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States not to prune sales tax on ATF now

NEW DELHI: Tougher times may be ahead for the country’s air carriers as States on Saturday refused to prune their rates of sales tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), a commodity which alone accounts for more than 40 per cent of the total operational cost of airlines.

According to VAT (value added tax) panel Chairman and West Bengal Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta, the States also rejected the aviation industry’s demand to bring ATF under the ‘declared goods’ category mainly because no State government would then be able to levy more than four per cent sales tax on the jet fuel.

At present, the sales tax on ATF differs widely from State to State, ranging from a low of four per cent in Andhra Pradesh to a high of anything between 20 per cent and 30 per cent in several other States.

Speaking to the media after the VAT panel’s meeting on Goods and Services Tax (GST) here, Dr. Dasgupta said: “The mood of States is not to review the [sales tax] rates of ATF now, because we asked some hard data on policy of fixation of pricing of petroleum products. We have not got the response [from the Centre].” In particular, the panel had sought to know from the Centre certain aspects such as how ATF prices are fixed, the share of the fuel in the total operational costs of airlines and the like.

However, having received no response so far, Dr. Dasgupta said that the “consensus of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers is that we do not want this [ATF] to be brought in the declared goods list” and this decision will be conveyed to the Centre “accordingly, duly, [and] appropriately”.

Incidentally, the stand taken by the State finance ministers at the VAT panel meeting on the issue of sales tax rate on ATF has come almost ten days after the setting up of a ministerial group to examine the impact of jet fuel prices on the airlines and suggest measures to cut the operational costs.

As of now, products that are of importance in inter-State trade or commerce are brought under the category of ‘declared goods’ and the list now includes items such as paddy, rice and other foodgrains, coal, cotton, iron and steel and LPG among fuel products. As for ATF, the fuel enjoys declared goods status when utilised for turbo-prop aircraft meant for short-haul.

Among other factors, high ATF prices owing to the steep sales tax levied on the fuel by various State governments is one of the prime afflictions of the aviation sector, especially because the share of ATF in the operational cost of airlines is much higher than the global average of 20-25 per cent.

While the average price of ATF in the entire Asian region as also London and New York is pegged at about Rs. 24,000-26,000 a kilolitre, its price in Andhra Pradesh stands at about Rs. 34,000-35,000 a kilolitre.

NIFT speciality centre in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: The Union Government will establish a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) speciality centre in Coimbatore, Union Minister for Textiles Dayanidhi Maran said here on Saturday.

Inaugurating the modernised facilities of four mills of National Textile Corporation (NTC) he said the speciality centre would be established in association with the State Government. The resources of NTC and NIFT would be pooled for the benefit of the textile units in this region. NTC would give seven acres of its surplus land to set up the centre and would host the Centre for Apparel and Textiles Studies. The speciality centre would cater to the needs of the local textile industry by providing design, technology and management inputs.

The NTC had modernised the four mills at a cost of Rs. 76.50 crore. Already two NTC mills here were modernised. He urged the NTC to modernise its retail outlets too to revive sales. A technical textiles manufacturing facility would be established in one of the NTC units here. The NTC would make a study on the potential of various technical textile products and soon prepare a project report, he said.

Union Minister of State for Textiles Panabaaka Lakshmi said the Ministry was organising seminars to create awareness on technical textiles. The modernised NTC mills would produce value-added products for domestic and export markets.

Secretary, Union Ministry of Textiles, Rita Menon, said that in an effort to help the NTC market its products, the Textile Ministry was trying to see if the corporation could supply to the Railways and for the commonwealth games.

Earlier, speaking at the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Southern India Mills’ Association here, the Minister said a solution would be found soon to the pollution problem of the textile units in Tirupur.

The Ministry had received representations from the stakeholders about the duty drawback rates and the need for measures to improve the export competitiveness of the Indian textile units. The Textile Ministry had discussed these with the Department of Commerce. “I hope these issues will be addressed in the Foreign Trade Policy to be announced next week,” he said.

India, South Africa agree on road map to enhance trade ties

NEW DELHI: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on Saturday called on South African President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria and pledged to expand and diversify trade ties with the African nation to give a new dynamic dimension in the coming years.

