NDA Govt. brings new, simple IT return forms Sunday May 31,2015

 

The Finance Ministry on Sunday May 31,2015 came out with new three-page income tax return (ITR) forms, dropping the controversial provision for mandatory disclosure of foreign trips and dormant bank accounts, while it also extended the last date of filing to August 31,2015

The salaried individuals and those persons who do not have business/professional income are required to file I-T returns in either ITR-1 or ITR-2 by July 31 every year. 

The new forms — ITR 2 and ITR 2A — will have only three pages and other details will have to be filled in schedules, said a Finance Ministry statement.

At present, individuals/HUFs having income from more than one house property and capital gains are required to file form ITR-2.

Individuals having exempt income without any ceiling (other than agricultural income exceeding Rs 5,000) can now file form ITR 1 (Sahaj). Similar simplification is also proposed for individuals/HUF in respect of form ITR 4S (Sugam)

A new form ITR 2A has been brought out by the Ministry, which can be filed by an individual or HUF, who does not have capital gains, income from business/ profession or foreign asset/foreign income.

The statement also said that the last date for submission of tax returns will be extended to August 31, 2015.

“In lieu of foreign travel details, it is now proposed that only passport number, if available, would be required to be given in forms ITR-2 and ITR-2A. Details of foreign trips or expenditure thereon are not required to be furnished,” it said.

Further, the Ministry has done away with disclosure of details of dormant accounts which are not operational during the last three years.

“As regards bank account details in all these forms, only the IFSC code, account number of all the current/savings account, which are held at any time during the previous year will be required to be filled-up. The balance in accounts will not be required to be furnished,” the statement added

NDA Govt.’s ‘khoyapaya’ website to help trace missing children

 

With 11 children disappearing every hour in the country, the government will on June 2,2015 roll out a web platform for people to directly report, track and upload information on missing children.

The web portal will be launched by the Women and Child Development Ministry. It will serve as a platform for people to not only report a missing child but also track the efforts towards his or her recovery.

The website, www.khoyapaya.gov.in, will answer all queries as to what action is to be taken when a child goes missing.

A joint initiative of the WCD Ministry and the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, the website will have three sections - ‘My child is missing’, ‘I have sighted a child’ and ‘Search a missing child’.

The website will also provide links to court orders wherein police have been mandated to register an FIR in the matter of a child gone missing and treat it as either abduction or trafficking unless it is proved otherwise in the investigation

FIFA Profits Are Incredibly High For A Non-Profit Organisation

 

FIFA generates billions in revenue from TV rights and sponsorship yet describes itself as an "association of associations with a non-commercial, not for profit purpose".

So where does this money go? In 2014 Fifa paid out £26.1 million in salaries to its top 13 executives.

Kenya celebrates Madaraka Day - June 1

 

Kenya celebrates June 1 as Madaraka Day , which commemorates the day the African country attained internal self-rule in 1963, preceding its full independence from the United Kingdom.

Trial run for Kolkata-Agartala Bus service via Dhaka begins Monday June 01,2015

 

A trial run of the Kolkata-Agartala direct bus service via Dhaka began on Monday June 01,2015

The bus has departed from Kolkata and will cross over to Bangladesh later in the day and travel through the country and enter Tripura through the Akhaura check post and arrive at Agartala International Bus Terminus of Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) at about 11 am tomorrow.

The bus will return from Agartala on June 3 in the morning and reach Kolkata on the same day. The total travel time is around 14 to 16 hours including formalities at the immigration centers.

The via Bangladesh route reduces the distance between Agartala and Kolkata by 513 km

Harriette Thompson(92)Sets Record for Oldest Woman Marathoner Sunday May 31, 2015

 

92 year old Harriette Thompson and son Brenny Thompson, finish the Suja Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon on May 31, 2015 in San Diego, California.

A 92-year-old US grandmother has become the oldest woman to finish a marathon, when she crossed the finish line of a San Diego 26-miler on Sunday, race organizers said.

A smiling Harriette Thompson, aged 92 years and 65 days, was cheered by dozens of onlookers and supporters as she completed the Southern California event in seven hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds.

Speaking to her hometown newspaper, the Charlotte Observer, Thompson said she felt "a little stiff" after the race

No deal in Senate, NSA domestic surveillance program expires Monday June 01,2015

 

The National Security Agency is losing its authority to collect Americans' phone records in bulk, after GOP Sen. Rand Paul stood in the way of extending the fiercely contested program in an extraordinary Sunday May 31,2015 Senate session.

