Income Tax Department Provides Section Mapping Between 1961 Act and Simplified I-T Bill, 2025

Income Tax Department

Income Tax payers can now match the sections of the I-Tax Act, 1961, with the corresponding clauses in the simplified I-T Bill, 2025, on the tax department portal.

Also, Section to Section mapping as per Income Tax Act, 1961 and Section number as per New Income Tax Bill has been uploaded on the I-T department’s website.

A simplified Income Tax Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Bill, once enacted, will replace the 64 years old Income Tax Act which has become bulky over time with its traditional style of drafting and numerous amendments.

The simplified Bill has a word count of 2.6 lakh, lower than 5.12 lakh in the I-T Act. The number of Sections is 536, as against 819 effective sections in the existing law.

The number of chapters also have been halved to 23 from 47 currently. The Bill has 57 tables, compared to 18 in the existing act, besides formulae which make it easier for a taxpayer to calculate tax liability. It has removed 1,200 provisos and 900 explanations.

In a post on X, the department on February 14 said it has activated the utility to check Section of the Income Tax Act, 1961, vis-a-vis corresponding clause of the new Income Tax Bill. A taxpayer can select the section of I-T Act, 1961, from a drop down menu and accordingly the corresponding clause in the I-T Bill will appear.

Besides, a section wise mapping has been given in tabular format for taxpayer convenience.

The Bill uses shorter sentences and has been made reader-friendly with the use of tables and formulae. Tables have been provided for provisions relating to TDS, presumptive taxation, salaries, and deductions for bad debt .

The Bill introduces a new concept of ‘tax year’ as the 12-month period beginning from April 1. This would replace the present concept of assessment and previous year. Currently, income earned in the previous year (PY) say in the year April 2024 to March 2025 will be assessed in assessment year (AY) 2025-26.

The Bill will come into effect from April 1, 2026, after it is vetted by a Select Committee of the Lok Sabha and cleared by Parliament.

The new bill has omitted redundant sections, like those relating to Fringe Benefit Tax. The Bill is free from ‘explanations or provisos’, thereby making it easier to read and comprehend.

Also, the word ‘notwithstanding’, which was used excessively in the Income Tax Act, 1961, has been done away with in the new Bill and almost everywhere replaced with the term ‘irrespective’.

Vande Bharat Express Launch Between Katra and Srinagar Postponed to February 21 or 22

Vande Bharat train

The much-anticipated launch of the Vande Bharat Express train service between Katra and Srinagar has been postponed, sources told Greater Kashmir.Scheduled for February 17, the launch has been pushed back to either February 21 or 22, according to sources in the Northern Railways.

Although no official order had been issued for the commencement of the rail service on February 17, Northern Railway authorities had received a verbal directive to prepare for the launch and restrict employee leaves.

However, a new verbal order has deferred the launch, with sources citing the government formation and swearing-in ceremony in Delhi as the reason behind the delay.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express train service on the revised date.When contacted, Chief Area Manager Budgam (CAM) Kashmir railway Saqib Yusuf said no official order has been issued to commence the service on February 17 or February 21/22. 

He said that these reports have not been confirmed through any official announcements. 

J&K Police Arrest Five Gamblers, Seize ₹33,500 and Playing Cards

Arrest Five Gamblers

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday have arrested five persons involved in gambling activities and seized stake money and playing cards from their possession in Narbal area of district Budgam.

A Spokesperson said that Police Post Narbal received specific information through reliable sources that some unknown persons are busy in gambling activities near village Jawaharpora Narbal in an open agriculture land. On receiving this information, police party headed by I/C Police Post Narbal raided the place and apprehended five persons involved in illegal gambling activities and arrested them on spot.

During search operations ₹33500 stake money and playing cards were seized from their possession. The persons were later identified as:01. Nisar Ahmad Dar S/o Abdul Rehman Dar R/o Chanabal Mirgund Baramulla

02. Gh Mohd Bhat S/o Abdul Aziz Bhat R/o Ghat Sozeith Goripora
03. Shahnawaz Ahmad Sheikh S/o Bashir Ahmad Sheikh R/o Matipora Pattan.
04. Gh Rasool Parray S/o Abdul Raheem Parray R/o Sumbal Sonawari and,
05. Gh Mohiddin Rather S/o Abdul Rahim Rather R/o Alambal Mirgund

Accordingly, Case FIR No 21/2025 under relevant sections of law stands registered at Police Station Magam and further investigation was set into motion.

These actions underscore the commitment of Jammu and Kashmir Police to curb gambling and related activities in the area.

J&K Deputy CM Calls Drug Abuse “Biggest Issue” Urges Stronger Police Action

surinder choudry

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has termed drug abuse as the biggest issue facing the Union Territory, stating that it is “killing our race.” He urged J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to direct the police to take stronger action against drug trafficking.

Surinder Choudhary stressed the need to raise awareness against drug abuse and called on the Director General of Police (DGP) ro take the lead, “Banning liquor is fine, but the biggest issue for J&K is drugs… It is killing our race. It (drugs) has started to reach our homes. I want to request LG (Manoj Sinha) to tighten police and Director General (DG) to raise awareness on this in public forums…”

“It is a disease. Once, there was not a trace of drugs in Jammu and Kashmir…It should be stopped,” he told reporters.

