NEWS:GST Council approves sweeping rate cuts across sectors aiming to boost consumption and simplify tax regime from September 22
GS-3 economy
- The GST Council authorized sweeping changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
- The GST rate cuts span nearly every sector, with very few items becoming more expensive.
- The government estimates the revenue implication of these GST rate cuts to be around ₹48,000 crore a year.
- The GST Council decided to do away with the compensation cess.
- The new GST 2.0 will be effective from September 22.
GST council
The GST Council is the key decision-making body for Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. It is a constitutional body created under Article 279A of the Constitution, inserted by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
Composition of GST Council
- Chairperson – Union Finance Minister.
- Members – Union Minister of State for Finance, and Finance Ministers (or other nominated ministers) of all States & UTs with legislatures.
Voting in GST Council
- Centre’s weightage: 1/3rd of total votes.
- States’ weightage: 2/3rd of total votes (all states and UTs with legislatures together).
- A decision requires at least 75% of weighted votes.
Functions of GST Council
- Recommend on important aspects of GST, including:
- Taxes, cesses, and surcharges to be subsumed.
- Goods and services exempted from GST.
- Model GST laws, principles of levy, and apportionment.
- Threshold limits of turnover for exemption.
- Rates including floor rates with bands.
- Special provisions for North-Eastern and hilly states.
- Mechanism for dispute resolution between Centre and States.
NEWS:PM Modi cancels address at UNGA General Debate in the US
GS-2 international relation
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the General Debate at the annual high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly later this month
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
📌 Background
- Established in 1945 under the UN Charter.
- It is the deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the United Nations.
- Comprises all 193 UN member states (each having one vote).
📌 Functions & Powers (Article 10–22 of UN Charter)
- Deliberative Role – Discusses and makes recommendations on matters of international peace, security, and cooperation.
- Elections – Elects non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), members of the ECOSOC, judges of the ICJ, and appoints the UN Secretary-General (on Security Council’s recommendation).
- Budgetary Functions – Approves the UN budget and determines member contributions.
- International Law & Governance – Initiates studies and makes recommendations to promote international law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.
- Peace & Security – While UNSC has primary responsibility, UNGA can recommend collective measures under the “Uniting for Peace” resolution (1950) if UNSC is deadlocked.
📌 Sessions
- Meets annually in September (High-Level General Debate) in New York.
- Special and emergency sessions may also be convened.
NEWS:Supreme Court alarmed by illegal Himalayan deforestation amid floods demands action NHAI faces scrutiny over tunnel safety
- The Supreme Court expressed concern over illegal felling of trees in the Himalayan forests, observing potential deforestation.
- The court voiced anguish about floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab, linking them to illegal logging.
- Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta assured the court he would address the issue with the Environment Secretary.
- The court issued notice to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) regarding dangerous tunnels between Chandigarh and Manali during floods.
- The Supreme Court highlighted media visuals showing logs in floodwaters, indicating ongoing illegal logging in ecologically sensitive areas.
- The court emphasized the need for development that doesn’t compromise the environment and human lives, referencing the inundation of villages in Punjab.
- The petition seeks immediate action plans, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) enquiry, and ecological investigations to protect the Himalayan ecology.
- The court acknowledged the repetitive occurrence of landslides and floods in ecologically sensitive areas, listing the case for further hearing in two weeks.
Special Investigation Team (SIT)
🔹 What is SIT?
- A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is a committee of experts, investigators, and senior officers formed to probe serious crimes or cases of national or public importance.
- It is not a permanent statutory body, but an ad hoc mechanism constituted for specific cases.
🔹 Who Constitutes an SIT?
- Supreme Court or High Courts: Often direct the formation of an SIT to ensure impartial investigation (e.g., Gujarat riots case, coal scam, black money probe).
- Union or State Governments: May also set up SITs under CrPC (Section 173) for sensitive cases.
🔹 Why SIT is Formed?
- To ensure independent and unbiased investigation, especially when:
- Local police investigation is under suspicion.
- Case involves powerful persons or political interests.
- Issue has national/international ramifications.
- Helps maintain public trust in justice delivery.
NEWS:Antibiotic overuse in India linked to mental health decline impacting gut microbiota and neurological well-being demanding urgent public health interventions
GS-3 science and technology
- Overuse of antibiotics in India is exacerbating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), leading to an estimated 267,000 fatalities in 2021.
- Research indicates a strong link between gut microbiota disruption caused by antibiotics and increased risks of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.
- Nearly half of all antibiotics consumed in India are unapproved formulations, worsening both AMR and damage to gut microbial diversity.
- Public health interventions and regulatory reforms are needed to address the crisis, including stricter antibiotic dispensation controls and increased public awareness.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites to survive and grow despite the presence of drugs that are meant to kill or inhibit them. It makes standard treatments ineffective, leading to persistent infections, longer illnesses, higher medical costs, and increased mortality.
🔹 Causes of AMR
- Overuse & Misuse of Antibiotics
- Unnecessary prescriptions and self-medication.
- Incomplete Treatment
- Not completing the full course of antibiotics.
- Agricultural Use
- Antibiotics used in livestock and poultry as growth promoters.
- Poor Infection Control
- Hospital-acquired infections and poor sanitation.
- Weak Regulations
- Easy availability of antibiotics without prescription in many countries.
Mains mock Question
“The GST Council is often hailed as a shining example of cooperative federalism, yet recent fiscal tensions between the Centre and States highlight its limitations. Critically examine the role of the GST Council in balancing uniformity with fiscal autonomy of states.”