But that program and several other post-Sept. 11 counter-terror measures look likely to be revived in a matter of days. With no other options, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in an about-face, reluctantly embraced a House-passed bill that would extend the anti-terror provisions that expire Sunday at midnight, while also remaking the bulk phone collections program.

Although the lapse in the programs may be brief, intelligence officials warned that it could jeopardize Americans' safety and amount to a win for terrorists. But civil liberties groups applauded as Paul, who is running for president, forced the expiration of the once-secret program made public by NSA contractor Edward Snowden, which critics say is an unconstitutional intrusion into Americans' privacy.

The Senate voted 77-17 to move ahead on the House-passed bill, the USA Freedom Act, which only last weekend fell three votes short of the 60 needed to advance in the Senate. For McConnell, it was a remarkable retreat after objecting ferociously that the House bill would make the bulk phone collections program dangerously unwieldy by requiring the government to search records maintained by phone companies.

"It's not ideal but, along with votes on some modest amendments that attempt to ensure the program can actually work as promised, it's now the only realistic way forward," McConnell said.

The White House backs the House bill. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement: "The Senate took an important - if late - step forward tonight. We call on the Senate to ensure this irresponsible lapse in authorities is as short-lived as possible. On a matter as critical as our national security, individual senators must put aside their partisan motivations and act swiftly."

But the Senate adjourned without final action on the bill after Paul asserted his prerogative under Senate rules to delay a final vote for a couple of days.

China's Toughest Anti-Smoking Legislation Comes into Effect in Beijing Monday June 01,2015

 

The toughest anti-smoking legislation in China's history came into effect today Monday June 01,2015  in Beijing, with unprecedented fines and a hotline to report offenders following fears of weak enforcement.

The law makes smoking in offices, restaurants, hotels and hospitals illegal, with venues where the ban is flouted liable to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,600).

Venues which repeatedly ignore the law could have their licenses revoked, while individuals caught smoking in specified areas could be fined as much as 200 yuan.

As well as indoor smoking, the law prohibits lighting up in some open-air spaces close to schools, hospitals, and sports venues.

Despite a government awareness campaign that saw posters detailing the law displayed in restaurants and offices around the city, many say it will be difficult to implement

The government-suggested anti-smoking gestures: Don't (不可以), I do mind (我介意) and Please stop (请停止)

 

Various parties - the police, building managers, tenants and health inspectors - have been called on to implement the ban, but the law "fails to make clear who is ultimately responsible, thus leaving the possibility that they will pass the buck to each other", state-run newspaper Beijing Youth Daily pointed out.

The law - limited to the capital - is not China's first such effort.

A similar nationwide measure was passed in 2011, albeit without financial sanctions, but implementation was lacklustre.

Google celebrates actress Nargis Dutt's 86th birth anniversary with a doodle Monday June 01,2015

 

Today's Google Doodle is a dedication to legendary actress and social activist Nargis, who graced the silver screen in iconic films like 'Awaara', 'Mother India', 'Raat aur Din', 'Shree 420' among others.

Considered to be one of India's greatest on-screen performers, Nargis debuted in 1942 with the film 'Tamanna'. She subsequently appeared in several commercially and critically-acclaimed films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, notably with actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor.

Nargis has many firsts to her name.

In 1957, she played the lead in Mehboob Khan's 'Mother India' which became the first Indian movie to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Nargis won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance. In 1958, she became the first film actress to be conferred with the Padma Shri and 10 years later, she would become the inaugural winner of the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in 'Raat aur Din'. She was also the first patron of the Spastics Society of India.

She married her 'Mother India' co-star Sunil Dutt in 1958 and together, they had three children: actor Sanjay Dutt, Namrata Dutt and former Congress lawmaker Priya Dutt. She was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1980.

She succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 1981 at the age of 51

President Pranab Mukherjee Visits Sweden Sunday May 31,2015

 

President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday May 31,2015 arrived here on the first leg of his 5-day state visit to Sweden and Belarus, the first ever by any Indian head of state, during which a number of key agreements on sustainable development, scientific research are likely to be signed.