On the restoration of J&K’s statehood, he said, “In our first Cabinet meeting, we fulfilled the promise made by Omar Abdullah’s government… Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister (Amit Shah) have assured that J&K’s land and employment will not be given to outsiders, and it will be declared a special state…”

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MLA Ahsan Pardesi has introduced a Private Member Bill in the J&K Assembly seeking to ban the sale and consumption of liquor in Kashmir and other Muslim-majority regions of the Union Territory.

He had told media, “A few days back, I submitted a Private Member Bill in the Assembly, regarding the prohibition of sale and consumption of liquor in Kashmir. It is a common demand that liquor should be banned in Kashmir. Islam doesn’t allow this. If liquor can be banned in a state like Bihar, then why can’t it be done in Kashmir, which is a Muslim-majority region?” (ANI)

Omar Abdullah Urges Graduates to Lead Ethically in AI-Driven, Competitive World

omar abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reminded graduating students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University about the “rapidly evolving world” which is marked by rapid development of artificial intelligence, climate change and intense global competition.

Addressing the 10th Convocation Ceremony of the university, the chief minister said that India and the world need ethical, compassionate and responsible leaders.

“You are privileged to be a part of an institution named after Mata Vaishno Devi, the embodiment of power wisdom and emotions,” Omar Abdullah said at the ceremony.

“Success is not just about achieving milestones it is also about how you overcome challenges, stay rooted in your principles and uplift others along the way,” he added.

He pointed out that a degree is not just a piece of paper but a key to making a difference.
“You are entering a world of artificial intelligence, climate change, start-ups and global competition. Your degree is not just a piece of paper. It is key to making a difference,” he said.

“For the entrepreneurs among you, build solutions that create impact. For the scientists, innovate for a better tomorrow. For the artists and writers, inspire the world with better creativity. For the leaders and managers, lead with creativity and vision. But amidst all this, do not forget the most important lessons. Success is not just about personal achievements, but about contributing to society,” he added.

The chief minister said that failures are not the opposite of success but part of success.
“India and the world need ethical compassionate and responsible leaders. The journey ahead is not always easy. Failures are not the opposite of success. It is part of success,” he said.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar presided over the Convocation Ceremony and awarded the meritorious students of the institute.

Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh Dhankhar planted saplings in memory of their late mothers, Kesari Devi and Bhagwati Devi at the premises of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the convocation ceremony. (ANI)

Omar Abdullah Demands Fair Trial for Terminated Employees, Opposes Waqf Amendment Bill

Omar Abdullah Threatens

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday emphasized that government employees terminated over alleged terror links should be given a fair opportunity to prove their innocence. Speaking to reporters, he reiterated that as per the law, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
“If there is evidence against them and they fail to justify themselves after being given a chance, then the action is justified.However, if they are dismissed without being heard, it goes against the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” he stated, responding to the recent termination of three government employees in Jammu and Kashmir.
Commenting on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Abdullah strongly opposed it, asserting that it is targeted against Muslims. “There is no other reason behind it,” he remarked. (KNS)

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Condemns Termination of Three Govt Employees and Seizure of Islamic Books

mirwaiz umar farooq

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday condemned the termination of three Govt employees and Seizure of Islamic Books in srinagar .
“The termination of three more state employees in such authoritarian manner is highly condemnable. Do the rulers want to remove all Kashmiri’s slowly and steadily from government services and render them jobless? It is the duty of the  elected representatives to take up this issue urgently with the concerned as they have committed in their manifesto, and stop this harassment,” he said on X according to KNS correspondent.

“Also cracking down on Islamic literature and seizing them from bookstores while condemnable is ridiculous. Policing thought by seizing books is absurd to say the least, in the time of access to all information on virtual highways,” he added.(KNS)

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Welcomes Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at SMVD University Convocation

Jagdeep Dhankhar at SMVD University

 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at SMVD University.

In a post on X, CM-Jnk wrote, “Glad to welcome Hon’ble Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at SMVD University, Katra where I am attending the 10th Convocation of the University.”

“Looking forward to interacting with young minds and witnessing their passion for innovation and learning. The future of J&K shines bright with their talent and determination!” the post reads.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Welcomes Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Jammu Airport

Jagdeep Dhankhar

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today welcomed Hon’ble Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Jammu airport.

In a post on X, LG Sinha wrote, “Delighted to welcome Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji at the Jammu Airport.”

Joint Operation by Indian Army and J&K Police Recovers Weapons in Kupwara

indian army

In a joint search operation, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have recovered weapons and ammunition at Bandi Mohalla in the Kupwara district.

The army said that the search operation, which began on Friday, is continuing.

“On 14 Feb 2025, based on specific intelligence inputs, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolicein general area Bandi Mohalla, Channipura Pain, Kupwara,” the army said in a post on X.

“During the search, 02xPistols, 04xPistol Magazines and ammunition have been recovered.”
More information is awaited. (ANI)