May, 2017: GST Council fixes rates for services

The GST Council fixed the rate of tax for goods and services under the new indirect tax regime. With regard to the GST on services, the council broadly agreed on 4 tax brackets having 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% of tax instead of the current uniform rate.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that all services have been fitted into four different rates, which are 5%, 12%, the standard 18% and the luxury rate of 28%, Transport services (Railways, air transport) will be under the 5% category since the main input used for such services are petroleum which is outside the GST Net. Hotels and lodges charging rent below Rs. 1000 are exempted under the GST.

May, 2017: Big B, Anushka to lead Modi govt’s ‘Darwaza Band’ campaign to discourage open defecation

The centre launched an aggressive new campaign titled 'Darwaza Band' to promote toilet use and freedom from open defecation across the country's villages. Darwaza Band stands for shutting the door on open defecation. The campaign produced by the MDWS (Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation) under Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in the presence of iconic actor Amitabh Bachchan and Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Narendra Singh Tomar.