Nation set to roll out E-Way Bill w.e.f, 1st April 2018
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As the country prepares for the nationwide mandatory rollout of the e-way bill system for inter-state movement of goods from April 1 under the goods and services tax (GST) regime, Karnataka will be an exception having notified the e-way bill for both inter-state as well as intra-state movement of goods.
Karnataka was the first state to operationalise the e-way bill system in September 2017, using the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure available with the state.
About E-way bill
An e-way bill is mandatory for movement of goods worth more than Rs 50,000. When goods are transported for less than 10 km within a state, the supplier or the transporter need not furnish details on the GST portal.
The e-way bill mechanism has been introduced in the GST regime to regulate tax evasion loopholes. Tax evasion was one of the reasons cited by the government for the fall in revenue collection in October 2017.
Are there concerns from industry?
Trade and industry have raised concerns about the system being a possible route for the re-emergence of supply chain bottlenecks, and discretionary power to tax officials. The industry views the e-way bill as a system that will check tax evasion to some extent, but may not be able to stop it completely. Also, it adds another layer of compliances for GST payers and, in case of technical glitches, may result in supply chain bottlenecks.
Diplomatic Tussle between India and Pakistan
India and Pakistan have agreed to solve the diplomatic tussle over the allegations of harassment of the diplomats in each other’s countries. The two countries have mutually decided to resolve matters as per the 1992 code of conduct (COC) ensuring the diplomats and their families are not harassed.
1992 Code of Conduct
As per the 1992 code of conduct, the two countries would ensure “smooth and unhindered functioning of their diplomatic and consular officials in conformity with recognized norms of international law and practice.”
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- The two governments will also ensure that there is “no violation of the privileges and immunities of their diplomatic and consular officials” and there should be “no offences against their dignity and person”.
- It also states that intrusive and aggressive surveillance and actions such as verbal and physical harassment, disconnecting of telephone lines, threatening telephone calls, pursuit in cars and unauthorised entry into residences shall not be resorted to.
- The diplomatic ties of India and Pakistan took a hit over the harassment of the diplomats in each other’s countries. Both the countries have accused each other of harassing and intimidating their diplomats
Interstitium: The latest organ discovered in human body
Scientists have discovered a new organ in the human body which they have dubbed the ‘interstitium’.
What is Interstitium?
The new organ is known as the Interstitium and it is found everywhere in our bodies, acting as a shock absorber in all places where tissues are moved or subjected to force.
- It lies beneath the top layer of skin, but is also in tissue layers lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels, and muscles. The organ is a network of interconnected, fluid-filled spaces all over the body.
- Scientists say, it may even be one of the largest organs in the body. The organ acts like a shock absorber in all places where tissues are moved or subjected to force.
WHAT IS THE ORGAN MADE OF?
The organ is a network of interconnected, fluid-filled spaces all over the body and is made up of both strong (collagen) and flexible (elastin) connective tissue proteins, with interstitial fluid moving throughout.
Functions of the organ:
- Interstitial spaces are organized by a collagen “mesh”, can shrink, expand, and “may thus serve as shock absorbers.”
- These “dynamically compressible and distensible sinuses” act as thoroughfares to transport critical fluids within organs and around the body.
- The Interstitium plays an important role in carrying lymph, the clear fluid that also travels through lymphatic vessels and supports immunity.
Importance of the discovery:
The discovery of the fluid ‘highway’ could help to explain how cancer spreads in the body, and pave the way for new ways to detect and treat the disease.
