1.DIN System of CBIC

Why in News?

• The Documentation Identification Number (DIN) system of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) will come into existence from 8th November 2019.

Documentation Identification Number (DIN) system:

• From now on, any CBIC communication will have to have a Documentation Identification Number.
• The government has already executed the DIN system in the direct tax administration.
• This step is to further the government’s objectives of bringing transparency and accountability in the indirect tax administration also, through the widespread use of information technology.
• To begin with, in the indirect tax administration, the DIN would be used for search authorisation, summons, arrest memo, inspection notices and letters issued in the course of any enquiry.
• From now onwards, any communication from GST or Custom or Central Excise department without a computer-generated DIN, would be treated as invalid and shall be non-est in law or deemed to be as if it has never been issued.
• It would also provide the taxpayer a digital facility to verify any communications.
• Now all such specified communications with DIN would be verifiable on the online portal cbicddm.gov.in.

Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC):

• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• The CBIC is the apex body for administering the levy and collection of indirect taxes of the Union of India.
• It deals with the tasks of formulation of policy concerning levy and collection of Customs, Central Excise duties, Central Goods & Services Tax and IGST, prevention of smuggling and administration of matters relating to Customs, Central Excise, Central Goods & Services Tax, IGST and Narcotics to the extent under CBIC’s purview.
• It is the administrative authority for its subordinate organizations, including Custom Houses, Central Excise and Central GST Commissionerate’s and the Central Revenues Control Laboratory.

Functions of the CBIC:

1.Regulatory Functions include:

• Levy and collection of Customs and Central Excise duties, CGST & IGST
• Registration and monitoring of units manufacturing excisable goods and service providers
• Receipt and scrutiny of declarations and returns filed with the department

2.Service Functions include:

• Dissemination of information on law and procedures through electronic and print media
• Enabling filing of declarations, returns and claims through online services.
• Providing information on the status of processing of declarations, returns and claims

2.Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’

Why in News?

• India Navy and Indonesian navy hold Joint Naval Exercise “Samudra Shakti” In Bay Of Bengal.

Ex. Samudra Shakti:

• It is a joint exercise between Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy.
• The joint exercises include manoeuvres, Surface Warfare exercises, Air Defence exercises, Weapon firing drills, Helicopter Operations and Boarding Operations.
• The Harbour Phase included professional interactions in the form of Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), cross deck visits, simulator drills, planning conferences, sports fixtures and social interactions.

3.Odd-Even Rule in Delhi 2019

Why in News?

• The odd-even scheme was launched by the Delhi Government on November 4 to combat the hazardous smog that has enveloped the national capital.
• The scheme has been launched for 12 days from November 4-15, 2019.

Highlights:

• The first day of the odd-even rule reportedly resulted in a major dip in the air pollution levels in Delhi.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that the odd-even scheme teamed up with high wind speed brought down the air pollution in Delhi by almost 82 percent. Both PM10 and PM2.5 levels fell drastically by 6 pm on November 4.
• Under the odd-even rule, only vehicles with odd last digit registration numbers will ply on the roads on odd days and vehicles with even last digit registration numbers will be allowed on the roads on the even days.
• The odd-even scheme will not be applicable on November 11 and November 12 to commemorate the 550^th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
• The odd-even scheme has been implemented in Delhi to fight air pollution after a gap of almost three years.
• The National Capital has been reeling with ‘severe plus’ air quality level since the past few days.

Exemptions:

• The odd-even rule will not apply for two-wheelers, women drivers alone or with a child under the age of 12 years.
• The private vehicles transporting school children in uniform during school time and vehicles of persons with physical disabilities will also be exempted from the odd-even rule.
• The odd-even exemption list also includes the vehicles of VVIPs/VIPs- the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker, State Governors, Union Ministers, Opposition Leaders in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Chief Ministers of states and UTS and Supreme Court Judges.

4.SPG Protection

Why in News?

• The Gandhi family members will be without SPG cover for the first time after 28 years.
• The Special Protection Group (SPG) security cover provided to Gandhi family members including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi was withdrawn by the Union Government on November 8, 2019.

Background:

• Rahul Gandhi was criticized, in many instances, for not letting SPG accompany him in foreign visits. According to reports, out of Gandhi’s 156 abroad trips, he did not take the SPG with him for 143 trips.
• Then in October 2019, the government made it mandatory for the SPG personnel to accompany Gandhi’s on all their trips at all times, even during their personal trips.
• The SPG security cover for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was removed similarly in August 2019 after assessments indicated reduced threat perceptions. He has also been given Z-plus category security cover.
• The decision was taken after getting the feedback from all relevant agencies at the highest-level security review meeting of the Home Ministry.
• The SPG security cover is reviewed every year after assessing all the possible threats, as per sources.

SPG Security Cover:

• The special protection group was constituted on April 8, 1985 as the highest tier of security.
• The decision to constitute the group was taken after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984.
• Initially, the SPG was raised to provide proximate security to the Indian Prime Minister and their immediate family members.
• The former Prime Ministers, their immediate family members and the family members of the Prime Minister can choose to decline the SPG security.
• The SPG Act was amended in 1991 to provide security cover to former Prime Ministers and their immediate families after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1992.

Z Plus Security:

• The Z plus security cover includes protection by National Security Guard commandos, CRPF personnel, ITBP and the Delhi police.
• Those who fall under the Z plus security category are provided with a security cover comprising at least 55 personnel and one escort car.