NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today said that the new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics are improving tax governance and helping curb tax evasion. This enhances the trust of the taxpayer in the system, which in turn encourages greater tax compliance. Mr. Dhankar was addressing the valedictory session of Induction Training for 76 batch of Indian revenue service-IRS at National Academy of Direct Taxes – NADT in Nagpur today. Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais and Chairman of Central Board of Taxes-CBDT Nitin Gupta were present on this occasion. While highlighting the role of modern technology in the tax administration, the Vice President said, we have moved from a predominantly traditional, paper-based system to a modern, technology-driven ecosystem where information is readily accessible and processes are streamlined for the benefit of both authorities and taxpayers. The Faceless e-assessment system has already brought about a paradigm shift from territorial jurisdiction to dynamic jurisdiction. It has introduced anonymity in income tax assessment and appeals to ensure transparency and accountability. The 76 batch of IRS in the Income Tax Department comprises 58 officers out of which 24 officers are lady officers which comprises 41 per cent of the total batch strength. These officers undergo 16 months of rigorous training in the field of tax administration and transfer pricing along with on-the-job training in the various verticals of the Income Tax Department. The vice president on this occasion facilitated the officer trainees of the 76 batch for their meritorious performance in various subjects like governance laws, business laws, advance accounting and Rajbhasha. Office Trainee Sunita Meena won the award for best performance in this batch along with three gold medals for 3 gold medals for her meritorious performances in various subjects. These IRS Officers are recruited through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Congress today claimed that party’s wave is visible in the north-eastern states. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, protecting the diversity in the north eastern states is the biggest issue there. He alleged that diversity in the north-eastern states on the basis of religion, caste, language and province is under threat today.

BJP leader and Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur attended a meeting with business community in Siliguri today. He also met with representatives of sports organisations after reaching the city in West Bengal this morning. Later in the day, Mr. Thakur will address a public meeting at Garubathan in Kalimpong and after that he will participate in another public meeting at Milan More of Siliguri.

BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah will be campaigning for party candidate in Imphal today. Mr. Shah will be arriving Imphal this afternoon from Tripura on his one day visit to Manipur. He will address a public meeting held at Imphal in which Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, BJP Manipur State President and other leaders of the party will attend. BJP fielded Thounaojam Basantakumar as party candidate in Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency while decided to support Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate in Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency. The INC and like-minded parties are also campaigning for Congress candidate for Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in Manipur. The congress party held four public rallies yesterday in the State and announced that the Congress will bring solution to the ongoing ethnic crisis in the State.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, after decades it will be the first election in which terrorism, separatism, stone pelting, firing from across the border are not the election issues for Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a public meeting at Udhampur today, he said, earlier, even holding Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra or Amarnath Yatra safely were a big concern. Mr Modi said, today the situation has completely changed. He said, today, development is taking place in Jammu and Kashmir and trust is also rising. The Prime Minister said, the time is not far when Assembly Elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir and it will get back the status of a state. Taking a jibe at the opposition parties, he said, these dynastic parties are opposed to development and also to heritage. The Prime Minister said, Ram Mandir was neither an election issue, nor is it nor will be. He said, the struggle for Ram temple is 500 years old, even before BJP was born and even when there was no trace of elections.

Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi has said that the NDA government at the Centre has made the country much more stronger during the past ten years. Addressing an election rally in Rishikesh, Mr Modi said, whenever there has been a weak and unstable government in the country, the enemies have taken advantage and terrorism has spread its roots. Prime Minister said that his government has implemented one rank one pension scheme for soldiers. He said, BJP government at the Centre has also provided made in India bullet proof jackets to the soldiers, saving their lives. Prime Minister said, today, everything from modern rifles to fighter planes and aircraft careers are being made in the country itself. He said, border villages are being developed under BJP government on priority basis. Mr. Modi said, 900 kilometer long highway is also being built to connect Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Prime Minister outlined various government programs aimed at enhancing Uttarakhand’s economic potential and boosting tourism to stimulate job growth. Mr Modi said BJP government has provided tap water connection to 90 percent families of Uttarakhand.

Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh said that we do not discriminate between Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. Addressing BJP’s public meeting in Deotalab Assembly Constituency of Mauganj Rewa, he said, we take everyone along. Referring to the development in Madhya Pradesh, he said that Madhya Pradesh is no longer a sick State, it has become an engine of growth. While mentioning the public welfare schemes of the Central Government, he said that it would take hours to count the schemes brought out by the NDA Government.  He said, earlier, India was at the 11th position in the world in terms of economy, today it is at the 5th position. Mr. Singh added that by the end of 2024, India will be among the top three countries.