Upon his arrival, Mukherjee was received by Crown Princess Victoria at the Arland airport.

Later, he was received at the Royal Mews by the King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia from where he was taken on a horse-drawn cortege to the Royal Palace, where the traditional welcoming ceremony took place.

President, Pranab Mukherjee with King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the royal palace in Stockholm,Sweden on 31 May, 2015

 

During his three-day State visit, the President will meet Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, and the Leader of Opposition, Anna Kinberg Batra besides number of meetings with the King and the Queen.

Mukherjee would be visiting the world renowned medical research centre Karolinska Institute and Uppsala University, the oldest university in Europe which was started in 1477.

The visit will focus on innovation, sustainable development, urban development and scientific research with both countries exploring ways to enhance mutual exchange in the areas of trade and science.

The President will also interact with the members of the Indian community, which comprises 18,000 People of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India card holders and Indian Passport holders working in the hospitality industry and IT sector

Brendon McCullum, Mike Hesson appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit Monday June 01,2015

 

New Zealand`s unprecedented success in reaching the Cricket World Cup final earlier this year has resulted in honours for captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson.

Both were appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (NZOM) in the Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honours list released Monday June 01,2015

Brendon McCullum, who made his international debut in a one-day international against Australia in 2002 and played his first Test against South Africa two years later, said he was "humbled" to be recognised.

Brendon McCullum and Hesson have been New Zealand`s captain and coach since 2012 and in addition to taking the side to the World Cup final for the first time they also led New Zealand to an unprecedented five Test wins in the 2014-15 season.

In the current second Test against England at Headingly, New Zealand hold a 338-run lead in their second innings with four wickets in hand and two days to play.

England won the first Test by 124 runs at Lord`s.

The top 10 highest-paid female CEOs in 2014

 

Female CEOs are outpacing their male colleagues in pay, although they remain vastly outnumbered in the top echelons of American companies

Last year, the median pay for women CEOs rose to $15.9 million, a 21 per cent gain from a year earlier, according to a study by executive compensation data firm Equilar and The Associated Press. That compared with median pay for male CEOs of $10.4 million, which was down 0.8 per cent from 2013

Marissa Mayer, the head of Yahoo, was the highest-paid female chief executive in the Equilar/AP pay study. Her compensation was almost double that of the next-highest earner on the list — Carol Meyrowitz of discount retailer TJX Companies

Still, there is a big caveat: There are far fewer female CEOs than males among large US companies. The study of 340 CEOs included 17 women.

No. 1: Marissa Mayer, Yahoo, $42.1 million, up 69 %

No. 2: Carol Meyrowitz, TJX Companies, $23.3 million, up 13 %

No. 3: Margaret Whitman, Hewlett-Packard, $19.6 million, up 11 %

No. 4: Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo, $19.1 million, up 45 %

No. 5: Phebe Novakovic, General Dynamics, $19 million, up 1 %

No. 6: Virginia Rometty, IBM, $17.9 million, up 28 %

No. 7: Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin, $17.9 million, up 13 %

No. 8: Patricia Woertz, Archer Daniels Midland, $16.3 million, up 138 %

No. 9: Irene Rosenfeld, Mondelez International, $15.9 million, up 14 %

No. 10: Ellen Kullman, DuPont, $13.1 million, down 1 %     

 

Service Tax is 14% Effective from June 01,2015

 

This is to inform that as per Finance Act 2015 read with Notification No 14/2015- dated May 19, 2015 issued by Ministry of Finance, Government of India, effective rate of service tax will be changed from current rate of 12.36% to 14%

People will have to shell out more from Monday June 01,2015 while using mobiles, eating out and travelling as the service tax rate goes up to 14 %

Mobile operators and credit card companies have already started sending messages to subscribers conveying the increase in service tax rate which will have a bearing on the bills

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget had proposed to raise service tax from 12.36 % (including education cess) to 14%.
Arun Jaitley had proposed to raise the service tax rate to 14 per cent to facilitate a smooth transition to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, which the government wants to roll out from April 2016.
Once implemented, GST will subsume service tax, excise and other local levies

Education cess, which is levied on service tax, will be subsumed in the service tax rate efeective from June 01,2015
Although the Budget also proposed a 2 per cent Swachh Bharat cess on selected services, the government is yet to come out with a notification in this regard.