Mr. Sharma, who is on an official visit to South Africa from August 20 to 24, conveyed the greetings of the Indian leadership to Mr. Zuma and congratulated the African National Congress on its resounding victory in the elections under his leadership. Mr. Zuma also conveyed his felicitations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on their success in the Indian elections and described the successful elections in both countries as a step towards strengthening democracy worldwide.

Both sides agreed on a roadmap to enhance bilateral cooperation in several key sectors, including cooperation on security issues and in addressing international terrorism. Mr. Sharma reiterated that the Indian leadership was looking forward to the visit by President Zuma to India early next year, which would give an added impetus to the relationship.

Both Mr. Zuma and Mr. Sharma also discussed measures to deepen and diversify the bilateral relationship through a newly energised economic and commercial partnership building on the existing complementarities. Mr. Sharma briefed the South African President on efforts by the Ministries of Trade and Industry on both sides to enhance the quality of business-to-business interaction through an interaction between CEOs in connection with his visit. It was agreed that India would share its experience in rural development and employment generation and a delegation led by the Minister of Rural Development of South Africa would visit India in the near future in this regard.

India’s initiative

They also emphasised the need for both countries to work together to address contemporary global challenges, including the economic crisis and the need to make international political and economic institutions more democratic and representative of contemporary realities of the 21st Century. He also informed Mr. Zuma on India’s initiative to host a Ministerial meeting in New Delhi on re-energising the Doha Development Round of WTO at which the South African Trade and Industry Minister would also take part. Mr. Sharma later met Maite E. Nkoana-Mashobane, Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa. He also called on the Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, on Friday. He also addressed a meeting of the India Business Forum in Johannesburg. He will hold bilateral meetings with his counterpart, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, on August 24.

Rani turns choreographer

Rani plays two characters in Dil Bole Hadippa — the carefree Veera and the cricket-crazy Veer, who poses as a Sardar and dreams of playing with the likes of Sachin and Dhoni. While shooting the title song, ace choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant was in a fix. Making Rani dance as a girl was a breeze, she couldn’t quite figure out how to make Rani boogie as a man! That is when Rani confidently announced that she would capture Veer’s spirit. The Bong beauty just went ballistic with a whacky dance. Everyone was in splits on the sets. And Rani found her groove.

In high spirits

The Kaminey team is finally exhaling. The film was beset by hurdles — an A certificate from the Censor Board first and then the swine flu scare which resulted in the film losing the invaluable initial weekend in Mumbai. But now it’s celebration time for the team. After getting positive box office reports and reviews from all over the country, an elated director Vishal Bhardwaj celebrated with his three close friends — Anurag Kashyap, assistant Abhishek Chaube (who has turned director with the Naseeruddin Shah-Arshad Warsi-Vidya Balan film, Ishqiya) and casting director Honey — by holding a party over the weekend where everyone had a good time.

Chunky’s Italian job

Whether as a hero (Aankhen) or a character actor (Paying Guest), Chunky Pandey has a strong connection to comedy. Believe it or not, the funster is now playing an Italian in Sajid Khan’s Houseful. The actor says: “I play an Indian-Italian, who is the waiter-cum-manager-cum-entire-staff of a hotel. I talk in typical Italian style with lots of phrases such as ‘mama mia’ and ‘pleaseooo’.” Though Chunky says “It was great fun”, he has some changes planned. The actor insists, “I want to concentrate on some serious roles now. No more comedies hereafter, ‘grazie’ very much.”

Not confused

Veteran actor Om Puri will be soon seen in director Ashu Trikha’s Baabarr starring Mithun Chakraborty, Sushant Singh, Urvashi Sharma and newcomer Soham. Ask the National Award winning actor if he feels the title of his upcoming film is a bit confusing and the actor shoots back immediately, “What did the title Om Shanti Om convey? Om Shanti Om sounded like it’s the title of a dharmik film. The confusion is good. It will raise people’s curiosity.”

my first break -- poorna

How it happened

As a student in Kerala, my school wanted me to do something novel. So, I learnt to dance Bharatanatyam wearing roller skates. I came first in inter-school competitions and also in National-level contests. My photos were published in newspapers, and I started getting calls from directors. I started off with the sister’s role in Pachakuthira (Malayalam). I played a lot of second leads before turning heroine. That was when I signed up for Kodaikanal (Tamil).

