Latest news with #OTS
Memri
6 hours ago
- Business
- Memri
At Summit Of Organization Of Turkic States (OTS) In Budapest, Turkish President Erdoğan Urges Member-States: 'We Must Also Think Beyond Our Borders'; 'Stand Against Israel's Expansionism And Support T
Addressing an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and held in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, on May 20-21, 2025, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called upon member-states to think outside their borders on global issues such as Gaza, while the OTS leaders expressed support for "the de facto [Taliban] authorities" and called for an inclusive government in Kabul, which was promptly rejected by the Taliban spokesman as interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Billed as "The Meeting Point Of East and West," the summit was attended by heads of OTS member-states: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and the Secretary General of the Turkic World Organization, Kubanıçbek Omuraliyev.[1] According to the official website, the OTS includes Northern Cyprus, formally the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognized only by Turkey, as an observer state.[2] Turkmenistan and Hungary also have observer status in the OTS, which was founded by Turkey and others in 2009. The next summit of the OTS will be held in Azerbaijan. The leaders of OTS member-states at the Budapest summit, May 20-21, 2025. Addressing the summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged the member-states to "think beyond their borders," stating: "The tragedies that have taken place in the past in Cyprus, Karabakh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and today in Gaza remind us that we must also think beyond our borders."[3] He said: "We overcame challenges and prejudices. Looking back, we are now on an exemplary level. We have more to do, but I believe we will reach our goals with our brothers here."[4] Speaking about the dire situation in Gaza, Erdoğan also called for taking a stand against Israel. "As the Turkic world, our contributions to efforts for maintaining a cease-fire, uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of Gaza are crucial. We have to stand against Israel's expansionism and support the territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria."[5] The Turkish leader stated: "Every occasion where we raise our voices will be addressed to a fairer order, a just share (of resources), and a law-based system that humanity needs. We need to stand for each other as the principle of our fraternity and make our solidarity more visible."[6] Speaking on the occasion, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban thanked Erdoğan for admitting Hungary as an observer member of OTS and said: "[We] did not expect the OTS to gain such significance when Hungary became an observer state seven years ago. Back then, the Turkic world was on the rise. But at the same time, the development of Europe, where Hungary is, the European Union, dramatically slowed down."[7] Péter Szijjártó, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade told a press conference held after the summit that Hungary has benefited from increasing cooperation with Turkic states through joint partnerships in sectors such as railways, pharmaceutical, air connectivity, and natural gas. "The region represented by the Organization of Turkic States has become the world's third-largest source of oil and natural gas; so Hungary's good cooperation with these countries is of enormous importance in terms of energy supply," he added.[8] Szijjártó also disclosed plans to build nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. "Hungary's energy supply would not be as secure as it is today without the Turkic states… This is not a political question but a physical one, given that the majority of natural gas is already transported via the Turkish Stream pipeline," he said and noted that Hungarian companies have acquired stakes in oil and natural gas fields in Azerbaijan and "decisions have been made to build nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, with Hungarian technology to be used in the process."[9] The meet was also notable for the fact that the OTS heads of state issued a joint statement on Afghanistan, which was adopted into the Budapest Declaration signed by the OTS leaders. According to the joint statement, the OTS leaders agreed to work "to assist the de facto [Taliban] authorities" and Afghan people and to encourage "establishment of a representative administration reflecting the diversity of the Afghan nation"; they called for "respecting human rights, including restoring and ensuring the fundamental rights of all citizens of Afghanistan without any distinction" and urged "taking stronger and more resolute measures in countering terrorism so that the territory of Afghanistan will not be used to threaten or attack any country by terrorist organizations." They also urged enhanced international cooperation through a "performance-based roadmap" for Afghanistan to be "at peace with its people, its neighbors."[10] The summit leaders also signed the Budapest Declaration. Despite the OTS leaders' support for the de facto Taliban rulers, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) was displeased and saw the statement as interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Afghan Taliban spokesman perhaps angered by call for a "representative administration" and need for protecting human rights, said that the Islamic Emirate will handle its international affairs.[11]
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Why does the British tax year end on April 5th?
