Friends, This is to bring to your attention & necessary action about those people who lost their precious life in railway stations and trains because of no medical help. I lost my father on 20th January 2017 in Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station while boarding train to Chennai in Rajdhani Express (one of the most prestigious and fastest train in India), due to lack of medical facility. My father & his friends has already boarded the train and was waiting for departure, when he felt chest congestion, his friends approached the T.T but they informed that only in Agra medical help can be provided (after 2 hours). They got down and approached the Superintendent for wheelchair (given) who also informed that an ambulance will be waiting but was not available. It is highly disappointing that negligence of medical aid in major railway station & train in the capital city for the passengers has not been provided.  It is my kind request to our Honourable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Shri. Suresh Prabhu to provide an emergency medical care centre in railway stations, trains & Bus stands in India for the well being of our fellow citizens/human beings.  It is a small step from my family to avoid the situation we’re going through for our fellow citizens. Thanks for your Support, Hemalatha S

I've been groped and manhandled three separate times by porters. They were helping me board the train because Indian trains are not wheelchair accessible. I am a disabled woman living in Mumbai who loves to travel. I have had to wear a diaper because I couldn’t use the train bathroom. And when I needed to change that diaper, I had no privacy and had to wait for hours for the lights to go off at night The railways treat the disabled as a piece of luggage. This needs to stop! Sign my petition and join me in asking the railway minister and the Prime Minister to implement disabled friendly measures in Indian railways. According to The Disability Rights bill, there need to be facilities available for those with disabilities. The Railway Ministry has been talking of making trains disabled friendly but in reality, we are still humiliated every single time because of poor implementation. My fight is to ensure human dignity for the disabled. I am asking the authorities for some basic things everyone takes for granted- Accessible bathrooms with proper space inside the bathroom, clean and higher toilets, low sinks so we can easily wash our hands.  Accessible coaches for the disabled in all trains, ideally one for each class. Enough space between berths so it is easy to fit a standard size wheelchair between the berths and we can shift onto our seats when needed.  Curtains around the berths for when we need to change. Often, I've needed to change my clothes and the berths are too small for me to role around to change my clothes, as well as have no privacy. Proper infrastructure to cross railroads if needed to change platforms. Beside these infrastructure related demands, I also want an attitudinal shift in the way the disabled are treated: Sensitise people to let those with disabilities board first as the general public normally does not care about our well being. Everyone is in a rush to get to their seats. Sensitise abled-bodied persons to not board the handicapped compartment, especially in local trains. We often see that in the local train, those who are not disabled will climb in. That isn't fair. Train the drivers and TCs to halt the train till a handicapped passenger has finished boarding, especially for local trains. The local train only stops for two minutes and with all the crowd, it is very difficult to board. I want to sit down with PM Narendra Modi or the Railway Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu and talk to them about the difficulties faced by those whom are disabled. Sign my petition and ask PM Modi and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to implement measures to make the Indian railways disabled friendly.

I am a frequent traveller by Indian Railway's sleeper class and I feel really sad when people throw Eatables wrappers ,polythene bags ,plastic bottles out of windows as a convenient option for a dustbin and dirty both the sides of our railway tracks running throughout our beautiful country. While travelling when I see people throwing garbage and wastes out of the windows I try stopping them and request them to throw  it in dustbins on stations or leave it in the train itself as the Railways staff cleans the compartments periodically in running trains.Plastic bottles can easily be recycled if collected by cleaning staff.But I have seen people are not bothered about this serious problem.Everyday thousands of people travelling in sleeper and general class must be throwing waste through the windows and we are not taking this issue seriously.People are not conscious about difference between bio-degradable and non biodegradable waste. Inside of the Trains and the station areas can be cleaned but the vast area through which the trains run cannot be cleaned. I request you to provide Dustbins in an empty area  under washbasin in all trains in Sleeper and General Class also as is provided already in First class, Second AC and Third AC classes.There should be clear instructions for using them. Also it is seen that the Railway Staff who vacates these bins and cleans the floor etc in AC compartments then throws the garbage out from the doors of the running trains. The staff should be instructed to vacate  the waste at regular intervals of few hours on stations in  bins only. This will help to prevent  piling of junk  in the vast area of running tracks throughout the country and further damage to our environment.  

