54th GST Council Meeting
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 54th Council meeting. It was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers of Goa and Meghalaya, Finance Ministers of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana and senior officers of Central Governments.
- In other words, it was decided in the GST Council meeting that for now there is no 18% tax on transactions up to Rs.2000. Nirmala Sitharaman has decided to send a fitment committee to discuss the proposal of 18% tax on digital transactions up to Rs.2000.
- Similarly, GST on helicopters operated for religious purposes has been reduced from 18 percent to 5 percent. Similarly, reduction of GST on health insurance premiums or exemption of senior citizens from paying the GST was discussed.
- The 20th India-US joint military exercise Yuth Abhyas-2024 began today at the Mahajan Shooting Range in Rajasthan. The training will be held till September 22. Since 2004, this exercise has been held alternately in India and USA every year.
- 600 soldiers from various units including the Rajput Brigade from the Indian side have participated in this exercise. About 600 soldiers from the US Army's Alaska-based regiments participated.
- Under Article 7 of the UN Charter, the exercise aims to enhance bilateral joint military capabilities to carry out counter-terrorism operations.
- In a major boost to self-reliant India, the Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 240 AL-31FP aero engines for SU-30 MKI aircraft at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore.
- The MoU was signed by senior officials of the Ministry of Defense and HAL in the presence of Defense Secretary Mr. Krithar Aramane and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary on September 09, 2024 in New Delhi.
- These aeroengines will be manufactured by HAL's Coraput division. It is also expected that the Su-30 will fulfill the requirement of the Indian Air Force to maintain the operational capability of the Navy for the country's defense readiness. HAL will deliver 30 aero engines per year as per the contract schedule. Delivery of all 240 engines will be completed over the next eight years.
- Mr. Rajesh Verma, a 1987 batch officer of the Indian Civil Service, Odisha cadre, today took charge as the new full-time Chairman of Air Quality Management Authority for Capital Delhi Region and its Adjacent Areas.
- Mr. Verma will hold office for a period of three years from the date of his appointment or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He has more than three and a half decades of experience and expertise in public administration.
