Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Goa Blog

Goa Blog

Bhakti becomes Goa’’s first International Woman Master

Posted: 13 Oct 2010 08:59 AM PDT

Bhakti Kulkarni has become the first Goan to bag the International Woman Master (IWM) title, awarded by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) at its annual meeting at Khanty Manski (Russia). Bhakti had scored seven norms for IWM in the last two years when it was mandatory to score just three, according to a release by Arvind Aaron, Press Officer, All India Chess Federation.

A player must reach the rating of 2200 to be eligible for the IWM title. Bhakti had crossed that milestone long back and is enjoying a rating of 2294 with the first position in her age group in the Under-18 Asian category. “I consider this as not my destination but one of the stepping stones for my future achievement,” said Bhakti, the brand Ambassador for Goa Carbon. “I am grateful to Srinivas Dempo, Goa Carbon and my coach Raghunandan Gokhale for the achievement,” she said. The newly appointed vice-president of FIDE and Secretary of All India Chess Federation, D V Sundar hailed Bhakti as one of the leading stars of Indian chess with bright future. “Bhakti will be one of the leading woman players of our country within the next three years,” stated Sundar. She is training currently with Dronacharya Awardee Raghunandan Gokhale in Mumbai before leaving for Halkidiki (Greece) for the World Youth Championship on October 19.

Courtesy:IBN

GST: State FMs to meet in Goa on Oct 29 & 30

Posted: 12 Oct 2010 10:06 AM PDT

State finance ministers will meet in Goa for two days between October 29 & 30 to firm up their views on the Centre’s revised draft for implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which has been facing uncertainty for quite some time.

“(We discussed ) how we can converge, what are the points on the basis of which convergence can be achieved. I would have to report to the empowered committee of state finance ministers which is scheduled to meet on October 29 & 30 in Goa,” the chairman of state finance ministers’ panel, Asim Dasgupta, told PTI after meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee here toda

Dasgupta, who is West Bengal Finance Minister, further said that he has conveyed to the Union Finance Minister views of the states on the GST related constitution amendment and the revised draft.

The indirect tax regime, GST, is expected to replace excise duty, service tax on the Centre’s end and VAT on the states front, besides local levies, cesses and surcharges.

The Centre has so far floated two drafts on Constitution Amendment bill. The first one was rejected by states as it proposed a GST Council, which they alleged gives veto power to Union Finance Minister on taxation issue of states.

The draft had proposed that changes in GST could be brought about by two-thirds majority in the council.

To assuage states, the Centre came out with another draft, which says that changes in GST could only be made when there is complete consensus in the GST council.

This draft is also opposed by the BJP-ruled states, besides Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Mukherjee had suggested that the Centre would come out with another draft.

The rollout of GST has missed the deadline of April 1, 2010, and the next slated date of April 1 next year is unlikely to be met.

After the revised draft, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Asim Dasgupta also came out with alternative model on GST.

However, the Centre refused to accept the alternative model of GST, saying it does not allow the essential features of GST to operate.

Courtesy:PTI
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