News updates: Govt orders CBI probe in NEET paper leak case

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"Probe into alleged irregularities in NEET-UG handed over to CBI for comprehensive investigation," say Education Ministry officials.

NEET-PG examination postponed, fresh date to be announced at the earliest, says Health Ministry.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the intention of the central government has always been to bring petrol and diesel under GST, and it is now up to the states to come together and decide on the rate. She said a provision has already been made by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley by including petrol and diesel into GST law. What is remaining is for the states to come together to discuss and decide on the rate of the levy. "The intention of the GST, as was brought in by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, was to have petrol and diesel in GST. It is up to the states now... to decide on the rate. The intent of my predecessor was very clear, we want petrol and diesel to come into GST," Sitharaman said. When GST was introduced on July 1, 2017, amalgamating over a dozen central and state levies, five commodities -- crude oil, natural gas, petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) -- were included in GST law but it was decided that it would be taxed under GST at a later date.

In order to reduce government litigations, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the GST Council has fixed a monetary limit for filing appeals by the tax department before the various appellate authorities. It has recommended a monetary limit of Rs 20 lakh for GST Appellate Tribunal, Rs 1 crore for the High Court and Rs 2 crore for the Supreme Court for filing of appeals by the department before these legal forums, she said after the 53rd GST Council meeting held here.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during press conference on 53rd GST Counsil meeting held on Saturday, "The time limit to avail input tax credit in respect of any invoice or debit note under section 16(4) of the CGST Act filed up to the 30-11-2021 for the financial years 17-18, 18-19, 19-20 and 20-21 may be deemed to be 2011 to 2021. So for the same requisite amendment retrospectively with effect from 1 July 2017, the council has made a recommendation." He further said,"There is going to be a rolling out of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication on an all-India basis. This will help us to combat fraudulent input tax credit claims made through fake invoices in the cases..."

On the GST Council meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav says, "... A lot of issues were discussed the whole day and in most of them, they were trying to clarify what has happened and were trying to make it a little easier and user friendly, business-friendly. They were trying to avoid all the future litigations... Post-budget session, there's likely to be another meeting... Most of the recommendations have been approved. Mostly a press note will be coming from the GST council. It was a very interesting and good discussion which took place..."

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday morning chaired a pre-budget meeting with Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories. She also chaired the 53rd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council Meeting scheduled in the second half of the day.

"Former Isro chief K Radhakrishnan to head seven-member panel on reforms in examination process," says education ministry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina held extensive talks on Saturday to enhance cooperation in trade, connectivity, and other areas. Hasina, who began her two-day visit on Friday, marks the first bilateral state visit by a foreign leader since India's new government formed post Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, PM Hasina paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs pre-budget meeting with Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories at Bharat Mandapam. The meeting is convened to take suggestions for the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25. Next month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will rise to present her seventh consecutive Union Budget, including the Interim one in February this year.
 

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims to curb unfair practices in public examinations and common entrance tests nationwide, became effective on Friday. This follows controversies surrounding alleged malpractices in NEET and UGC NET exams. Passed during the Budget session, the Act seeks to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in public exams, including those conducted by various government bodies like UPSC, SSC, RRB, NTA, IBPS, and central government departments.

Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader Subramanian Ma reported that 185 individuals have been hospitalized and 50 deaths have been recorded so far in Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. Senior officials have been present for three days, overseeing the situation, and the Chief Minister has taken prompt action, addressing the Tamil Nadu Assembly today. Chief Minister has announced compensation of 10 lakhs for the families of the deceased.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to preside over a GST Council meeting on June 22 expected to reassess the 28 per cent GST rate applicable to the online gaming industry. This session marks the first meeting in eight months since the 52nd GST Council convened on October 7, 2023, with participation from finance ministers of all states and Union Territories.