-PTI Demonetisation of high denomination currency notes like Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 may not help curb black money which is largely held in the form of benami properties, bullion and jewellery, a Finance Ministry report says. "One common demand from the public is that high denomination currency notes, particularly Rs 1,000 and Rs 500, should be demonetised", says a committee headed by the CBDT chairman in its report to the Finance...

-The Telegraph The CPM today disclosed that levy collected from party members plus small, voluntary contributions had swelled its coffers but denied it was a big beneficiary of corporate donations. “The CPI(M) does not accept donations from corporates. However, there have been contributions from some companies in Andhra Pradesh. These donations, when it came to the notice of the politburo last year, was discussed and it was decided not to accept donations...

-PTI Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today alleged that the state was "deliberately left out" by the Centre when announcements were being made for relief packages for states facing drought-like situation. Referring to the relief announced by the Centre for some states like Gujarat, Maharashta and Haryana in view of drought like situation, Badal said "it is unfortunate that Punjab was deliberately left out of its ambit despite the fact that...

-The Telegraph Ranchi: The state government has failed to arrive at a formula to end the Nagri land imbroglio and will once again seek time from Jharkhand High Court during a hearing tomorrow. Sources said the state government affidavit, to be filed by the Ranchi district administration, would comprise details of two rounds of inconclusive talks with the villagers and will seek more time to resolve the issue. “We are pursuing the case...

-PTI Undisclosed income of Indians totalling Rs 565 crore has been detected in France, according to Income Tax authorities, indicating that the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is showing results.  The figure was disclosed in the information that India received from France on Indians having bank accounts, under the exchange of information clause of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with the European country.  In 219 cases, the tax authorities have detected undisclosed income...