How it felt

My second film, Muniyandi Vilangiyal Moondram Aandu, directed by Thirumurugan, released before Kodaikanal. I saw the film in Bangalore where I was shooting for a Kannada movie. Posters of the film were put up all over the place, and my family and friends were delighted.

How life changed

Until a few years ago, I could go out by myself in any part of the country. Not any more, at least in the South. People walk up to me and tell me they appreciate my work. I love good food, but can’t eat whatever I want anymore — my mother is my diet doctor! Earlier, I could go out as I pleased; now, I need to dress up appropriately before I step out of home. Inside, I am the same girl though. I am now working in some plum projects such as Vithagan, opposite actor-director R. Parthepan

Miss Universe 2009

Stay tuned as the world’s most gorgeous beauties compete for the coveted title of Miss Universe. The event will be televised from Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Before the live event, which will premiere on August 24, 6.30 a.m., get up close and personal with Miss India contestant Ekta Choudhry.

On August 23, 8.30 p.m., the channel brings ‘Miss India Universe Special,’ to the living room supplemented with some behind the scenes footage and Ekta’s journey to the competition.

During the two-hour show on August 24, a panel of renowned judges will select one winner from over 80 contestants.

Each entrant will be judged on their grace, intelligence and poise.

Venezuelan beauty Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast.

Daunting task ahead of Australia

LONDON: Jonathan Trott’s hundred on debut left England eyeing a stunning Ashes triumph as it closed in on a series-clinching victory in the fifth and deciding Test at The Oval here on Saturday.

Australia, at stumps on the third day, was 80 without loss — needing 466 more to reach what would be a new Test record fourth innings victory total of 546.

The highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at The Oval is 263 for nine by England against Australia 107 years ago.

But openers Shane Watson (31 batting) and Simon Katich (42 batting) ensured Australia made a sound start to its imposing chase.

Trott’s 119 was the centrepiece of England’s second innings 373 for nine declared.

Trott, who was run out for 41 in the first innings, became the first England player since Graham Thorpe in 1993 to score an Ashes century on debut.

Andrew Strauss and Trott took the overnight total of 58 for three to 157 before the England captain was caught at slip off Marcus North for 75 shortly before lunch. It was Strauss’ second half-century of the match.

Admirable composure

Trott showed admirable composure on a pitch which held few terrors after 15 wickets had tumbled for 243 on Friday.

He drove the ball handsomely through the off-side reaching his 50 in the morning session from 89 balls.

After Matt Prior had run himself out for four, Andrew Flintoff came to the wicket to a standing ovation in his last Test innings.

He struck four quick boundaries but was caught at long-off for 22 trying to hit North out of the ground.

The noisy greeting that next man in Stuart Broad received seemed like a changing of the guard as England’s leading all-rounder. Broad turned the match with his bowling on Friday by taking five for 37.

Broad employed the same explosive tactics as Flintoff, crashing three boundaries off North in the 71st over, the last one registering the 400-run lead.

The first was a lofted straight drive, the second lifted over cover and then he swept through midwicket. This came after Broad was dropped on five by North off his own bowling.

North, who took over the off-spinning duties after Australia omitted specialist Nathan Hauritz, took four for 98 from 30 overs.

Graeme Swann entertained the capacity crowd with nine boundaries in his 63 from 55 balls, while Trott patiently acquired runs at the other end before he was finally out after striking 12 boundaries from 193 balls.

Ganguly to head Cricket Development Sub-Committee

KOLKATA: Former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly, has been named as the Chairman of the newly created Cricket Development Sub-Committee with a view to raise the standard of the game in Bengal.

The high-profile Sub-Committee will also have three former India players, Arun Lal, Ashok Malhotra and Pranab Roy, as members. The Working Committee of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) decided this in its first meeting on Saturday.

