I-T dept to crack whip on organisations defaulting TDS money

Mar 10,  1:18 PM The Income Tax department has decided to crack the whip on big companies and organisations that do not remit TDS money even after deducting it from their workers' salaries. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the controlling and administrative authority of the department, has asked all I-T ranges to identify such cases where revenue implication is large and initiate prosecution in competent courts. The action will be taken under the I-T Act which deals with failure to pay tax to the credit of central government (I-T department). A senior department official said, the punishment under the said provision carries a rigorous imprisonment varying from three months to seven years of jail along with a fine. Maha Shivratri being celebrated across the country Mar 10,  1:25 PM In Uttar Pradesh Mahashivaratri, the day for worshiping Lord Shiva is being celebrated today across the state. All arrangements for sixth and last bathing festival of Kumbh Mela at Allahabad for Mahashivaratri are in place. At several places including Allahabad, Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, Mathura and Naimisharanya temples and places of worships have been decorated nicely. Procession of ‘Shiv Baraat’ will be taken out at several places this evening including Kashi and Ayodhya. AIR correspondent reports that with the bathing of Mahashivaratri more than 50 days long Maha Kumbh Mela will be completed officially. Large numbers of pilgrims have started pouring into the Mela from the last evening. Mela administration has said that estimated 55 lakhs pilgrims will be visiting the Mela to take holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati on this occasion. The Kumbh Mela officer Mani Prasad Mishra has said that 11 bathing Ghats have been developed for last bathing festival of the Mela. Massive security arrangements have also been made in and around at Kashi Vishwanath temple at Varanasi and temples at Mathura, Ayodhya and Chitrakoot. In the Kashmir valley, Kashmiri Pandits, celebrate it as Herat and Muslims are greeting their Pandit brethern on this occasion. Last night, special pooja called Watuk Puja was held in all Kashmiri households. The devotees are also visiting various temples including famous Shankara Charaya temple in Srinagar on this occasion. In Himachal Pradesh, the festival of Maha Shivratri is being celebrated with full religious traditions and fervors. People are thronging the Shiva temples in Mandi town also known as Chhoti Kaashi , Baijnath and Mahakal in Kangra districts since early morning and are performing puja. A week long International Shivratri fair will start from tomorrow in Mandi town with traditional procession in which hundreds of local devotees would take part. The local administration has made elaborate arrangements for this historic event. In Tamil Nadu, Mahasivaratri is also an auspicious day for dancers and artists. The world famous Natyanjali festival will be held at Chidambaram Natarajar temple. Thousands of artists from India and countries like Singapore and Malaysia will perform Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri and other form of classical dance in the temple premises. The five day festival is organised by tourism departments and Natyanjali trust. In Assam, Maha Shivratri is being celebrated across the state with religious fervour. Men and women are queuing up in front of Shiva mandir since morning. In Guwahati, devotees are offering puja at Ganeshguri, Bashishta, Sukleshwar and Umanand, the smallest river Island of the world. The four day Maha Shivratri is also being celebrated at historical Siva Daul in Sivsagar district. On this occasion, national level fair has been organised where around one thousand 200 stalls have been set up. 55-day long Maha Kumbh concludes toady Mar 10 The 55-day long Maha Kumbh came to a close today with lakhs of devotees thronging the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at Allahabad for a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri. The sprawling landscape around the Sangam, dotted with numerous temples, was abuzz with activity since dawn as devotees came pouring in after the holy bath to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The Maha Kumbh, which commenced with the Makar Sankranti festival on January 14 saw millions of people from across the globe and various walks of life converging at the Sangam at Allahabad during the last 55 days. Held at the Sangam every 12 years, this year's Maha Kumbh is likely to be remembered for the largest ever turnout of pilgrims for the Mauni Amavasya festival on February 10. However, what was otherwise an occasion to rejoice, 38 people lost their lives in a stampede at the Allahabad Junction on that day. AIR correspondent reports, with the bathing of Mahashivaratri the above 50 days long Maha Kumbh Mela completed formally. Although most of the saints and sears and Kalpwasee, devotees spending one month on the banks of Sangam have already left the Mela after Maghi Purnima bathing, however, large numbers of pilgrims had started reaching to the Mela from the last evening and bathing was started early in the morning and it continued till late evening. About 11 bathing Ghats were developed for bathing on this occasion. Adequate security arrangements were made and security personnel were deployed at all sensitive points. Massive security arrangements were also made in and around at Kashi Vishwanath temple at Varanasi and temples at Mathura, Ayodhya and Chitrakoot. A sea of devotees chanting Har Har Mahadev thronged various temples of lord Shiva to mark the occasion. The pious city of Varanasi spotted huge rush of devotees at Kashi Vishwanath temple one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of the country. Be ready to meet emerging challenges, Khurshid tells CISF women forces Mar 10 External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has called upon the women forces of the CISF to be ready to meet the emerging challenges. Taking part in the 44th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force held at Ghaziabad in National Capital Region today, the Minister said the government is committed to strengthen equal participation of women forces at the ground level. Mr Khurshid said the government is focusing on providing safety and security to women as the current year is being observed for the same. A ceremonial parade was held on the occasion. AIR Correspondent reports about one lakh 70 thousand CISF personnel are providing security to a variety of vital installations in the country including airports, aerospace and nuclear energy stations, besides being deployed in Naxal-affected areas. Among the important responsibilities recently entrusted to the CISF are the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, VIP security, disaster management and establishment of a Formed Police Unit of the United Nations in Haiti. AIR launches FM relay station in Srikakulam district of Andhra Mar 10 All India Radio has launched its frequency modulation (FM) relay station near Peddapadu in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Dr. Killi Kruparani inaugurated the FM Station. The one kilo watt transmitter would cover listeners in 18-20-km radius from 6 in the morning to 12-noon on 102.7 mega hertz with programmes aired from AIR Hyderabad FM Station.