Respected All, With the intention of the Government to re-draft the present Income–tax Act, by way of enacting new Direct Tax Law keeping in mind tax system prevalent in various countries, international best practices, economic needs of the country, among others, the Institute of Cost Accountants of India has made an attempt to highlight that Cost Accountants with their efficiency, equity and effectiveness can surely prove to be a valuable resource and can contribute positively and progressively in various direct taxation arenas, as we have put forth in our attached representation. This is to bring to your kind consideration, that such representations have already been put forth to your good office at different occasions previously. They are as follows for your reference: (i) Letter ref – G:142:48:2015 dated 20th November, 2015 (ii) Letter ref – G:142:48:2016 dated 6th December, 2016 (iii) Letter ref – G:142:05:2018 dated 23rd May, 2018 along with suggestion and submissions on new Direct Tax Law (iv) Letter ref – G:142:11:2018 dated 20th November, 2018 (v) Letter ref dated 18th July,2019 (vi) Also refer DTC ,2013 draft report (vii) Also refer report of the High-powered expert committee on companies & MRTP acts 1978 Even High-powered expert Committee report on Companies and MRTP act 1978recommended to Include Cost Accountants under Accountant definition, "Wherever the services of Accountants is required in Companies act or elsewhere".And then DTC 2013 recommended to include Cost Accountants as defined under Cost and Works Accountants Act 1959. Cost Accountants are also Recommended by the Expert GST Committee report in 2015 and 2016 to include Cost Accountants as GST Auditors. ICMAI introduced the concept of Excise Duty on Captive consumed goods with the help of its Cost Accounting standards (CAS-4) issued by the cost Accounting standard board of ICMAI, Which helped the excise department to have collection of Revenue on these goods and Curtail malpractices. This is high time to utilize the services of Cost Accountants who are committed to work Ethically and professionally to enhance Tax transparency,curb Tax audit Monopoly, increase Tax Payers, create an environment where Tax Payers are self motivated to file self returns and decrease litigation & curtail black money.We also believe that, India will become 3rd Largest GDP (Nominal) by 2025 with the Inclusion of Cost Accountants in the Accountants Definition. Thank you.  Piyush Goyal (On behalf of CMA Fraternity) https://twitter.com/CMA_DREAM

The Union environment ministry has given environmental clearance for open cast coal mining in Parsa in Chhattisgarh’s dense Hasdeo Arand forests, in a decision that could have far-reaching consequences for forest cover conservation in India. Hasdeo Arand is one of the largest contiguous stretches of very dense forest in central India, spanning about 170,000 hectares. Parsa is one of the 30 coal blocks in Hasdeo Arand and is owned by the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUNL). The mining will start by Rajasthan Collieries Ltd. Retaining forests, the ecology and NOT disturbing the tribal habitats is vital for the holistic growth and development of this nation. Coal is a commodity which we can always import from other countries to meet our demand. But forests cannot be regrown as easily. Economics should not precede the needs of the environment. I am starting this petition to request the Government of India to withdraw its permission to allow mining in the Hansdeo Arand forest regions of Chhattisgarh. I'm not an activist. I am just a concerned and educated citizen of India who loves the environment.

Those who travel daily from Mumbai local trains would never wish to use the platform toilets. The odour from outside the toilet is enough to drive us away, sometimes the paan spit on the walls of the toilet and even if we somehow manage to use it, the flush or the tap is not working. There is always a toilet which cannot be used either because it is unclean or the flush is not working. This is not only the problem of Mumbaikars but also tourists/families who visit Mumbai and need to use the toilets after a long train journey.Sure, there are washroom cleaners but it is still not being maintained as it should be.Only having toilets is not enough, cleanliness and hygiene matters a lot. Unhygienic toilets are open invitations to many infections. Therefore,toilets should be cleaned daily at regular intervals and attention should be given to the functioning of flush and taps. Thank you.  

