With the successful landing of India’s Chandrayaan 3 on the Moon’s South Pole, the nation has achieved a significant milestone, solidifying its position as the fourth country to accomplish such a feat. India’s historic landing not only marks its place alongside Russia, the U.S., and China as lunar explorers but also makes it the first to land on the Moon’s South Pole. This achievement underlines India’s emergence as a global space superpower.

Addressing the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Prime Minister Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to the scientists, recognizing the groundbreaking accomplishment. He emphasized that this success is not just a triumph for India alone, but a shared achievement for all of humanity. Prime Minister Modi noted that the successful lunar landing marks the beginning of a new era for India, symbolizing the dawn of a resurgent nation.

Shifting focus from the celestial to the scholastic, India’s Ministry of Education has orchestrated a transformative reform in the educational landscape. The unveiling of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for school education marks a turning point that promises greater flexibility, student agency, and cultural inclusivity. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s announcement of aligning textbooks with the NCF 2023 underscores a forward-looking approach that places students at the heart of the learning experience.

This visionary framework not only advocates for a richer academic experience but also recognizes the importance of holistic assessment. By shifting from traditional single-exam assessments to a more comprehensive and continuous evaluation system, India aims to foster genuine understanding, critical thinking, and a love for learning among its students.

Concurrently, a published report presents a projection of India’s economic growth accelerating to 8.5% in the April-June period of the current fiscal year. This considerable upswing exceeding the 6.1% growth rate was observed in the preceding January-March quarter. The report attributes this swift expansion to a supportive foundation and the resilient recovery of the services sector. Despite surpassing the RBI’s prediction of 8.1%, Icra’s chief economist, Aditi Nayar, exercised prudence by foreseeing potential challenges in the latter half of the fiscal year that could moderate this hopeful trajectory.

In both space exploration, economic and educational reforms, India is taking remarkable strides. These accomplishments not only elevate the nation’s stature on the global stage but also contribute to a brighter and more promising future for its citizens.

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Pallabi Boruah

Editor

India’s tax landscape is showing positive signs of growth and participation, as highlighted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In the fiscal year 2022-23, 2.24 crore individuals out of the total 7.4 crore taxpayers diligently fulfilled their tax obligations, contributing to the nation’s progress. While nearly 5.16 crore return filers declared zero tax liability, it is important to note that the number of return filers increased by 6.18% in FY23, indicating a willingness to participate in the tax system.

Over the last four years, the number of individuals filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) has steadily risen, showcasing a positive trend in tax compliance. In FY22, more than 6.94 crore returns were filed, and it is encouraging to see that even with a substantial 5.05 crore showing zero tax liability, taxpayers are actively engaging with the system.

The growth in India’s gross direct tax collection by 20.33% to over ₹19.68 lakh crore in FY23 is a testament to the nation’s economic resilience and strong revenue generation. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Nitin Gupta’s statement during the Income Tax Day event further bolsters the positive outlook, as he mentioned that 7% of the assesses who filed tax returns this year are new taxpayers. The anticipated increase in new taxpayers by July 31 is a promising sign of expanding the taxpayer base.

Additionally, the recent launch of the ‘CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal’ by Union Minister Amit Shah is making a positive impact. Around 7 lakh investors have already registered on the platform, seeking refunds totalling more than ₹150 crore from Sahara Group’s cooperative societies. This proactive approach follows a Supreme Court order to transfer ₹5,000 crore from Sahara-Sebi refund account to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS), showing the government’s commitment to addressing investor concerns.

The Union minister also hailed the initiation of the refund process to the investors as a shining example that showcases how any task undertaken proactively can successfully resolve even the most intricate challenges.

In conclusion, India’s tax system is witnessing growth and improvement, with an increasing number of taxpayers participating in the system. The rise in tax collections and the government’s proactive approach to resolving refund issues demonstrate a positive outlook for the nation’s fiscal health and economic progress.

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Pallabi Boruah

Editor

India is making significant strides on the global stage, tackling critical issues and showcasing its potential for growth and progress. Two recent developments have captured attention: the country’s efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco consumption and its ambitious infrastructure development plans. These endeavours not only reflect India’s commitment to public health and economic advancement but also present opportunities for international collaboration and investment.