For Britons the end of the tax year looms on April 5th. Why such a seemingly random date? In the Middle Ages England's tax year—or a nascent version of it—ended on Lady Day, March 25th, a religious festival by when debts had to be settled. The country, like most of Europe, used the Julian calendar. But Julius Caesar's system was flawed, and in 1582 continental Europe, on Pope Gregory XIII's orders, shifted to a more accurate model. Protestant England resisted. By the mid-18th century England was 11 days behind the continent, creating scope for confusion in trade and diplomacy. To catch up it made a one-off excision of a week and a half from September 1752. People would go to sleep on September 2nd and wake up on the 14th. At the time, tax was charged not on income but on land and windows. These were annual payments, so to keep the tax period at 365 days people were given 11 extra days to settle their bill. Then, in 1758, the window-tax year was explicitly extended by 11 days, to April 5th. This was the date used when William Pitt the Younger introduced income tax in 1799, and has marked the close of the tax year ever since. Some may see this as an example of Britain's loveable eccentricity, others as a symbol of the arcane nature of the British tax code itself. The April date puts Britain at odds with countries such as America, France and Germany, all of which harmonise with the calendar year. Indeed, it does not coincide with the British government's own financial year, which begins (don't ask why) on April 1st. The Chartered Institute of Taxation, a body for tax professionals, says getting in sync with other countries would increase efficiency and reduce friction. Despite its name, the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS), an independent body within the Treasury, pointed in a 2021 report to the administrative effort that would be involved in changing the date, though it conceded that 'a tax year aligned to the calendar year would be the natural, simplest and easiest approach". Don't hold your breath: the OTS was abolished in 2023. Correction (March 31st 2025): The original version of this article mistakenly attributed the Gregorian calendar to Pope Gregory III, not XIII. Sorry. For more expert analysis of the biggest stories in Britain, sign up to Blighty, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Property survey not done properly, says Minister Lad
Pointing out the huge difference in the number of houses having power supply collection and the number of properties in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad, Labour Minister Santosh Lad has directed the authorities to synchronise the data and stop revenue pilferage. Chairing review meetings of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) and the Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) in Dharwad on Tuesday, Mr. Lad said that it was evident that all the properties had not been brought under the tax net in the twin cities and said that a survey on the properties had not been done in a comprehensive manner. Emphasising the need for proper tax collection, he said that over 45,000 illegal, unauthorised sites have been developed and sold. Providing basic amenities to such residential layouts had become a problematic issue, which should be sorted out at the earliest. There should also be an extensive awareness campaign on tax collection, he said. 'The municipal corporation has given a total of 2,474 assets on long-term lease several years ago. It has come to light that several of them have been leased out to others and a few even sold to third parties. It should be thoroughly investigated and suitable action taken,' he said. Taking strong exception to the sale of five-gunta farmland around the twin cities, he said that as it was unauthorised it should be immediately stopped. 'It is illegal to convert fertile farmland into residential five gunta plots and sell them. This is going to create problems in the coming days and should be addressed immediately through joint action of department of registration and survey and local bodies,' he said. Mentioning that demand for introducing OTS (One Time Settlement) for the pending water bills worth ₹149 crore was being considered, he asked the municipal authorities to send a requisite proposal. Pointing towards unauthorised paying guest facilities in the twin cities, the Minister directed the zonal assistant commissioners of the twelve zones of HDMC to conduct survey on PG facilities in the twin cities and collect information on the number of occupants, permissions taken, the facilities provided, taxes paid and to check whether they were paying commercial rates for water and drinking water usage. Those violating the norms should be issued notices immediately, he said. Intervening in the discussion, Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu G.R.J. said that there was provision for cancellation of registration of sale deeds if the agricultural land was being used for non-agricultural activities and action could be taken. She also assured of constituting a joint committee to prevent unauthorised layouts in the district.