Lakhs of migrant workers have been stranded on the streets of several metro cities in India caused by a country-wide lock-down till April 15th which has been imposed by the Prime Minister of India in wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. All train and bus services have been halted and business have ceased operations. While this is a necessary measure, the daily wage laborers working in these cities have suddenly been rendered jobless, without shelter or any means of getting back home to their families. Several people have been forced to walk distances of  hundreds of kilometers to reach their homes. And these are the luckier ones. People from Bihar working in New Delhi (a distance of over 1000 KMs) have no place to stay AND no means of getting back home. Furthermore, they are regularly harassed by law enforcement authorities because of the near curfew-like situation in the country right now.  Therefore, I urge our Honorable Union Ministers of Railways and Road Transport, Mr. Piyush Goyal and Mr. Nitin Gadkari, to work towards getting these people home while ensuring efficient lock-down and social distancing A 6-point agenda can both work towards increasing national surveillance figures and setting up necessary logistics for this large group of people: 1. Operationalize mobilize testing centers, equipped with Rapid Diagnostic Tests for COVID-19.  2. These testing centers to be manned by paramilitary and state health personnel for COVID-19. Provide a travel pass to people who test negative, quarantine people who test positive. 3. This travel pass to give them access to a freight train/truck traveling to a hub nearest to their home towns. 4. Identify hubs and facilitate buses or other means of public transport. Equip these with medical-hygiene equipment such as hand sanitizers and soap.  5. Once they reach the hub, arrange shuttle services from the hub to their home town by aggregating demand and matching schedules.   6. Along the way, utilize unused bed and kitchen capacity of religious places, hotel and restaurant kitchens to arrange for meals and accommodation.  While this is certainly easier said than done, it will have the double benefit of increasing national surveillance figures and go a long way in reuniting stranded people with their families. Video 1 - Young Boy laborer breaks down in front of TV reporter Video 2 - People forced to walk 80 KMs to reach their home town in absence of modes of transport. Imagine living on the streets with nowhere to go while we sit in the comfort of our homes. Imagine sleeping on the streets and bus stands in times like these. Do spare a thought and a click to help these people get home safely and reunite with their families. 

Dear sir, We note with legitimate concern from the reports appearing in the media that the Union Cabinet had given is assent to the proposal of Life Insurance Corporation of India to acquire 51% of controlling stake in IDBI Bank. The decision of the Cabinet will result in Government of India’s stake getting diluted from 85.96% to 43% having definite bearing on the mandated Development Bank role and character of the Bank as defined in the IDBI (Transfer of Undertaking and Repeal) Act, 2003. We deem it pertinent to draw your kind attention to the solemn assurance given by the then Hon’ble Finance Minister of the NDA led Government of latae Shri A B Vajpayee on the floor of Lok Sabha on 8.12.2003 and Rajya Sabha on 15.12.2003 that the Government shall, at all times, maintain not less than 51 % of the issued capital of the Company. This categorical assurance of the Hon’ble Finance Minister formed the very basis for the withdrawal of the motion moved by the Opposition parties in the matter and ultimate passage of the IDBI Repeal Bill, 2002. Subsequently, Government of India also formally confirmed to the Committee on Government Assurances that the above assurance has been complied with by incorporation of relevant provisions in Clause 4 of the Articles of Association of IDBI Bank to the effect that “The Central Government, being a shareholder of the Company, shall at all times maintain not less than fifty-one per cent of the issued capital of the Company.”Also, relying specifically on the strength of the above assurance, the Reserve Bank of India categorized IDBI under Sub-group :Other Public Sector Bank and the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance vide its communication dated 31.12.2007 to all Ministries and Government Departments concerned notified that for all purposes IDBI shall be treated on par with Nationalised Banks/ State Bank of India.In the above circumstances, the present decision of the Union Cabinet to accord approval to LIC of India for acquire 51% controlling stake in IDBI Bank having consequential effect of Government diluting its shareholding to below 51% is against the solemn assurance given by the Government in December 2003 and is inconsistent with provisions contained in Clause 4 of the Articles of Association which was specifically incorporated because of the assurance given to the Parliament. While we do appreciate that IDBI Bank needs infusion of adequate fresh capital, we feel that the means being adopted by the Government of India is not the panacea. Internal generation of funds by recovery of Non-Performing Assets adopting stringent punitive measures alone will address the issue of capital requirements on long term basis. The main problem in IDBI Bank is the growing bad loans of the big corporate and business houses. Because these huge bad loans are not being recovered, rather all types of concessions are being given, the profits earned by the Bank are going towards making provisions for these bad loans.  Rs. In crores Operating Profit,Provisions for bad loans,Net profit / loss, Gross NPA2011-12    4,056    2,024    + 2,031   4,5512012-13    5,458    3,576    + 1,882   6,4502013-14    5,681    4,560    + 1,121   9,9602014-15    5,778    4,855    + 873    12,6852015-16    5,370    9,035    - 3,665  24,8752016-17    4,579    9,737    - 5,158  44,7532017-18    7,905   16,143   - 8,238  55,588 From the above, it can be observed that the Bank has been performing well but only due to piling up of bad loans, higher provisions have been made and consequently, the entire profits of the Bank have been eaten away by provisions and for the past three years, the Bank is in net loss.In the last 7 years from 2012 to 2018, Rs. 24,226 crores of loans of the big borrowers have been written off by the Bank. When the entire profit of the Bank is going towards provisions for bad loans, the Bank is suffering from loss, inadequate capital, etc., Government should take tough measures to recover the bad loans, fix accountability for the bad loans and in the meantime, extend capital support as assured to the Parliament.As dilution of its shareholding below 51% and permitting LIC of India to acquire controlling stake in IDBI Bank is inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the IDBI (Transfer of Undertaking and Repeal) Act, 2003, we convey our unequivocal protest against the decision of the Union Cabinet in the matter and fervently urge upon the Government of India to rescind its decision in the light of our foregoing submissions. Thanking you,  