Tobacco consumption remains a grave concern worldwide, causing millions of preventable deaths and disabilities each year. India, as the second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco, has taken a significant step towards combating this health crisis. The Union Health Ministry has mandated anti-tobacco warning messages on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, ensuring that online content publishers comply with the new rules. This move aligns with India’s commitment to spreading awareness about the deadly effects of tobacco and marks an important milestone in the country’s fight against tobacco addiction.

In addition to its efforts to promote public health, India is also making significant investments in infrastructure development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently announced a record-breaking USD 125 billion investment in various infrastructure projects. PM Modi emphasized that these projects not only have the potential to strengthen India’s growth story but also provide unlimited opportunities for the American corporate community. With India’s emergence as a global leader, the Prime Minister urged American businesses to seize the advantage and become fast movers in this dynamic landscape.

The India-US partnership, according to PM Modi, goes beyond convenience. It is rooted in shared convictions, commitments, and compassion. The groundwork for collaboration between the two nations has been laid by their respective governments, and now the responsibility lies with the corporate sector to embrace the immense possibilities for mutual prosperity. PM Modi’s call to business leaders and philanthropists from both countries highlights the immense potential for cooperation, economic growth, and social impact that this partnership holds.

India’s ongoing initiatives in tobacco awareness and infrastructure development showcase the country’s determination to address critical issues and create a path towards progress. These efforts not only benefit the nation’s citizens but also present opportunities for global stakeholders to contribute to India’s growth story. The collaborative approach between India and the United States sets a positive precedent for international cooperation and paves the way for inclusive development.

As India emerges as a global superpower, these recent developments reflect the nation’s commitment to the welfare of its people and its determination to create a prosperous and sustainable future. With the combined efforts of governments, businesses, and individuals, India is poised to continue its upward trajectory, offering opportunities for global engagement and transformative change.

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Pallabi Boruah

Editor

Let’s start off with something related to our health, shall we? For those of you who choose diet coke or zero-calorie soda as a means to control your weight, there is some concerning information. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released new guidelines that highlight the potential drawbacks of sweeteners such as aspartame and stevia. Contrary to their presumed benefits for weight loss, these sweeteners can actually have detrimental effects on health. They have been found to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. That’s really alarming!

In light of the aforementioned guidelines, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stated that its scientific panel is currently conducting a comprehensive examination of the matter. There has been a notable increase in the sales of non-sugar sweeteners and products utilizing such sweeteners in India. Renowned brands like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kellogg’s, and Dabur, offering products like Diet Coke, Special K, Pepsi Black, have gained significant popularity among individuals pursuing a healthy lifestyle and aiming to reduce their sugar intake. So, there’s something you need to think about. Maybe it’s time to make some natural changes into your food instead of relying on preservatives, don’t you agree?

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against five e-commerce platforms for the sale of seat belt alarm stopper clips. The consumer body has directed these online retailers to remove the listings of such clips from their websites. The CCPA discovered that these clips were being openly sold on various e-commerce platforms. Following an investigation, the authority issued orders to Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Shopclues, and Meesho, instructing them to remove the listings of seat belt alarm stopper clips.

That’s a very good step indeed. However, as consumers, we need to be aware and on the lookout for such violations too.

Germany has entered a state of recession as confirmed by the country’s statistical office, as its economy contracted for the second consecutive quarter in the first three months of 2023. During this period, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Europe’s largest economy declined by 0.3 percent. This comes after a decrease of 0.5 percent in Germany during the final quarter of 2022. In comparison, India continues to maintain its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The overall growth remains strong, with an estimated 6.9 percent growth for the entire year, and the real GDP growing by 7.7 percent year-on-year during the initial three quarters of the fiscal year 2022/23.  Moreover, India’s economy is expected to grow by 6.7 per cent in the calendar year 2024.  

I hope you have loved reading the one subject editorial and will continue to support us in bringing the best, interesting and informative articles for your perusal. In the meantime, keep reading the articles we have brought you this month. We discuss Personal Accident Insurance, a review on Small Wind Turbine for Home and many more. Do share your thoughts at info@consumer-voice.org.

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