New secretarial standards for corporates

 

The new Secretarial Standards, recently specified by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), on board of directors meetings and general meetings of corporates, approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, will be coming into effect from July 1, 2015, according to Atul H. Mehta, President, ICSI.

Atul H. Mehta, President, ICSI said these Secretarial Standards provide detailed procedures on issues such as agenda of the meeting, notice convening the meeting and maintenance of the minutes. “These are mandatory to listed and private companies,” he said. “Around eight lakh companies in India will have to comply with these Secretarial Standards to be fully compliant under Companies Act 2013,” 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 8th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' Sunday May 31,2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the eighth edition of his radio program 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday May 31,2015

Here are the highlights from the PM's address

 

• My fellow citizens the last time I spoke with you all on 'Mann ki Baat', Nepal had seen a devastating earthquake. This time we are surrounded by a heat wave.
• I urge you all to take care of yourselves in this heat. At the same time, take care of the birds & animals around you as well.
• Board exam results are out. I congratulate those who have passed the exams.
• Many people told me that your 'Mann Ki Baat' before the exams was very helpful. But, the real reason for students' success is their own hard work.
• Success and failure are a part of life. We can learn a lot from failure as well.
• It's important that you realise your potential, capabilities and choose your path based on that.
• I have always wanted to work for the poor. We think of new initiatives, we take feedback on initiatives.
• Another thing that gives me a lot of joy is the Kisan TV Channel (launched a few days ago).
• Kisan TV channel is a channel where both the teacher and the student are farmers.

World No Tobacco Day - May 31

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on May 31 to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of Tobacco consumption across the globe.

The day is further intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to 5.4 million deaths worldwide annually

The member states of the World Health Organization(WHO) created World No Tobacco Day in 1987.

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is one of 8 official Global Pblic Health Campaigns marked by the World Health Organization(WHO), along with -

• World Health Day -April 07
• World Blood Donor Day -June 14
• World Immunization Week -last week of April
• World Tuberculosis Day -March 24
• World Malaria Day -April 25
• World Hepatitis Day -July 28 and
• World AIDS Day -December 01

Top Ten Most Populated Countries of the World

 

 Figures as of May 2015

1)China                           137,01,30,000

2)India                            127,19,80,000

3) USA                            32,11,07,000

4)Indonesia                      25,54,61,700

5)Brazil                           20,43,88,000

6)Pakistan                      18,99,36,000

7)Nigeria                       18,35,23,000

8)Bangladesh                 15,84,25,000

9)Russia                        14,62,67,288

10)Japan                       12,68,80,000

Alastair Cook becomes England's leading Run-Scorer in Test Matches Saturday May 30,2015

Alastair Cook has passed Graham Gooch to become England's leading Test run scorer. 

England's leading run scorers in Test cricket
Player	Runs	Tests	Years active	Average
Alastair Cook	8,902	114	2006-present	46.85*
Graham Gooch	8,900	118	1975-1995	42.58
Alec Stewart	8,463	133	1990-2003	39.54
David Gower	8,231	117	1978-1992	44.25
Kevin Pietersen	8,181	104	2005-2014	47.28

In reaching 32 on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at Headingley on Saturday May 30,2015, he overtook Graham Gooch's mark of 8,900, which has stood since 1995.

England captain Alastair Cook(30) is playing his 114th Test, having made his debut in 2006 Vs India @ Nagpur and scored 60 and 104* and became the16th player to score a ton on Test Debut

Alastair Cook stands 13th on the all-time list of Test Run Scorers and only one current Test player - Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara - is ahead of him on a chart led by India great Sachin Tendulkar with 15,921 runs.