India Today
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why the Ludhiana bypoll is crucial for every major party in Punjab
The date for the Ludhiana West by-election has been announced. On Sunday morning, the Election Commission released the schedule for upcoming by-elections across five states. Voting for the Ludhiana West Assembly seat will be held on June 19, with the counting of votes scheduled for June Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has nominated Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, the Congress has fielded former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has named Parupkar Singh Ghuman as its candidate. The BJP has not yet announced its per electoral regulations, no parliamentary or assembly seat can remain vacant for more than six months. Following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi on January 11, a by-election for the Ludhiana West Assembly constituency became due. AAP was the first to announce its candidate on February 26, nominating Arora to contest the by-poll. The move was seen as strategic following the party's setbacks in Delhi, and as an attempt by the AAP leadership to consolidate its influence in there was speculation that big names like Arvind Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia might contest, the party dismissed these as rumours. The opposition believes Arora will be rewarded with a significant role in the state government for vacating his Rajya Sabha seat, although no official announcement has been a businessman from Ludhiana, the industrial hub of Punjab, was also perceived to be a factor behind the government's recent business-friendly decisions, including the removal of farmer protest sites and the introduction of a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for by-election is the first since the AAP government completed three years in office and is being viewed as a litmus test for the party ahead of the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections. The decision to move Arora from the Rajya Sabha has added a layer of intrigue to the response, the Congress fielded Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a prominent Hindu face and former Food and Civil Supplies Minister. Ashu was initially expected to contest the Lok Sabha elections, especially after Punjab Congress chief Raja Warring decided to take on BJP's Ravneet Singh Bittu in Ludhiana, leading to public expressions of disappointment from Ashu over the party's Shiromani Akali Dal, which had boycotted the last round of by-elections in November 2024 (in Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), Gidderbaha, and Barnala), is back in the fray. That boycott followed a directive from Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who declared party president Sukhbir Singh Badal a tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct), barring him from political activity. With only months left before the 2027 elections, SAD views this by-poll as an opportunity to revive cadre morale and reconnect with its the BJP is yet to name its candidate. Ludhiana is seen as an urban bastion for the party, especially as Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, originally from Ludhiana, is currently its most high-profile leader from Punjab. While names are being discussed internally, the BJP appears to be weighing its choice carefully to boost its 2027 electoral prospects and strengthen its organisational structure in the a single seat is at stake, the Ludhiana West by-election is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle that could indicate the mood of the electorate in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Vidhan Sabha Watch
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Vidyut sakhis' collect all-time high of Rs 169 crore in two months
Lucknow: Women engaged under the UP state rural livelihood mission (UPSRLM) are 'powering' their way to livelihood. Trained as 'vidyut sakhis', these women have managed to collect electricity bill payments of over Rs 169 crore from consumers in the first two months of the ongoing 2025-26 fiscal year — an all-time high since the inception of the programme in 2020. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is, in fact, double the amount collected in 2021-22 when vidyut sakhis collected Rs 87 crore in the entire financial year. The 'Vidyut Sakhi' initiative empowers rural women by training them to collect electricity bill payments directly from consumers. Rural development department data shows that between 2021-22 and 2024-25, more than Rs 2,000 crore was collected by vidyut sakhis. Data shows that the electricity bill payment collection almost doubled every financial year — from Rs 87 crore in 2021-22, it jumped to Rs 262 crore in 2022-23, to Rs 466 crore in 2023-24, and eventually to Rs 1,045 crore in 2024-25. As many as 14,105 'vidyut sakhis' in UP together received a commission of over Rs 26 crore in the last five years. Of this, a commission of over Rs 13 crore was earned by them in 2024-25 alone. In rural areas, vidyut sakhis get a commission of Rs 20 per transaction on full payment by the consumer up to Rs 1,999 and 1% of the bill amount from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,99,999. A key milestone of the scheme is the financial empowerment of women — as many as 438 women have been categorised as 'Lakhpati Didi', a term coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to describe women whose earnings went above Rs 1 lakh in a single year. Besides this, vidyut sakhis also collected electricity bills worth Rs 369 crore under the one time settlement (OTS) scheme.