The Sub-Committee will prepare a master plan for the improvement of the game at all levels. It will also have the advisory powers in all cricket-related matters and recommend measures to improve the standard of the game in the State.

The body has also been given powers to make recommendations on technical aspects of all tournaments and deal with issues on umpiring and finally will receive reports from the selectors (senior and junior) at the end of every season, assess the accountability of the selectors and make necessary recommendations to the Working Committee.

This apart the meeting formed 19 Sub-Committees. The senior, junior and women’s selection committees along with membership, women’s cricket and cricket committees will be former after September 15, said President Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Ojha, Das retained

The two sitting Assistant Secretaries, Naresh Ojha and Debabrata Das have been retained for a year and the house co-opted Prabir Chakraborty of Wari AC as a member of the Working Committee.

Mr. Dalmiya said that the renovation work at the Eden Gardens would begin by next week immediately after getting the clearance from the Defence Ministry.

“Kolkata Police has cleared the project and we have received the verbal clearance from the Army authorities. Once we get the written permission we will begin the work,” he said.

To a question on the CAB not being allotted international matches, the CAB President said he had a word with the Board chief Shashank Manohar.

“I told Mr. Manohar that the CAB cannot be penalised for somebody’s (read: Mr. Prasun Mukherjee, the immediate past President) mistake of signing a rotation policy that put the CAB at the 22nd position. I even told the President that the mistake had been detected and it should be rectified. He agreed to reply within three days,” Dalmiya said.

“When we did not get any reply, I again wrote to him and also had a word with the Board’s CAO who said the Board Secretary would be writing to the CAB soon,” he added.

Issadeen inspires Lanka to victory

NEW DELHI: An inspired Sri Lanka, spurred by three goals from M.N.M. Issadeen, rocked the tournament with a sensational 4-3 win against Lebanon in the Nehru Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Saturday. It was Lebanon’s first defeat in two matches after the 1-0 verdict against India.

The weather was just ideal and the teams came up with some intense stuff. The tempo was set with some early aggression and credit to Sri Lanka for remaining positive right through. The result was an ideal reflection of Sri Lanka’s excellent performance.

The pick of the Sri Lankan lot was E.B. Chenna, the roving playmaker with a flowing mane. He was a relentless threat to the Lebanese defence. His presence created confusion in the opposition ranks and Issadeen, who scored the first, second and fourth goals, capitalised on his good work.

Racy encounter

Early indications of a racy encounter came when Chenna created the move for the first goal in the seventh minute. The ball was set rolling by Chathura Maduranga with a square pass and Chenna carried the move forward with an impeccable through pass for Issadeen to place it in style.

Sri Lanka enjoyed the lead for a mere two minutes as Mohmoud El Ali floated the ball precisely to Akram Moghrabi, who headed in comfortably. Lebanon scored again during injury time of the first half when Al Saad Ali strongly headed in a cross from Mohammad Korhani.

The red card to Moghrabi left Lebanon with ten men from the 41st minute and Sri Lanka exploited the situation. It pounded the Lebanon goal with a few well-constructed moves and came to scoring twice but goalkeeper Lary Mehanna thwarted the moves with his anticipation. However, a concerted effort by Sri Lanka left Lebanon gasping. Three goals in nine minutes brought the house down.

The equaliser for Sri Lanka came from Isadeen after Madurang’s shot was blocked by the Lebanese goalkeeper. Soon came another goal when Raumy Mohideen made no mistake off a crafty ball on the top of the box from Maduranga. Sri Lanka slammed one more when Issadeen beat the goalkeeper with a deft placement on the turn. Sri Lanka closed the contest on a sad note when D. W. Hettiarachchi was sent off for an infringement on Korhani.

The resultant penalty was converted by Korhani but Lebanon had run out of time.

Baichung Bhutia is the face of Indian football. He now confronts a grave situation where the team looks up to him for deliverance. He is familiar with such challenges. It is just that this one comes with India’s appearance in the tournament just a match old.

Having lost 0-1 to Lebanon, India must win against Krygystan on Sunday. A defeat could well mean end of the road unless providence shows the way.

