- JUNE’S GROSS GST REVENUE GROWTH SLOWS TO A THREE YEAR LOW
- India’s GST collections in June 2024 rose by 7.74% to about ₹1.74 lakh crore, marking a three-year low in growth.
- The Finance Ministry did not release an official statement on the June GST revenues.
- The slowdown follows higher growth rates in April and May 2024.
- Factors affecting GST collections include economic activities and policy changes.
- The GST Day on July 1 was marked by highlighting the tax system’s achievements in reducing compliance burdens and enhancing taxpayer benefits
2. GOVERNMENT UNDECIDED ON DEADLINE TO FIX BOUNDARIES FOR CENSUS
- The deadline to freeze administrative boundaries for the upcoming Census has been extended multiple times since December 2020.
- Administrative Boundaries Freeze: § The deadline to freeze administrative boundaries (districts, tehsils, towns, municipal bodies) ended on June 30, 2024.
- This deadline has been extended nine times since December 2020.
- The extension order on December 30, 2023, pushed the Census exercise at least till October 1, 2024.
- The ambiguity affects the timeline for the Census, now likely delayed until at least October 2024.
- Preparation Time:
- It typically takes three months to prepare enumerators for the Census. ○ If the freeze is not extended post-facto, the Census could potentially start in the next three to six months.
- The delay impacts the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, which requires delimitation based on Census data. Women’s Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam)
- Legislation: Passed in the Special Session of Parliament last year.
- Reserves 33% of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies for women.
- Implementation:
- The Act’s implementation is contingent on the conduct of the Census.
- Delimitation based on the first Census figures recorded after the Act’s commencement is required.
3. ISREAL IS FACING A STRATEGIC DEFEAT IN GAZA
- Conflict Initiation: Israel declared war on Gaza following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed at least 1,200 people.
- Objective: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed to “crush” Hamas, but Israeli leaders later acknowledged that eliminating Hamas is not feasible.
- Impact on Gaza: Destruction: Heavy airstrikes and invasion have devastated Gaza.
- Casualties: Over 37,000 people killed and 86,000 wounded out of a pre- war population of 2.3 million.
- Displacement: Almost the entire population has been displaced.
- Military and Strategic Outcomes: Hamas: Despite extensive military efforts, Hamas remains entrenched.
- Hezbollah: Hezbollah’s controlled attacks from Lebanon have displaced 60,000 Israelis. Israel faces a dilemma in responding without escalating to a full-scale war.
- Iran: Iran has retaliated against Israeli strikes, expanding its nuclear program and challenging Israel’s deterrence.
- Regional and International Repercussions:
- Arab Normalisation: The process of normalising relations with Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, has stalled.
- Global Isolation: Israel faces international criticism and legal challenges, including genocide accusations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Palestine Question: The conflict has reignited global focus on the Palestinian issue, with several countries recognizing the state of Palestine.
- Strategic Dilemma: Unfinished War: The conflict with Hamas remains unresolved, and tensions with Hezbollah and Iran are escalating.
- International Rebuke: Israel’s conduct in the war has led to global condemnation and increased support for the Palestinian cause.
- Need for Strategy Review: Israel’s reliance on military solutions has not advanced its long-term interests, suggesting a need for a comprehensive strategic review
4. COMPLETE SYNERGY – NAVY AND AIR FORCE
- Operational Readiness: General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized ensuring the Army’s readiness to operate across the full spectrum of conflict, maintaining synergy with the Navy, Air Force, and other stakeholders.
- Vision for Viksit Bharat-2047: The Army aims to be a major pillar in nation-building to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047.
- Technological Advancements: The Army will continuously equip soldiers with state-of-the art weapons and technology to address unique operational challenges and evolving threats.
- Military Modernisation: The Army is on a path to transformation, aspiring to be self- reliant (atmanirbhar) by encouraging indigenous initiatives and inducting maximum war systems and equipment manufactured in India.
- Welfare and Support: General Dwivedi prioritized the interests and welfare of all ranks and defence civilians, as well as veterans, veer naris (war widows), and their families.
- Leadership Changes: Lieutenant-General N.S. Raja Subramani assumed charge as the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff. ○ Lieutenant-General Devendra Sharma took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).
5. RBI, ASEAN TO CREATE PLATFORM FOR INSTANT RETAIL PAYMENTS
- RBI and ASEAN countries plan to launch a platform for instant cross[1]border retail payments by 2026.
- Project Nexus aims to connect fast payment systems of India and four ASEAN countries.
- This collaboration is set to enhance financial connectivity and transaction ease in the region.
ONE LINER
- Kozhikode became part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as the city was awarded the title of City of Literature
- Pulavar Puthugai was published. The book Velunachiyar Kavyam written by Vettivelan
