Today Current Affairs 22/08/2025
Centre Proposes Two-Rate GST Structure, States Flag Revenue Concerns
- The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Rate Rationalisation has endorsed the Centre’s proposal to simplify GST into a two-rate structure, pending approval by the GST Council.
- The plan seeks to retain only the 5% and 18% slabs, moving most items from the existing 12% and 28% slabs into these categories.
- Sin goods like tobacco, cigarettes, and online gaming would fall under a new 40% slab, replacing the current cess mechanism.
- While the Centre projects reduced tax burden and better compliance, States such as Kerala have expressed concerns about potential revenue losses and demanded a mechanism for compensation.
Assam Govt Tightens Aadhaar Rules to Curb Illegal Immigration
- From October 2025, adults in Assam will no longer be eligible for first-time Aadhaar enrolment, except SCs, STs, and tea garden workers who get a one-year relaxation.
- The move, announced by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, aims to prevent illegal immigrants, particularly from Bangladesh, from using Aadhaar as a pathway to citizenship.
- Applications from others will undergo strict scrutiny by district authorities and security agencies.
- Assam reports 103% Aadhaar saturation, with some districts exceeding their population figures. Separately, Assam and Nagaland will jointly undertake a plantation drive on 12,000 bighas of land freed from encroachment at Uriamghat, Golaghat.
Centre’s New Bills: Accountability or Power Grab?
- The Centre has introduced three Bills, including a constitutional amendment, requiring the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers to lose office if detained for offences punishable with five years or more.
- Though framed as promoting probity, critics argue this enables the Centre to misuse investigative agencies against Opposition leaders, since these agencies function under its control.
- Existing laws already disqualify convicted leaders; these proposals go further by removing them upon arrest, undermining the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
- The move risks weakening federalism, empowering Governors over States, and dishonouring the people’s electoral mandate.
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