Milestone beckons

Bhutia, who will be playing his 100th match (including friendlies), understands the gravity of the situation. “A lot depends on Sunday’s match. We have to win. I hope the ground condition would be better than the first match,” said the star player.

The Indian camp was unhappy with the tall grass in its match against Lebanon and chief coach Bob Houghton has been highly critical of the playing conditions.

India has a couple of worries ahead of the match.

Defender N.S. Manju, down with an ankle injury, paves the way for seasoned campaigner Mahesh Gawli while Deepak Mondal will replace Surkumar Singh, who is nursing a strained thigh.

A comforting thought for Bhutia is that Sunil Chetri will be assisting him from the word go.

“I am happy Sunil is in the starting line up,” said Bhutia. Chetri, who had played as a substitute in the last match, is expected to add teeth to the attack which will miss Sushil Singh, who twisted his ankle during practice on Friday.

Shopian case to be handed over to CBI

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to hand over the probe into the alleged rape and murder of two women at Shopian to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Finance Minister Abdur Rahim Rather told the Assembly on Wednesday that the government intended “handing over the case to the CBI after consultation with the High Court.”

Earlier in the day, angry members drew attention to Tuesday’s report in The Hindu, which broke news that samples submitted by a Jammu and Kashmir Police Special Investigation Team for DNA tests had been fabricated.

Forensic experts at the New Delhi-based Central Forensic Science Laboratory determined that the samples, on which the rape investigation was based, had been obtained from women other than the victims.

Speaker Akbar Lone suspended question hour in the morning to allow a special debate on the DNA fabrication.

People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti initiated the debate by reading from the report in The Hindu, and argued that the government was complicit in a cover-up.

Despite repeated requests from the Speaker, Ms. Mufti did not commit herself on which agency her party wanted the DNA fabrication issue investigated. “Investigating agencies do not matter; it is the government’s intentions which matter,” she said.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M.Y. Tarigami, however, demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI. He was joined by National Conference MLAs Saifullah Mir, Sajjad Kitchloo and Nazir Gurezi.

Demanding to know who was responsible for the forensic fabrication, Mr. Tarigami pointed to a series of errors in the investigative process. For a transparent investigation, the services of an independent agency were necessary. “The CBI may have its faults, but it is the premier investigation agency and has the resources necessary to get to the truth,” he said.

Draft Direct Taxes Code proposes moderate rates

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday proposed to tax income up to Rs. 10 lakh at 10 per cent, while under the existing regime this relief is limited to people with an income of Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh.

Income between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 25 lakh will be taxed at 20 per cent and earnings thereafter will attract a rate of 30 per cent, as per the draft of the new Direct Taxes Code that seeks to improve the efficiency and equity of the tax system by eliminating distortions in the structure, bringing about moderate levels of taxation and expanding the base.

Releasing the code that proposes to consolidate and amend the law relating to all direct taxes — income tax, dividend distribution tax, fringe benefit tax and wealth tax — and ultimately replace the Income Tax Act of 1961, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that if a reasonable discussion took place on the draft code, a Bill could be placed in the winter session of Parliament.

The draft code proposes a new, substantially liberalised tax rate for individual tax-payers. For example, in the case of every individual other than women and senior citizens, the code does not propose to levy any income tax on a total annual income of up to Rs.1.6 lakh.

Slabs

The code proposes 10 per cent income tax if the total yearly income exceeds Rs. 1.6 lakh but does not exceed Rs.10 lakh. It proposes two other slabs: where the total income exceeds Rs.10 lakh but does not exceed Rs. 25 lakh and it proposes a tax of Rs. 84,000 plus 20 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.10 lakh; where the total income exceeds Rs. 25 lakh, it proposes Rs. 3.84 lakh plus tax at the rate of 30 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 25 lakh.

Currently, the general income tax payer does not pay tax up to Rs. 1.6 lakh of income in a year. However, he pays 10 per cent tax on income between Rs. 1.6 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh, 20 per cent between Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh, and 30 per cent beyond Rs. 5 lakh.

“We expect to have better compliance and better collection of taxes. The attempt is to simplify the language to enable better comprehension and remove ambiguity to foster voluntary compliance,” Mr. Mukherjee said.