Most Runs

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	0
SR Tendulkar (India)	1989-2013	200	329	33	15921	248*	53.78	51	68	14
RT Ponting (Aus)	1995-2012	168	287	29	13378	257	51.85	41	62	17
JH Kallis (ICC/SA)	1995-2013	166	280	40	13289	224	55.37	45	58	16
R Dravid (ICC/India)	1996-2012	164	286	32	13288	270	52.31	36	63	8
KC Sangakkara (SL)	2000-2015	130	225	17	12203	319	58.66	38	51	10
BC Lara (ICC/WI)	1990-2006	131	232	6	11953	400*	52.88	34	48	17
S Chanderpaul (WI)	1994-2015	164	280	49	11867	203*	51.37	30	66	15
DPMD Jayawardene (SL)	1997-2014	149	252	15	11814	374	49.84	34	50	15
AR Border (Aus)	1978-1994	156	265	44	11174	205	50.56	27	63	11
SR Waugh (Aus)	1985-2004	168	260	46	10927	200	51.06	32	50	22
SM Gavaskar (India)	1971-1987	125	214	16	10122	236*	51.12	34	45	12
GC Smith (ICC/SA)	2002-2014	117	205	13	9265	277	48.25	27	38	11
AN Cook (Eng)	2006-2015	114*	203	12	8944	294	46.82	27	41	7
GA Gooch (Eng)	1975-1995	118	215	6	8900	333	42.58	20	46	13
Javed Miandad (Pak)	1976-1993	124	189	21	8832	280*	52.57	23	43	6
Inzamam-ul-Haq (ICC/Pak)	1992-2007	120	200	22	8830	329	49.60	25	46	15
VVS Laxman (India)	1996-2012	134	225	34	8781	281	45.97	17	56	14
ML Hayden (Aus)	1994-2009	103	184	14	8625	380	50.73	30	29	14
V Sehwag (ICC/India)	2001-2013	104	180	6	8586	319	49.34	23	32	16
Younis Khan (Pak)	2000-2015	98	175	16	8547	313	53.75	29	29	16
IVA Richards (WI)	1974-1991	121	182	12	8540	291	50.23	24	45	10

Election Commission of India(ECI) Announces By-Election Dates for 6 Assembly Seats in 5 States Tuesday May 26,2015

 

The Election Commission of India(ECI) on Tuesday May 26,2015 announced bypolls in six assembly constituencies in five states, including Radhakrishnan Nagar from where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is likely to contest.

Besides Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar, by elections would be held in Chokpot (Meghalaya), Aruvikkara (Kerala), Pratapgarh and Surma (Tripura) and Garoth (Madhya Pradesh) on June 27,2015

The notification would be issued June 3, while June 10 will be the last date of filing nominations. Counting will be held on June 30, 2015 an EC statement said.

India's First Trangender College Principal

 

Manabi Bandopadhyay – a transgender from West Bengal – will make history when she takes charge of Krishnagar Women's College in Nadia district on June 9,2015
"For me, it’s a long battle against ignorance. There was a time when I and even my father were threatened with (dire) consequences as I am a transgender. I spent my childhood in Nadia and it’s a comeback to my home with pride and dignity after a long battle," Bandopadhyay told Hindustan Times.
This is not the first time Bandopadhyay, currently an associate professor in Bengali at the Vivekananda Satobarshiki Mahavidyalaya, has created history for the transgender community.

In 1995, she published the country’s first transgender magazine, Ob-Manab (sub-human). The magazine, despite a very low circulation, continues to be published.
"I was the first transgender professor in West Bengal and the first transgender to complete a PhD. Despite getting my due honour, I have always faced threats and insults," said Bandopadhyay, who completed her PhD on transgenders in 2005.
She did her MA in Bengali and joined the Vivekananda Centenary College in Jhargram sub-division as a lecturer in the late 1990s. But she faced challenges from her colleagues in her very first assignment.

Manabi underwent a series of operations in 2003 and 2004 and became a full-fledged woman. In 2004, I became Manabi (which means beautiful woman in Bengali) from Somnath (her given name)

Note
India is estimated to have about two million transgender people.

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday May 27,2015

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday  May 27,2015 invited former PM Manmohan Singh for a discussion on the economy and foreign policy though the two men publicly exchanged barbs earlier in the day. 

The meeting at 7 Race Course Road took place hours after Dr. Singh sharply attacked the BJP-led government, raising speculation in political circles on its significance. Especially as Mr. Modi immediately posted a tweet, accompanied by photographs of the two smiling and shaking hands: “Very happy to meet Dr Manmohan Singhji & welcome him back to 7RCR. We had a great meeting.” 

Later, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma told The Hindu: “The meeting took place at the behest of Prime Minister Modi, who invited Dr. Singh to discuss the state of the economy and foreign policy issues

IBA Signs Agreement with Employee Unions,Officers Association Monday May 25,2015

 

Around 10 lakh employees of 43 banks, including public sector lenders, will get a 15 per cent hike in salaries, with the Indian Banks Association on Monday May 25,2015 signing a wage agreement with employee unions and officer associations.

