Prelim Bits 23-05-2023 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

TDS Rules for Winnings from Online Gaming

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) gave clarification inline with new TDS rule on online gaming.

• Earlier Provision - All the income earned through winnings from lottery, crossword puzzle, gambling, betting, horse racing and any similar nature are taxed under section 194B of the Income Tax Act.
• The person of such winnings would require to deduct TDS at 30% if such winnings exceed Rs. 10,000/-
• New provision - Budget 2023 announced that a new provision to tax income (TDS) earned from winnings from online gaming.
• The Finance Act, 2023 inserted a new section 194BA in the Income-tax Act, 1961.
• It removed the minimum threshold of Rs 10,000 for TDS and proposed a flat 30% rate on online gaming.
• The new TDS rule on online gaming is effective from April 1, 2023. 
• Mandate - The new section mandates a person responsible for paying any person any income by way of winnings from any online game during the financial year to deduct income tax on the net winnings in the person’s user account.  
• Tax must be deducted at the time of withdrawal and at the end of the financial year.
• Exception - The platforms need not deduct tax at source (TDS) on winnings withdrawn by players if the amount is less than Rs 100 a month and meets certain riders.
• Online gaming companies paying any income for referral, promotion or any other item as long as it is used within the game and is not withdrawn will be outside the tax net.
• Net Winning - The manner of computation of net winning has been prescribed in the new guidelines.
• Online gaming companies paying any income by way of winnings to the players during the financial year should deduct income tax on the net winnings in his user account as per Section 194BA of the Income Tax Act.
• GST will not be included for the purposes of valuation of winnings for TDS under Section 194BA of the Act.

References

1. Business Standard - Online gaming winnings taxable if withdrawn
2. Zee Business - Online gaming: No TDS on winnings up to Rs 100

Artificial Leaf

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed an “artificial leaf” to harness the power of sunlight.

• Artificial leaf is a light absorbing material with different catalytic materials bonded onto its two sides with no external wires or control circuits to operate.
• Earlier attempt - The first version of the artificial leaf that makes syngas was developed in 2019.
• The syngas produced can be used for generating electricity or producing some liquid fuels like synthetic diesel (conversion through intermediary steps).
• Due to its thick glass and moisture-protective coatings, the first version was bulky.
• New prototype - This artificial leaf converts carbon dioxide into liquid fuels by harnessing the power of sunlight.
• It is a standalone artificial leaf which generates multicarbon alcohol driven by sunlight.
• Thin-film oxides and ‘perovskite’ materials that can be coated onto flexible plastic and metal foils were used.
• The leaf is coated with micrometre thin water-repellent carbon-based layers to protect it from moisture.
• Artificial photosynthesis - The researchers replicated the process of photosynthesis by converting carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into 2 multicarbon fuels - ethanol and propanol.
• Drawback - Both ethanol and propanol are produced together in a photoreactor.
• A separation process will be required to get pure ethanol and propanol.

References

1. IE - Fuel from sunshine: Liquid fuels from solar power   
2. Nature - Solar-driven liquid fuel production using artificial leaf

AX-2 Mission

A SpaceX capsule delivered the crew members of Axiom Mission 2 (AX-2) which includes first Saudi Arabian female astronaut at the ISS.

• Axiom Mission 2 (AX-2) is the second wholly private mission to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
• The Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) carried 4 astronauts Peggy Whitson, John Shoffner, Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi.
• Ax-2 members will stay for roughly 10 days and conduct approximately 20 experiments.

SpaceX sent the first all-private astronaut team to the ISS in April 2022 in its AX-1 mission.

Rayyanah Barnawi

• Barnawi is a cancer stem-cell researcher from Saudi Arabia.
• She is Saudi Arabia's first female astronaut, heading to the ISS to advance breast cancer research.
• Sultan al-Neyadi and Rayyanah Barnawi are the first Saudi Arabia’s Astronauts.
• Other Saudis in Space - A prince of Saudi is the only Saudi flown to space before.
• He rode on NASA's shuttle Discovery in 1985.

References

1. WION - First Saudi Arabian female astronaut reaches ISS
2. BBC - First Arab female astronaut reaches space station

Fiji & Papua New Guinea Awards on Modi

Papua New Guinea and Fiji conferred their respective highest civilian awards on PM Narendra Modi.

• PM Modi travelled to Papua New Guinea to co-chair the summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation.
• The Summit was attended by leaders of 14 small island nations.
• In this visit, he launched a translation of the Tamil classic Thirukkural to the Tok Pisin language.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first Indian premier to travel to Papua New Guinea.

Order of Logohu, Grand Companion

• Papua New Guinea Governor-General Bob Dadae conferred the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu on Modi.
• ‘Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu’ is the country’s highest civilian award.
• The recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters GCL and to the title ‘Chief’.
• The Order of Logohu was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II and the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea on August 23, 2005.
• The Grand Companion is the First Class award of the Order of Logohu.
• It is conferred in recognition of the highest degree of achievement and meritorious service provided over 20 years to the state or to humanity.

Order of Fiji, Companion

• Prime Minister Modi was conferred with the highest honour of Fiji by its premier Rabuka in recognition of his global leadership.
• The Order of Fiji was instituted by the President of Fiji, Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda in 1995.
• The Companion is conferred upon citizens, or other foreigners by an Honorary Award.
• The Companion is conferred in recognition of eminent achievement or the highest degree of meritorious service to Fiji or humanity.

References

1. Hindustan Times - Fiji confers highest civilian awards on PM Modi
2. TOI - PNG, Fiji bestow highest civilian honour on PM Modi
3. Medal book - Order Of Logohu, Grand Companion

Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Seher Campaign

‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ campaign has gained momentum as Cities pushed for sustainability and better LiFE.

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)’s launched a campaign titled ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’.
• The campaign is launched to champion the RRR’s of waste management- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
• Urban India is increasingly adopting the principles of making ‘Wealth’ from waste and the 3R’s form the backbone of ‘Waste to Wealth’.
• The nationwide campaign aims to setup ‘RRR’ Centres in cities, one stop solution for citizens, institutions, commercial enterprises, etc.
• The RRR Centres will serve as one-stop collection centres to deposit unused or used plastic items, clothes, shoes, footwear, books, and toys.
• After collection, these items will be given to different stakeholders to be refurbished for reuse or would be made into new products.
• The campaign is for 3 weeks and will culminate on June 5 (World Environment Day).
• The campaign will also champion Mission LiFE’s objective and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM 2.0).

References

1. PIB - Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Seher Campaign gains momentum
2. TOI - MCC starts ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ campaign