Day after GST rollout: Wholesale and retail traders struggle as confusion reigns in Jalandhar

GST rollout: Both retail and wholesale markets bore a near deserted look with buyers and sellers trying to comprehend the new tax system and its ramification on the prices and the accompanying procedure

At several big retail chain stores, no items were sold in the absence of changes in the billing system. (Representational)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is addressing the media on 7th Pay Commission. Here are the highlights:

7th Pay Commission: The government had, in July last year, constituted a committee under Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa to review the recommendations on allowances. The Union Cabinet will take a decision today.

 7th Pay Commission: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at a press conference in New Delhi

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is leading and managing the GST launch.

Opposition has suggested delaying the GST launch, contending that the official machinery isn't ready to implement the reform.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is leading and managing the GST launch.

Trinamool Congress To Skip Midnight GST Launch, Congress Has Problems With Invite

For the GST launch, the government has invited all members of Parliament and chief ministers and has requested former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda to join PM Modi and the President at the high table. 

The Congress is demanding that the President launch the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

 The Congress is demanding that the President launch the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

7th Pay Commission LIVE updates: Big day for 47 lakh staff at Centre, Modi government may announce hike in Cabinet meet today

People who are directly or indirectly connected to 7th Pay Commission benefits are keeping a close eye on the meet.

The Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa-led Committee on Allowances has already submitted its report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

7th pay commission allowance news 2017 Live Updates: It’s a big day today for nearly 47 lakh Central government employees as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday returned home after concluding his three-nation tour of Portugal, the US and the Netherlands and reportedly a Cabinet meeting may take place to take up the proposal to hike in HRA and other allowances with respect to 7th Pay Commission. According to various media reports, this is the last Cabinet meet of this month of the Narendra Modi led Central government. People who are directly or indirectly connected to 7th Pay Commission benefits are keeping a close eye on the meet to know what transpires in the Cabinet meet in terms of their HRA and allowances.
Here are all the 7th Pay Commission allowance news 2017 LIVE UPDATES and other developments:-
1:48 PM It is important to know that while recommendations of the 7th CPC on pay and pension were implemented with the approval of the Cabinet, allowances continued to be paid at old rates.
1:15 PM The 7th pay commission had recommended that the rate of HRA be revised to 27 per cent, 18 per cent and 9 per cent when DA crosses 50 per cent, and further revised to 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent when DA crosses 100 per cent. With regard to allowances, employee unions have demanded HRA at the rate of 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent.
1:00 PM The 7th Pay Commission had recommended HRA too be fixed at 24%, 16% and 8% depending on the cities where employees are based. However, a number of employees were not happy with this hike and demanded 30%, 24% and 16% HRA bracket.
12:38 PM The Committee on Allowances that Arun Jaitley had set up last year under leadership of Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa submitted its reported earlier this year and suggested that HRA to be fixed at between 25% and 27%
12:20 PM Central government employees are seeking revised allowances including HRA.

11:55 AM  Lavasa Committee had suggested modifications in some allowances applicable universally to all employees and also for those in specific categories, including railways and defence, after examining the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.
11:20 AM The Lavasa Committee has suggested modifications in some allowances applicable universally to all employees.
The Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa-led Committee on Allowances was constituted by the government to examine the 7th CPC recommendations on allowances.
11:05 AM The Union Cabinet may fix HRA rates between recommendations of AK Mathur panel and 6th CPC/existing, most likely at 27 per cent.
11:00 AM: The Union Finance Ministry in a statement had confirmed that modifications have been suggested in some allowances.

Planning to travel after July 1? Everything you need to know about post-GST fares

Are you planning your holidays in July? Be ready to shell out more if you are travelling by train in an AC coach or by air in business class as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is set to roll out on July 1. Travel for aam aadmi, however, will not get expensive.

AC and first-class train travel will become a little expensive after the GST because service tax is set to increase from 4.5 per cent to 5 per cent.

Travelling on Rajdhani, Shatabdi may be much more exciting from October: Here's why

Travelling on Rajdhani, Shatabdi may be much more exciting from October: Here's why

 

 

Trolley service for catering, polite uniformed staff and on-board entertainment are some of the changes slated to be introduced in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains from October this year.
Aiming at enhancing the experience of passengers travelling by these premier trains, the Indian Railways has undertaken a complete makeover exercise in 30 trains - 15 Rajdhani and 15 Shatabdi - at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore.

Targeting the festive season which begins from October, railways have launched a three-month programme under Project Swarn (gold) to refurbish coach interiors, improving toilets and cleanliness in coaches.
There have been complaints pertaining to catering, punctuality, toilet cleanliness and quality of linen among others in these trains.
It has been decided to improve services in these premier trains significantly and accordingly the Project Swarn has been launched with a three-month timeline, said a Railway Ministry official involved with the project.
The project also envisages strengthening of security system in trains with adequate escort personnel by RPF.

Rajdhani Express meant for Mumbai, Howrah, Patna, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar are among the 15 Rajdhani trains selected for service upgradation.
Shatabdi trains of Howrah-Puri, New Delhi-Chandigarh, New Delhi-Kanpur, Howrah-Ranchi, Anand Vihar-Kathgodam are among the 15 trains selected for the makeover exercise.
Steps will be taken for improving punctuality by reducing delays in premier trains, he said.
The catering will be also a focus area beside cleanliness.
The staff will be specifically trained on hygiene and use of trolley for serving food in premier services as part of the makeover exercise.
A new uniform has been designed for staff in the premier trains.
Passengers will be offered films, serials and music among other facilities as an on-board entertainment package.