International Spice Conference
13-Feb-2017: 2nd International Spice Conference held in Thiruvananthapuram.
Second International Spice Conference was held at Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.
The three days conference was organised by All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) in association with the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). The theme of the conference was “21st Century Spice Industry-Disrupt or be Disrupted”.
The aim of the conference was to deliberate on effective strategies and innovative technologies to improve the livelihood of spice farmers. Besides it also discussed measures to address spice industry challenges, demand supply disparity, food safety concern and foster sustainable growth. Over 800 delegates, including 250 delegates from foreign countries had taken part in the conference.
Indian Seed Congress
13-Feb-2017: Indian Seed Congress 2017 inaugurated in Kolkata.
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh spoke about National Farmer Policy of the Union Government on the inaugural function of Indian Seed Congress – 2017 and said that the objective of this policy is to accelerate agricultural output, develop infrastructural facilities in the villages, promote value addition, expedite the growth of Agro-business, create employment in the rural areas, ensuring better livelihood status of the farmers and agriculture workers and their families, discourage migration to urban areas and face the challenges emerging out of economic liberalization and globalization.
The theme of Seed Congress is “Seed of Joy” which is very much in line with vision of this government to bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of farmers by doubling their farm income by 2022.
On account of the strategic measures of this government, there has been enhancement in the availability of certified/quality seeds. The availability of certified / quality seeds in the country has increased from less than 40 lakh quintal during decade of 60 to 370 lakh quintal in 2015-16. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare has asked the State Governments to prepare variety wise seed rolling plants to meet year wise, season wise requirements of quality seeds. This seed rolling plant will fulfil the double purpose of improving the Seed replacement rate along with Variety replacement rate so that sustainable agricultural production and productivity could be ensured.
Agriculture Minister further said that Indian Seed Market is growing fast and during the recent past, hybrid seed market of vegetables and cereals has shown remarkable growth. Indian Seed Industry can emerge as a prominent industry for supplying seeds in international markets. India has great potentiality to produce hybrid seeds specially costly vegetable seeds on cheap rates as compared to the seeds of the other countries. Apart from vegetables, the hybrid seeds of maize, paddy, pearl millet and cotton may be exported to SEI and African countries in magnitude.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is continuously attempting to streamline the regulatory framework in order to make it transparent, substantial and progressive. The Minister assured the representatives present that Central Government is making all out efforts to help them to grow even more, both domestically and in the international arena.
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vikas Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Soil Health Scheme, Neem Coated Urea and E-National Agriculture Mandi Scheme’s aim to bring improvement in crop productivity as well as income of the farmers.
The opportunities of employment have been created for the skilled men and women and the girls in the field of Agri-warehousing, cold chain, supply chain, dairy, poultry, meat, fisheries, horticulture, agriculture mechanization as well as micro irrigation. Skill India Mission is being implemented for imparting opportunities as well as skills to the rural youth in rural areas.
Agriculture Minister placed emphasis on 7 points programmes laid down by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to make the income of the farmers double. The details thereof are as follow:
Big focus on irrigation with large budgets, with the aim of “per drop-more crop”
Provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of each field
Large investments in warehousing and cold chains to prevent post-harvest crop losses
Promotion of value addition through food processing
Creation of a national farm market, removing distortions and e-platform across 585 stations
Introduction of a new crop insurance scheme to mitigate risks at affordable cost
Promotion of ancillary activities like poultry, beekeeping and fisheries.
Operation Clean Money (Swachh Dhan Abhiyan)
31-Jan-2017: Income Tax Department (ITD) launches Operation Clean Money
Income Tax Department (ITD) has initiated Operation Clean Money. Initial phase of the operation involves e-verification of large cash deposits made during 9th November to 30th December 2016. Data analytics has been used for comparing the demonetisation data with information in ITD databases. In the first batch, around 18 lakh persons have been identified in whose case, cash transactions do not appear to be in line with the tax payer’s profile.
Data analytics will be used to select cases for verification, based on approved risk criteria. If the case is selected for verification, request for additional information and its response will also be communicated electronically. The information on the online portal will be dynamic getting updated on receipt of new information, response and data analytics.
The response of taxpayer will be assessed against available information. In case explanation of source of cash is found justified, the verification will be closed without any need to visit Income Tax Office. The verification will also be closed if the cash deposit is declared under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY).
The taxpayers covered in this phase should submit their response on the portal within 10 days in order to avoid any notice from the ITD and enforcement actions under the Income-tax Act as also other applicable laws.