Senior Party leader Amit Shah said that the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have always worked in the interest of the poor and farmers. Addressing public meetings in Mandla and Katni in Madhya Pradesh today, he said, as a result, 95 lakh farmers have received Samman Nidhi and the poor are getting free food grains. He appealed to make the BJP alliance win more than four hundred seats. Mr Shah said that the Congress party ruled for 70 years based on casteism, nepotism and corruption but Mr. Modi worked to eliminate casteism, nepotism and corruption from the country. He alleged that the dynastic alliance aims to bring their son, daughter and nephew to power. Mr. Shah slammed former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and said that Congress would have never given a tribal a respectable position. But, Prime Minister Modi has given the representative of the tribal society the highest position in the country. He added that the NDA government has brought the country’s economy from number 11 to number 5 in 10 years. Mr. Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has helped eliminate Naxalism from Madhya Pradesh in a short time. He added, in contrast, Congress being in power for 70 years, could not do anything to contain terrorism. Mentioning the various initiatives of the NDA government on the religious front, he referred to Ram temple, Kashi Vishwanath corridor and Somnath temple.

New Delhi: The Ambassador of Nepal to India, Shankar Prasad Sharma, has called for the Indian business community to consider investing in Nepal and added that New Delhi is the number one place to promote investing in the Himalayan nation. While speaking to the news agency ANI at an "Industry Outreach Meet" organised in New Delhi, the envoy said, "The largest investor in Nepal is India. One-third of the total investment is from India... India is the number one place to promote investing in Nepal." He said that Indian investors should be interested in going to Nepal and investing in the hydropower sector."If they need more skilled people in Nepal, they can bring them from India as there is no requirement for a passport or visa... Nepal has started exporting electricity to India. So, Indian investors should be interested in going to Nepal and investing in the hydropower sector." he said. The envoy invited Indian businessmen to Nepal at the "Industry Outreach Meet" organised here in the national capital, on Thursday, by the Embassy of Nepal in India and PHDCCI India-Nepal Centre. The event is held before Nepal Investment Summit 2024, which will be held on April 28-29 in Kathmandu. About the promising investment opportunities in Nepal, Ambassador Sharma, and Sushil Bhatta, CEO, Investment Board Nepal, made detailed presentations. Showing high interest in Nepal as a natural investment destination from India, the program witnessed the overwhelming participation of leading industry captains and decision-makers from the government.

Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi has said that BJP government has provided tap water connection to 90 percent families of Uttarakhand. Addressing an election rally in Rishikesh, Mr Modi said that his government has implemented one rank one pension scheme for soldiers. He said, the BJP government at the Centre has also provided made in India bullet proof jackets to the soldiers, saving their lives. Prime Minister said, today, everything from modern rifles to fighter planes and aircraft careers are being made in the country itself. He said, border villages are being developed under BJP government on priority basis. Mr. Modi said, nine hundred kilometer long highway is also being built to connect Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Prime Minister said today there is a government in the country which has made India much more stronger during the past ten years.

In IPL Cricket, Punjab Kings will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh today. The match will begin at 7.30 this evening. Yesterday, Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai. Chasing a target of 138, Chennai reached 141 at the loss of three wickets, with 14 balls to spare. Skipper Rithuraj Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 67 runs from 58 balls. Earlier, put in to bat first, Kolkata scored 137 for the loss of nine wickets.

Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that this election of 2024 is a very important election for the 21st century India. Mr Modi was addressing a gathering in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. He said that this is not just an election but a mission to build a new India. Mr Modi said that the BJP government is following the mantra of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas and is giving priority to every city and village of the country. Referring to the development of infrastructure, he said that our government is spending crores of rupees on modern infrastructure in the country. He said, the BJP has given respect to the Dalit-backward-tribal section of the society, which was deprived of even their identity by the previous governments. He said that Congress did not even give the status of freedom fighter to a revolutionary like Govind Guru. It is our government which gave the status of freedom fighter to Govind Guru, he added. He said that our government honoured Tantya Mama and started the Tribal Pride Day for the first time on the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda. Mentioning the success of the country’s foreign policy, he said that once the Congress government used to go to other countries with its complaints. But today the time has changed, big countries of the world, countries at war with each other, come to India to talk about their issues. Seeing this status of our country, the morale of every Indian is boosted, he added.