Current Affairs Nov 2017 - Committees

1 - A seven-member committee headed by Environment Secretary constituted to discuss situation arising out of Air Pollution

A seven-member committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was constituted to monitor the short-term and long-term solutions to air pollution. Other members of the committee include Secretary, Science & Technology, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Additional Secretary, Niti Aayog, Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, Chief Secretary, Delhi and Representative of Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

A decision was taken at the meeting to request respective State Governments to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) including control of road and construction dust, garbage burning, control of power plants and industrial emissions etc.

2 - Constitution of Task Force for drafting a New Direct Tax Legislation

In order to review the Act and to draft a new Direct Tax Law in consonance with economic needs of the country, the Government has constituted a Task Force. Dr. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) will be a permanent Special Invitee in the Task Force.

The committees terms of reference are to draft a new law keeping in mind the prevalent taxation system in other countries, international best practices and economic needs of the country.