Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

03 Sep

GST Council Approves Two-Slab System, Major Tax Reform to Roll Out by September 22

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessGST 2.0 reform, GST Council meeting 2025, GST two slab structure, India tax system, Nirmala Sitharaman GST

NEW DELHI, September 3, 2025 — In a landmark move to simplify India’s indirect tax framework, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved a sweeping reform on Wednesday that will replace the existing four-tier GST structure with a streamlined two-slab system.The new regime, set to take effect on September 22, introduces two primary slabs 5% and 18% while reserving a special 40% rate for luxury and sin goods such as premium vehicles, tobacco, pan masala, and online gaming. Officials estimate that the rationalisation will result in a revenue loss exceeding ₹47,000 crore, but…

03 Sep

Carney, Trump Hold Talks on Trade as Canada Prepares for Cabinet Retreat

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada U.S. trade talks, CUSMA review, Mark Carney Donald Trump call, tariffs Canada U.S.

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma) — Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed today that he spoke at length with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday evening, covering a wide range of issues with trade at the forefront.The Prime Minister’s Office did not disclose the call when it took place, but Carney confirmed the discussion as he arrived at a cabinet planning committee meeting this morning. He said Canada has senior bureaucrats stationed in Washington actively engaging with U.S. counterparts on trade matters, particularly those tied to tariffs.However, the prime minister cautioned against expecting a breakthrough in the near term. “No one should expect…

03 Sep

Tensions Flare at Alberta Next Panel as Smith Faces Cheers, Criticism Over Ottawa Pushback and Immigration Plans

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta Next Panel, Alberta pension plan, Alberta provincial police, Danielle Smith, Medicine Hat town hall

National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma) — A crowd of nearly 400 filled the Cypress Centre on Tuesday night for the Alberta Next Panel town hall, where Premier Danielle Smith received both strong applause and sharp criticism as her government outlined proposals to wrest more control from Ottawa.The two-and-a-half-hour meeting focused on six hot-button issues: federal transfers and equalization, an Alberta Pension Plan, constitutional reform, a provincial police force, immigration, and provincial tax collection. The panel suggested shifting more tax revenues to align with provincial responsibilities, drawing comparisons to Quebec’s constitutional autonomy.While Smith and panelists drew strong support on matters like…

03 Sep

CM Dhami Orders Special Drive to Repair Rain-Damaged Roads, Reviews Law and Order

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaLaw and Order, monsoon damage, pothole-free drive, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Seva Pakhwada, Uttarakhand roads

Dehradun— Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to launch a special campaign to make the state’s rain-damaged roads pothole-free once the monsoon ends. Chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he also emphasized strict measures against those disturbing law and order and directed tighter surveillance in sensitive areas. Dhami instructed that the tendering process for road repairs should be completed immediately, with detailed district-wise plans prepared and implemented within a fixed timeline. He said he would personally tour districts by road to inspect the condition of highways and local roads. On law and order, the…

03 Sep

Djokovic Marks US Open Win With Dance Tribute to Daughter Tara

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsKPop Demon Hunters, Novak Djokovic, Tara Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, US Open 2025

New York, September 3, 2025 — Novak Djokovic brought both tennis brilliance and a touch of family fun to Arthur Ashe Stadium after defeating Taylor Fritz in the US Open quarterfinals. The 24-time Grand Slam champion sealed a 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory before breaking into dance moves inspired by the hit movie KPop Demon Hunters.Djokovic revealed that the choreography was taught to him by his daughter, Tara, who celebrated her eighth birthday on Tuesday. Calling the win “a big present” for her, he said he hoped his performance on court both in tennis and dance would make her smile…

03 Sep

Haryana Gets 200 New MBBS Seats, Admissions to Begin This Session

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryanaBhiwani Medical College, Haryana MBBS seats, Koriawas Medical College, Medical Education

Chandigarh, September 3 – Haryana has received approval for 200 new MBBS seats, a move that will allow talented students from the state to pursue medical education closer to home. Health Minister Arti Singh Rao announced that admissions for 100 seats each at Bhiwani and Koriawas (Mahendragarh) medical colleges will begin this academic session.Rao expressed gratitude to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for their swift action. She recalled that she had written to both leaders on August 19, requesting permission to start MBBS admissions at the newly established Pandit Nekiram Sharma Government Medical…

03 Sep

Punjab Flood Crisis: Arvind Kejriwal to Visit Affected Areas

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, PunjabArvind kejrival, Punjab

National Times Bureau :- Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal is set to visit flood-affected regions of Punjab to assess the ground situation and oversee relief measures. The visit aims to review ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts being carried out by the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership. Kejriwal is expected to meet affected families, interact with local authorities, and ensure that essential aid reaches the victims without delay. Officials have been directed to provide a detailed report on damages caused by the floods, including losses to agriculture, infrastructure, and housing. Additional…

03 Sep

Flood Crisis Intensifies in Vrindavan as Yamuna Exceeds Danger Mark

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingVrindavan

Varindavan (National Times Bureau): The Yamuna River has exceeded the danger mark, triggering a severe flood crisis in Mathura, Vrindavan, and adjacent villages. Water levels have risen to 166.38 meters, with over 3.29 lakh cusecs of water released from the Hathnikund barrage expected to enter the district between September 4th and 6th. Authorities have evacuated approximately 1,000 residents to relief shelters, while schools remain closed and rescue boats transport stranded villagers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered immediate rescue operations and established a 24x7 flood control room. Despite rising waters in Vrindavan and Mathura, spiritual leader Premanand Jee continued his…

03 Sep

Trump Accuses India of Imposing “World’s Highest Tariffs,” Defends U.S. Trade Policy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has criticized India’s past trade approach, arguing that American businesses faced some of the harshest tariff barriers in the world while Indian goods entered the U.S. market with relative ease. Trump claimed that the U.S.–India economic relationship had long been tilted against American producers. “India was charging us tremendous tariffs, some of the highest anywhere. Meanwhile, our market was wide open for them,” he said during his remarks. He pointed to the example of Harley-Davidson, an American motorcycle manufacturer, which faced import duties of up to 200 percent in India. According to Trump,…

02 Sep

Trump Damaged US-India Ties Over Pakistan Business Links : Former US National Security Advisor

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsDonald Trump, India-US relations, Jake Sullivan, Pakistan business deals, US foreign policy

Washington, September 2, 2025 – Former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has accused President Donald Trump of sacrificing America’s relationship with India for personal business interests linked to Pakistan, calling it a “huge strategic harm” to US foreign policy.Speaking on the MeidasTouch network, Sullivan said the US-India partnership had been nurtured for decades across party lines, with progress in technology, economics, and security cooperation, especially against the backdrop of China’s growing influence. However, he claimed that progress had been undermined under Trump’s leadership.“In no small part, because of Pakistan’s willingness to do business deals with the Trump family, Trump…