Latest news with #IndianNationalCongress
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal dismisses Congress appeal against Rs 199 crore tax assessment
Denying relief to the Indian National Congress, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) on Monday dismissed an appeal by the party against a tax demand of ₹199.15 crore for the year 2018-19. Late return filing and violations of cash donation limits were among the main grounds due to which the ITAT rejected the party's claim for tax exemption. 'The assessee's return filed on 02.02.2019 is not within the 'due' date to make it eligible for the impugned exemption,' ruled the coram on July 21. The INC had filed its income tax return on February 2, 2019 – over a month after the extended due date of December 31, 2018, prescribed under the IT Act. It had declared income after claiming an exemption of Rs. 199.15 crores. Another issue that the ITAT looked at was a violation of cash donation limits. According to scrutiny proceedings, the party had received ₹14.49 lakh in cash donations exceeding ₹2,000 from various individuals. Donations above ₹ 2,000 can only be received through banking channels like account payee cheques or electronic transfers as per the Finance Act, 2017. 'As per section 13A(d) of the Act, donation in excess of ₹2,000/- is mandatorily be received through a/c payee cheque/draft or through electronic mode and therefore donation in excess of ₹2,000/- received in cash violates provisions of clause (d) of first proviso to section 13A of the Act,' the ITAT order stated. The Congress tried to find respite in Section 139(4) of the IT Act which states that if an individual misses the ITR filing deadline, they can still file a belated return, subject to penalties. The ITAT, however, denied it relief. '…it is manifestly clear that the legislature has incorporated the statutory expression therein as 'within the time allowed under that section' i.e. section 139(1) as well as u/s 139(4)…we thus reject the assessee's instant first and foremost substantive grievance in very terms and decide the above first question framed between the parties; in the department's favour,' the tribunal ruled.
India Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Bal Gangadhar tilak jayanti 2025: Date, significance and all you need to know
Bal Gangadhar Tilak Jayanti is observed every year on July 23 to honour the birth anniversary of one of India's most revered freedom fighters and national leaders. In 2025, the day will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 23. This occasion not only commemorates Tilak's life but also serves as a reminder of his contributions to India's independence movement, his social reforms, and his belief in Swaraj as a fundamental IS BAL GANGADHAR TILAK JAYANTI CELEBRATED IN 2025?Tilak Jayanti will be marked on July 23, 2025. This date is fixed annually to coincide with the birth of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, born in 1856 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The day is widely observed across Maharashtra and other parts of India through cultural events, public programs, and educational WAS BAL GANGADHAR TILAK AND WHY IS HE CALLED LOKMANYA?Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a pioneering leader in India's freedom struggle. A scholar, lawyer, and journalist, he ignited nationalistic fervour through his writings and speeches. His famous declaration—"Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it"—mobilised masses and reshaped the Indian independence movement. The title 'Lokmanya,' meaning 'approved by the people,' was bestowed upon him due to his widespread popularity and IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAL GANGADHAR TILAK JAYANTI? The Jayanti celebrates not just Tilak's birth but his contributions to India's political awakening. He was among the first leaders to understand the power of mass mobilisation. His efforts in education, journalism, and cultural revival played a pivotal role in uniting Indians against colonial IS BAL GANGADHAR TILAK JAYANTI CELEBRATED?In Maharashtra, particularly in Pune and Mumbai, schools, colleges, and local organisations organise speeches, essay competitions, rallies, and exhibitions. Portraits of Tilak are decorated, his writings are revisited, and his thoughts are shared with younger generations. Public leaders and historians often pay tribute through articles and key contributions included political activism through the Indian National Congress, establishing the Deccan Education Society, and starting nationalist newspapers like Kesari and The Mahratta. He also used festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Shivaji Jayanti as tools for social unity and national ARE SOME FAMOUS QUOTES BY BAL GANGADHAR TILAK?Some of his most powerful quotes include:'Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.''The problem is not the lack of resources or capability, but the lack of will.''Religion and practical life are not different. To take sanyas is not to abandon life.'Bal Gangadhar Tilak's ideology and spirit remain etched in Indian history. As the nation celebrates Tilak Jayanti 2025, it also honours a man who lit the flame of patriotism and fearlessly challenged British rule. His vision of an empowered, self-reliant India continues to inspire leaders, students, and citizens even today.- EndsMust Watch
Mint
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Gandhi's only known oil portrait, painted during 1931 London visit, sells for over ₹1.75 crore at Bonhams auction
A rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted in 1931 during his historic visit to London, has been sold for £152,800 (approximately ₹ 1.75 crore) at a Bonhams auction — more than double its estimated price of £50,000 to £70,000. The painting, created by British artist Clare Leighton, is believed to be the only oil portrait for which Gandhi personally sat. According to Bonhams, it had never before been offered at auction and was the top lot in the "Travel and Exploration" sale held online between July 7 and 15. The portrait was completed during Gandhi's attendance at the Second Round Table Conference in London, where he represented the Indian National Congress to discuss constitutional reforms for India. The artist, Clare Leighton, was introduced to Gandhi by political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford, a known supporter of the Indian independence movement. The artwork remained in Leighton's personal collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed on to her family. The portrait carries a complex history; Leighton's family recalled that it may have been attacked with a knife by an RSS activist during a public exhibition in 1974. Documentation attached to the frame confirms the painting was restored that same year by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory. This is not the first time a portrait of Gandhi has fetched a significant price at auction. In 2017, a rare pencil portrait of Gandhi sold for £32,500 — roughly four times its estimated value.
