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Tamil Nadu News Papers

Relief for tax-payers

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Source : Deccan Chronicle Date : 07.07.2009

Relief for tax-payers

By Our Correspondent

July 6: Higher exemption limits and removal of surcharge on the higher salaried class would provide some, if not huge, relief to income tax payers.

Calculations suggest that the hike in the exemption limit by Rs 10,000 for individuals and women from the existing limits both categories of taxpayers stand to save tax of about Rs 1,030 per annum for income up to Rs 10 lakh.

Senior citizens on the other hand would now be able to save additional Rs 1,545 annually for the same level of income as the exemption limit for them have been increased by Rs 15,000.

In case of higher salaried class above Rs 10 lakh for whom the 10 per cent surcharge has been removed, the benefit would be much higher. Thus, those with an annual income of Rs 15 lakh stands to gain Rs 37,596, while individuals having an annual income of RSs 1 crore would now be able to save Rs 3 lakh. As per an estimate given by a portal dedicated to taxation issues, the total number of individuals having an annual income of Rs 10 lakh or more stand at 1,86,000.

The Union Budget for2009-10 has raised the exemption limit for general taxpayers by Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,60,000. For women taxpayers the exemptions limit has been increased by Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,90,000, while the exemption limit for senior citizens (65 years and above) has been raised by Rs 15,000 for senior citizens to Rs 2,40,000.

The raising of the exemption limit, in effect means that under the new income tax slabs, the tax liability for an individual having an income of below Rs 1,60,000 would be nil. Earlier, no tax liability stood for individuals having an annual income of below Rs 1,50,000.

Tax experts welcomed the changes in the personal income tax. “The changes in personal income tax structures are welcome step. The abolition of surcharge for individuals having an income of Rs 10 lakh or more, would lightened the tax burden to some extent for HNIs,” Uday Ved, head of tax, KPMG, told Financial Chronicle.

The finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, has also granted some relief to those who have dependents with severe disability undergoing treatment. “In addition to hike in exemption limit of personal income tax for various section, the deduction under section 80-DD in respect of maintenance including medical treatment of dependent with severe disability has been increased to Rs 1,00,000 from Rs 75,000. We would soon be releasing a discussion on direct tax code for public comment and a bill would be introduced for the same in the winter season,” said finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The finance minister has announced in budget speech that the income tax department would soon be introducing Saral II, which would make tax filing simple and faster.

The proposed direct tax code is basically an attempt to simplify tax related issues and deleting redundant income tax provision.

Mr Ketan Dalal, executive director, tax and regulatory services, Pricewaterhousecoopers, said that the new tax code was eagerly awaited.. “We are looking forward to the revamped tax code. Apart from increasing the exemption limit, the announcement of introducing direct tax code by next six months, is extremely welcome step,” Dalal said.

 

Mayor’s warning on illegal tapping of water

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Source : The Hindu Date : 07.07.2009

Mayor’s warning on illegal tapping of water

Staff Reporter

Panel to be formed to inspect all water connections

Photo: P. Goutham

Noisy scene: Cutting across party affiliation, councillors argue with the Mayor Rekha Priyadarshini at the Salem Corporation meeting on Monday. —

SALEM: Councillors of Salem Corporation, cutting across party affiliation, criticised the civic administration for the continuing problems in the city’s water distribution network.

A number of parts in the city were facing shortage in drinking water supply and the illegal tapping of water from the pipelines remains unchecked, councillors pointed out.

Raising the issue in the council meeting held here on Monday, Leader of the Opposition G. Venkatachalam (AIADMK) said many parts in the city were given water supply once in eight days. A few parts in the city were getting water supply once in 10 days.

A. Ramani (CPI) said almost all the residential colonies in Kondalampatti zone were facing severe water shortage.

Residents had staged a number of demonstrations in the zone as they were not getting adequate supply of water.

Dharmalingam (Congress) pointed out that several commercial establishments, particularly restaurants and hotels in the city, were illegally tapping water from the civic body’s main distribution pipelines.

The practice continues despite repeated representations from the people and the elected representatives. Officials continue to turn blind eye over this issue, he charged.

K.S.Palanisamy (DMK) wanted the civic body to monitor the quantum of water supplied by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board to the city through the Salem – Attur combined water supply scheme.

Mr. Venkatachalam also demanded an explanation from the civic officials for inordinate delay in the implementation of the dedicated water supply project.

The AIADMK members walked out of the council hall protesting against the civic body for its failure to ensure uniform supply of water.

Deputy Mayor C. Paneerselvam announced that a committee would be formed to inspect all the water connections and prevent illegal tapping of water from the Corporation’s pipelines.

Mayor J. Rekha Priydarshini promised that action would be taken against those who were found tapping water from the civic body’s pipelines illegally.

Corporation Commissioner K.S. Palanisamy was also present.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 July 2009 06:55
 

Council approves sewerage usage charges

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Source : The Hindu Date : 07.07.2009

Council approves sewerage usage charges

Special Correspondent

All set to implement the Rs. 377-crore drainage scheme

COIMBATORE: After a struggle for close to 10 years, the Coimbatore Corporation managed to get drainage connection and usage charges passed by the elected Council at its special meeting on Monday.

The underground drainage scheme for areas without sewers was proposed in 1998. But, discord among the parties in the Council over the charges blocked its take off. Now, the Corporation is set to implement it at Rs. 377 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

An all-party meeting held last week reached an accord over the rates.

The condition, however, was that the usage charges will be lower than the lowest among all the local bodies in the State.

The Council fixed Rs. 3,000 as the connection deposit for those who paid sums up to this amount as half-yearly Property Tax. Above this level, the tax amount would be the deposit charge.

As for the monthly service (or usage) charge, Rs.30 is the starting rate for residential buildings (up to 500 sq.ft.). The maximum amount is Rs.200.

Commercial buildings up to 500 sq ft will have to pay Rs.75. The rates vary with the sq ft and goes beyond Rs.1,000. For industrial buildings, the charges range from Rs.75 to Rs.500. It is Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000 for hospitals, Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,500 for lodges, Rs. 150 to Rs.5,000 for hotels. (Rs.5,000 is for five star hotels and those above this category). Cinemas with seats up to 1,000 should pay Rs. 350 and those with more seats have to pay Rs.1,000.

The Council also passed service charges for marriage and community halls, schools and colleges and every other building that were used for non-residential purposes.

Though monthly, the Corporation offered building owners the option of paying in bulk every six months along with the Property Tax.

On a suggestion from Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillor C. Padmanabhan, Mayor R. Venkatachalam announced that a committee of elected members would be formed to examine suggestions and objections from the public and other organisations concerned.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 July 2009 06:51
 


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