The revision, applicable retrospectively with effect from November 1, 2012, will benefit employees and officers in 43 banks including PSU banks, old private sector banks and a few foreign banks.

The 15 per cent hike would put an extra burden of Rs 4,725 crore on the banks.

"The 15 per cent wage revision would cost banks Rs 4,725 crore as incremental salary and allowances in a year. If superannuation cost is included, then the total burden would be around Rs 8,370 crore," IBA chairman T M Bhasin told

As a prudent measure, banks have been making provision for wage hike for last few years.

For officers, the pay has been revised from existing range of Rs 14,500-Rs 52,000 to Rs 23,700-Rs 85,000.

A special allowance for officers ranging from 7.75 to 11 per cent of basic pay along with applicable dearness allowance has been introduced.

The scale of pay of workmen and non-subordinate staff has been revised from Rs 7,200-Rs 19,300 to Rs 11,765-Rs 31,540 while the scale of pay of subordinate staff has been increased from Rs 5,850-Rs 11,350 to Rs 9,560-Rs 18,545.

As per the new pact, a special allowance for workmen at 7.75 per cent of basic pay along with applicable dearness allowance has also been introduced

Arrears to workmen will be given immediately and within 4-6 months for officers.

The wage settlement has also introduced a medical insurance scheme for employees of member banks and their family members.
Earlier, all banks were having reimbursement of hospitalisation and medical expenses on individual bank basis. Now, we have taken consolidated policy from four public sector non-life companies which gives a floater cover of Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh for family.

The bank employees will now soon get holidays on second and fourth Saturdays.
RBI has given in-principle approval for it (holidays) and we have written to the government. We hope to get permission soon. We expect it should take 3-4 weeks' time to implement it

Daimler India Commercial VEhicles Inaugurates its Bus Plant at Oragadam,Chennai Wednesday May 27,2015

 

Global automobile major Daimler inaugurated its Rs 425 crore bus facility here on Wednesday. The company also simultaneously unveiled six new products for the Indian market, including a luxury bus and three heavy duty trucks.

The plant, spread over 28 acres in Oragadam, will be equipped to roll out 1,500 units per annum, and the capacity can be expanded to 4,000 units if the market demands.
“This new plant will manufacture buses in the 9, 16 and 16 plus ton range,” said Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the Board of Management, Daimler.

With the launch of the plant, the sprawling Daimler facility in Chennai becomes the only Daimler plant worldwide to produce trucks, buses and engines for three brands – Mercedes-Benz, BharatBenz and Fuso – in the same location.

The company also launched three buses, two intra-city buses under BharatBenz brand and an inter-city bus under the Mercedes-Benz brand. The BharatBenz buses are intended as school and staff buses.

Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses, said, “We expect the volume of the Indian market for buses weighing more than 8 tons  to more than double by 2020.”

The localisation levels for these buses will be 90% for the BharatBenz brand and 75% for the Mercedes-Benz brands.

Daimler also unveiled a mining truck with a heavy duty engine that will be available in two variants. The company is also planning to launch a truck for transporting heavy-lift project cargo later in the year.

 Erich Nesselhauf, MD and CEO of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), said that the company has already rolled out over 20,000 trucks out of the Oragadam plant.

The plant is set to create 1,300 job opportunities in Tamil Nadu, 300 for DICV and an additional 1,000 at Wrightbus International, which would operate the plant for Daimler.
“Exports from the plant are also all set to roll out by the third quarter of this quarter. We are planning to export these buses to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the Middle East,” said Schick.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches ''DD Kisan'' Channel Tuesday May 26,2015

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched Doordarshan's farmer-centric channel –DD Kisan.

Addressing the farmers during the launch of the channel, Modi said that agriculture must be encouraged in India.

While stating that the growth of the villages are key to the growth of the nation, Modi said, “Increase in production will lead to increase income.”

The Kisan channel would lead to more awareness among farmers regarding the sector, Modi further added.

The government has made it a "must carry" channel making it mandatory for cable and Direct to Home (DTH) operators to provide it to their subscribers

Officials said that earlier there were 24 TV channels which were must carry channels and after the notification issued with regard to DD Kisan, there are 25 such channels now. Several Doordarshan channels are included in the category of 'must carry' channels