Metro fares in Delhi has increased between 25% and 67% from 10th May 2017 and the next hike in fare slabs up by Rs.10 is likely in October. The minimum fare now will be Rs 10, up from Rs 8; the maximum Rs 50 against the existing Rs 30 based on the recommendations of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Board. Many students travel by metro rail in Delhi;  Students studying in 11th & 12th Standard attend coaching centres and travelling late evenings prefer metro rail and Students studying in colleges and evening colleges prefer to travel by metro rail.  For safe travel during late hours after attending classes, girl students prefer to travel by metro. Why student concessional fare?  Student concessional fares reduce the burden of travel cost on students. Metro rail travel is safe and fast travel for students traveling far distances and late hours.  Students can use the time saved for study. The present hike in fare has increased the travel cost burden approx. by Rs.500 to Rs.1200 per month for students travelling by metro rail. Student Concessional fare in Developed Countries  In Australia, student cards are issued to school students and college students studying full-time courses in Colleges/Universities. Student concessional fares are at 30% reduced rates.  The concessional fare reduces the cost of education expense for the students.  Solution To reduce the cost burden on students and as a step towards motivation of students, DMRCL should introduce Student Card with 30% and 50% concessional fares for students and girl students, respectively. DMRCL should actively promote the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padao' initiative by offering concessional fares to girl students.  This petition will be delivered to: •Prime Minister of India        Shri Narendra Modi •Minister of Railways        Shri Piyush Goyal •Minister of Urban Development        Shri Hardeep Singh Puri •Managing Director, Delhi Metro  Rail Corporation Limited        Dr. Mangu Singh

This is in regard with the ongoing debate over the internet on the discrepancy in the CA Final results declared on 17/01/2018. Many of them who had failed to clear the exam, accessed score lists initially sent to the individual regional branches showing them as pass. My brother did not clear the CA Final Exam as per his score card on the ICAI website with a score of 198 while the passing score is 200. But on the Gazette list provided to the branches earlier in the morning, he was found to have passed the gruelling exam in the very attempt. He is not the only one. There is any entire outrage over the internet with humungous number of students who are facing the same situation in other states of the country. As per the assessment, candidates with scores of over 190 have all faced the same problem. The result was delayed by a few hours and that is when they seem to have downgraded the scores of the deserving candidates. As per the Institute, the primary lists that have come to public domain were an internal communication and had some technical glitches. To highlight here, the so called internal communication is also headlined as GAZETTE LIST and marked as Published for General Information. Official lists are not possible from any external agency and has definitely been leaked from the ICAI database. The question arises that how can the list be termed as INTERNAL COMMUNICATION and a mere Press Release from the Institute stating that there were certain technical errors be enough to suffice the discrepancy involved. Lives have been at stake after the announcement of this result and the trauma is unbearable when all the hard work goes unpaid. We want the authorities to provide clarity with the Minutes of the Meeting held on the result day, the reason why the result was delayed and on what basis were the initial results slashed.