- Direct Tax kitty picks up pace, up 20.25% by Feb 10
- Direct Taxes: These are taxes paid directly to the government by the individual or organisation upon whom it is imposed. Examples include income tax and corporate tax
- Personal Income Tax: This is a tax levied on the income of individuals. The rate of taxation varies according to the income levels or brackets set by the government
- Corporate Income Tax: A tax on the profits of corporations. The rates can be flat or vary based on the level of profits earned
2. Over 3 lakh ASHAs apply for centre’s health cover
- Central government announced inclusion of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers and helpers in the Ayushman Bharat free public health cover scheme
- The Health Ministry has so far received Aadhaar details of 23 lakh anganwadi workers and helpers and over three lakh ASHA workers from various States
- Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
- It provides health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh a year for poor and vulnerable families
- In India, currently 55 crore individuals corresponding to 12 crore families are covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme
3. Ensure fair, equitable evaluation process in NEXT: House panel
- It’s designed to be a comprehensive exam for medical graduates in India.
- The intent is to replace multiple current exams including:
- The final MBBS exam
- The NEET-PG (postgraduate entrance)
- The FMGE (licensing exam for foreign medical graduates)
- The Goal of NExT
- Improve the quality and consistency of medical education across India.
- Address the overemphasis on theory and rote learning that the current exam system fosters.
4. Farmers may start Delhi march today as talks collapse A large group of farmers (approximately one lakh) from the SKM-NP are preparing for a rally in Delhi demanding guaranteed minimum support prices (MSPs) for their produce. minimum support prices (MSP)
- MSP is a price floor set by the Indian government for certain agricultural crops.
- It acts as a guaranteed minimum price at which farmers can sell their produce.
- Purpose: Protects farmers from market fluctuations and sudden price drops.
- Provides income stability and encourages investment in agriculture.
- Contributes to national food security.
- How it works: The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) calculates and recommends MSPs.
- The government announces final MSPs before the sowing season.
- Government agencies buy crops directly from farmers if the market price falls below MSP.
5. Decoding India’s economic realities Fiscal Consolidation & Government Narrative
- Interim Budget Focus: Shifts towards reducing the fiscal deficit.
- Expenditure Cuts: Affect capital investment, welfare, and subsidies.
- Debt Worries: Rising debt liabilities complicate the fiscal situation.
- ‘White Paper’ Debate: The BJP argues it inherited a weak economy from the UPA; critics dispute this.
- Economic Growth: Questioning the Numbers
- Slower Growth: Economic activity may be slowing down, despite official denials.
- Deflator Anomaly: Discrepancy between GDP deflator and inflation figures fuels doubts.
- IMF Projections: Less optimistic growth outlook from the IMF compared to the Indian government.
- Accuracy Debate: Critics challenge the veracity of official growth estimates.
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FEB 12- To bring more awareness on the concept of productivity and tools and techniques for it. It was observed since 1958. Its motive to celebrate the foundation of national productive council. Its theme is Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Productivity Engine for Economic Growth (2024)
