earn a meagre income. “I have always done this work – folding matchboxes. Many families in Sivakasi and surrounding areas do this work, from home,” said Ms.Priya who is now 19 years old. “I always wanted to learn something related to Computer Science. We did not have a proper teacher for this particular subject at school. But I managed to score 95%,” she said.
Ahead of the southwest monsoon, the officials from multiple departments were directed to carry out the standard operating procedure and ensure that all the parameters were adhered to as per the guidelines issued by the Disaster Management Plan of the Tamil Nadu government, said Theni Collector R.V. Shajeevana here on Friday.