Mint
a day ago
- Politics
- Mint
Gandhi's only known oil portrait, painted during 1931 London visit, sells for over ₹1.75 crore at Bonhams auction
A rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, painted in 1931 during his historic visit to London, has been sold for £152,800 (approximately ₹ 1.75 crore) at a Bonhams auction — more than double its estimated price of £50,000 to £70,000. The painting, created by British artist Clare Leighton, is believed to be the only oil portrait for which Gandhi personally sat. According to Bonhams, it had never before been offered at auction and was the top lot in the "Travel and Exploration" sale held online between July 7 and 15. The portrait was completed during Gandhi's attendance at the Second Round Table Conference in London, where he represented the Indian National Congress to discuss constitutional reforms for India. The artist, Clare Leighton, was introduced to Gandhi by political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford, a known supporter of the Indian independence movement. The artwork remained in Leighton's personal collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed on to her family. The portrait carries a complex history; Leighton's family recalled that it may have been attacked with a knife by an RSS activist during a public exhibition in 1974. Documentation attached to the frame confirms the painting was restored that same year by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory. This is not the first time a portrait of Gandhi has fetched a significant price at auction. In 2017, a rare pencil portrait of Gandhi sold for £32,500 — roughly four times its estimated value. The sale highlights both the historical and symbolic value of rare visual representations of Gandhi, particularly those created during critical moments in India's struggle for independence.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Jagdeep Dhankhar: A politician, lawyer who braved all odds to become Vice President of India
New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on Monday, July 21, 2025. Jagdeep Dhankhar served as the vice president of India from 2022 to 2025. Jagdeep Dhankhar as politician He has been affiliated with multiple political parties in India, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Janata Dal (JD). He previously served as the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022. He also served as a Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar ministry from 1990 to 1991, and served as a member of Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1991. Between 1993 and 1998, he was a Member of Rajasthan's Legislative Assembly. His personal life Jagdeep Dhankhar was born to Gokal Chand and Kesari Devi on 18 May, 1951 at Village Kithana, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan. He married Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar in 1979. The couple has a daughter, Kamna. Had his early education from Class 1 to 5 in village Kithana, at the Government Primary School. He passed from Chittorgarh, Sainik School, after taking the Indian School Certificate Examination recognized by the Cambridge University. He graduated in (Honors) Physics from Maharaja's College, Jaipur. Jagdeep Dhankhar as advocate He did LLB during 1978-1979 from the University of Rajasthan and was enrolled with the Bar Council of Rajasthan as an Advocate with effect from 10.11.1979. He was designated as senior advocate by the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan with effect from 27.3.1990. Since 1990 Jagdeep Dhankhar had been practicing primarily in the Supreme Court and his focus area of litigation have been in the field of Steel, Coal, Mining and International Commercial Arbitration, amongst others. He has appeared in various High Courts in the country and was the senior-most designated Senior Advocate of the State till assuming the Office of the Governor on 30 July, 2019. How he became the vice president? The BJP nominated Dhankhar as the National Democratic Alliance's candidate on 16 July 2022, for Vice President of India for the 2022 election in August. He contested against the United Opposition's candidate, Margaret Alva. The elections were conducted on 6 August 2022 and, on the same evening, the votes were counted. Dhankhar emerged victorious by securing 528 votes out of 710 valid votes over opposition candidate Margaret Alva's 182. Dhankar assumed the office on 11 August 2022 succeeding Venkaiah Naidu.
