National
‘AIS for Taxpayer’ Mobile App
⇒ The Income Tax Department has launched a Mobile app, namely, ‘AIS for Taxpayer’ to facilitate taxpayers to view their information as available in the Annual Information Statement (AIS) / Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS).
About Mobile App:
- ‘AIS for Taxpayer’ is a mobile application provided free of cost by the Income Tax Department.
- The app is aimed to provide a comprehensive view of the AIS/TIS to the taxpayer which displays the information collected from various sources pertaining to the taxpayer.
- Taxpayers can use the mobile app to view their information related to TDS/TCS, interest, dividends, share transactions, tax payments, Income Tax refunds, Other Information (GST Data, Foreign Remittances, etc.) as available in AIS/TIS.
- The taxpayer also has the option and the facility to provide feedback on the information displayed in the app.
To access this mobile app, the taxpayer needs to register on the app by providing PAN number, authenticate with the OTP sent on mobile number & e-mail registered on the e-filing portal. Subsequent to the authentication, the taxpayer can simply set a 4-digit PIN to access the mobile app.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurates Maa Sharda Devi Temple
⇒ Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated Maa Sharda Devi Temple at Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir through video conferencing on 22 March 2023.
» The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the architecture and construction of this temple has been done according to mythological scriptures under the aegis of Sharda Peeth.
- The idol of Sharda Maa is donated by the Sringeri Math.
- The reconstruction of Maa Sharda’s temple in Kupwara is a necessary and important step in the direction of discovery of Sharda-civilization and promotion of Sharda-script.
- Sharda script is the original script of our Kashmir, which has been named after the name of Maa Sharda.
- This is one of the Mahashakti Peeths and according to religious beliefs, the right hand of Maa Sati fell here.
International
2nd Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Negotiating Round
⇒ An Inter-Ministerial delegation from India led by Department of Commerce participated in the second Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) negotiating round in Bali, Indonesia from March 13-19, 2023.
Negotiators from 13 other countries, including, the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam also participated in the Bali negotiating round.
During the Bali Round, discussions covered all the four pillars of the IPEF:
- Trade (Pillar I)
- Supply Chains (Pillar II)
- Clean Economy (Pillar III), and
- Fair Economy (Taxation & Anticorruption) – (Pillar IV)
India participated in the discussions related to Pillars II to IV.
Building on the discussions that took place during the previous rounds:
First IPEF Round held in Brisbane, Australia, in December 10-15, 2022, and the Special negotiating round held in New Delhi, India from February 8-11, 2023, in Bali, IPEF Partners undertook in-depth text-based discussions and conducted follow-up conversations as they work to advance a shared vision for an open, connected, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
» During the negotiations, the Chief Negotiator of India reiterated India’s belief that IPEF will deepen the economic engagement and promote inclusive development through enhancement in trade and investment in the region. On the side-lines of the negotiating round, the Chief Negotiator and the Pillar Leads also held bilateral meetings with IPEF countries and other concerned stakeholders.
» Representatives of interested Indian companies also participated in the Stakeholders engagement session and Business Forum, organized on the margins of the IPEF Bali Round on 17 and 18 March 2023 respectively.
IPEF Partners have committed to an aggressive negotiating schedule throughout 2023 with the objective of realizing concrete benefits to enhance a shared vision for economic competitiveness and prosperity in their respective economies.
Communication Ministers’ Conclave
⇒ A Communication Ministers’ Conclave was held on 22 March 2023 in New Delhi.
Theme:
The theme of the Communication Ministers’ Conclave was ‘Enabling Innovation in Telecommunications to Ensure Digital Transformation of the Society’.
» During the conclave, Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General, ITU unveiled Coffee Table Book ‘ITU@India’.
Mobile App:
» Shri Vaishnaw and Ms Bogdan-Martin also launched the UN Wayfinder navigational mobile App.
- The App has been developed by C-DOT, to enable users to find their way in various blocks and floors of UN buildings in Geneva.
Key Points:
- The event brought together Communication Ministers and senior Government officials from across the South Asia region, as well as representatives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- The discussions converged on the latest developments in the field of telecommunications, with a focus on emerging technologies, regulatory issues, and the role of governments in driving innovation and growth. They also addressed the challenges faced by the telecommunication sector.
- The Conclave concluded with a commitment to promote a more inclusive and sustainable digital future and to collaborate on a range of issues, including 5G, cybersecurity, and the use of digital technologies for social and economic development.
» Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw also inaugurated the 17th India Telecom 2023.
- Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) organised India Telecom, an exclusive international business expo.
- The main objective of the event was to provide opportunities to startups, MSMEs and Indian telecom stakeholders to meet prospective overseas buyers.
Exhibition titled “An Encounter with Korea Traditional Buddhist Culture in India, the Land of Buddha” inaugurated at NGMA
⇒ The opening ceremony of the special exhibition titled “An Encounter with Korea Traditional Buddhist Culture in India, the Land of Buddha” was held on 22nd March at National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA New Delhi).
The special exhibition was a part of the cultural exchange event held by the Republic of Korea and Korean Cultural Centre India, together with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and India. The special exhibition was organized in New Delhi from March 21 to March 25.
» The exhibition consisted of the media art of Buddhist painting scrolls which are called ‘Gwae Bul’, Korean traditional lanterns of ‘Yeondeunghoe’, and various photo works with the theme of temple stay.
- ‘Gwae Bul’ is a symbol of traditional Korean Buddhist rituals.
- ‘Yeondeunghoe’ is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Korea’s traditional Buddhist culture, which has received international attention, was introduced to India through this exhibition.
» The exhibition was held for about a month until 30th April. From March 22 to March 25, various experience programs were held in the exhibition hall such as painting Korean cultural items, experiencing Korean Buddhist scriptures inking, and making lotus lanterns.
Important Day
Bihar Diwas 2023
⇒ Bihar Diwas is celebrated every year on 22 March.
Bihar Diwas 2023 was observed from March 22 to 24, 2023. This year, the state of Bihar completed 111 years of existence.
- The events on the occasion of Bihar Diwas provide a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Bihar. It is an opportunity for the people to celebrate the formation of the state.
Theme:
The theme of Bihar Diwas 2023 was “Yuva Shakti Bihar Ki Pragati,” which translates to “Progress of Bihar through Youth Power.” The theme highlights the crucial role that the youth of Bihar plays in driving the state’s growth and development.
History:
- Bihar Day, also referred to as Bihar Diwas, commemorates the formation of Bihar and Odisha as separate states on March 22, 1912.
- Prior to its formation, the region was part of the larger Bengal Province that included present-day West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Odisha and Bangladesh.