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Saturday,
March 15, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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PM asks KVIC to pay taxes on products
TODAY IS WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY
Punjab biggest market for Rado watches
Trade stagnant over VAT uncertainty |
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Trade bandh against VAT on March 31
Labour Ministry to meet RBI on EPF rate
Oberoi honoured
Diesel version of Palio launched
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PM asks KVIC to pay taxes on products New Delhi, March 14 Inaugurating the three-day national convention on rural industrialisation organised by the Khadi and Village Industries Board in association with the Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries, Mr Vajpayee emphasised on the connectivity of villages - physical connectivity by way of rail and road and electronic connectivity by internet and phone — for the growth of rural industrialisation. Connectivity is being given high priority by the government, he said, citing the ongoing road projects. He said the Golden Quadrilateral Project would be a boon not only for the metros, it would also help entrepreneurs in the rural areas to gain easy access to markets. Efficient roads could save fuel worth up to Rs 8,000 crore and that money could be spent for the growth of the rural sector. Stating that nearly 80 lakh self-employment opportunities were created last year, the Prime Minister pointed out that while sectors like infrastructure and house building were generating more employment, in case of offices job opportunities were on the decline. Mr Vajpayee also appreciated the role played by the KVIC in generating rural employment in the country. However, another 1.6 lakh villages still remain to be connected to the KVIC network, he said. The rural sector offers the greatest potential for widespread development and employment generation, the Minister of State for Agro and Rural Industries, Mr Sandh Priya Gautam, said. He emphasised on technological intervention for improving productivity of rural areas.
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TODAY IS WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY How many times have you gone to the market and faced the dilemma of choosing between two or more equally aggressively marketed products? All of us irrespective of our vocation or background — be it engineering, house keeping — find ourselves sooner or later, in a situation where we are made to feel that we all really are — very common consumers, helpless in the face of smart advertising and claims in making a simple purchase. Today in a world that is characterised by change in everything from lifestyles to the state of our natural resources, nothing is simple and making decisions in even purchasing a soap can be complicated. Therefore, standardisation of consumer products can go a long way in ensuring their quality and to bring quality to the centre stage in the market, it is necessary to create an alert and knowledgeable consumer who with similarly armed brethren can make an effective pressure group. The government took a major initiative towards consumer welfare by enacting the Consumer Protection Act in 1986. BIS is making its own contribution in consumer education through its various offices with its Consumer Affairs Department established in the Headquarters at New Delhi as the nodal point. The main functions of BIS include preparation and implementation of strandards, operation of certification schemes both for products and systems, organisation and management of testing laboratories, creating consumer awareness and maintaining close liaison with international standards bodies. With its headquarters at Delhi, BIS has five regional offices at Kolkata, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. It has 19 branch offices in the country. BIS is developing need-based standards in accordance with national priorities with the help of over 20,000 technical experts as members of the technical committees. The standardisation projects are properly screened within BIS to ensure their usefulness. Presently, more than 17,500 Indian Standards are in force covering important segments of the economy which help the industry in upgrading the quality of their goods and services. BIS Product Certification Marks Scheme provides the consumer an assurance of product quality conforming to national standards. Today, BIS has more than 16,000 operative licences covering around 1000 different items ranging from food products to electronics. This scheme is basically voluntary in nature. However, keeping in view the safety, health and mass consumption of certain products, it has been made mandatory for items like LPG cylinders, food colours, mineral water and drinking water, cement etc. In order to protect the common consumer against unscrupulous traders and manufacturers misusing the BIS Standard Mark, enforcement search and seizures are carried out by various offices of BIS and, if necessary, prosecution cases filed in the court of law. Keeping in view, the consumer interest and market demand, gold jewellery certification (popularly known as Hallmarking of gold jewellery) was started in the year April 2000 on a voluntary basis. The scheme is aimed at providing third party assurance to consumers on the purity of gold or its fineness. This scheme is operated through BIS network of regional and branch offices all over the country. As on today, 12 Hallmarking Centres have been recognised for this purpose and around 500 jewellers have been certified under this scheme. With a view to facilitate certification of foreign/imported products and ensure that the levels of quality prescribed in national standards are adhered to in import of goods, BIS has introduced certification scheme for foreign manufacturers and certification scheme for importers. Under the provisions of these schemes, foreign manufacturers can seek certification from BIS for making their products with BIS Standard Mark and Indian importers can also seek BIS certification for applying BIS Standard Mark on the products being imported into the country. Under BIS Certification schemes for foreign manufacturers, 25 licences have been granted so far. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade of Ministry of Commerce has issued a notification making compliance to export to Indian Standards covered under BIS Mandatory Certification Scheme mandatory. For compliance to this requirement, all foreign manufacturers of these products intending to India will be required to obtain a BIS product certification licence. Protection of the interest of consumer is of vital importance. A key element of consumer satisfaction relates to the quality of products and services made available to them. Conscious of its role, the Bureau has, from the very beginning been engaged in promoting the cause of common consumers through its standardisation, quality assurance and certification activities. BIS has a full-fledged Consumer Affairs Department with specific mandate of providing consumer protection, welfare, dealing with public relations and Public Grievance Officers are designated at each and every office of BIS who can be approached for any grievance with respect to BIS activities. Author is Deputy Director-General, BIS
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Punjab biggest market for Rado watches Chandigarh, March 14 This was disclosed here today by Mr Peter Kaeser, Vice President, Rado Watch Co. Switzerland, in a talk with mediapersons. He said Swatch group which also included the world famous Rado brand were a favourite with people of all age groups. Incidentally, Punjab had become the biggest market in the world for Rado watches. “This is possibly because Punjabis like to live life to the full. Earlier, Mr Kaeser
accompanied by Rado brand ambassadress, renowned model and actress Lisa Ray visited the posh Ethos in Chandigarh for a signature campaign this morning. Ethos showcases the entire Rado collection. Mr G. Kannan, Country manager, Swatch Group India, Pvt Ltd., said, “Rado is the most familiar and popular brand in this state and we are growing rapidly. Out extensive presence in this new showroom is a reflection of our commitment to the Punjab market. We will continue to offer our discerning Punjabi buyers the entire range of Rado’s international collection.” Applauding the showroom, Lisa Ray, said, “It’s a great honour to represent Rado’s brand equity in India and at the same time equally exciting to be part of their innovative initiatives”. This showroom is certainly one of the finest I have seen.” First introduced in 1957, the brand name Rado was built up to its market leadership in just 40 years, with a strong international brand image, it has the distinction of manufacturing the world’s first scratch proof watch that retains its beauty and luster for years on end. Rado combines futuristic materials like high tech ceramics and sapphire with distinctive design, giving its product that jewellery grade appearance while guaranteeing functionality, quality and durability. Made from high tech material that is scratch proof and extremely durable and very stylised. it has won many awards around the world for its innovative design and use of material, making it to the
Guinness Book of World records for the most indestructible watch. Rado is for those who want to make that futuristic style statement.
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Trade stagnant over VAT uncertainty The industrial segment of Punjab’s economy is in dire straits. The prices of inputs are going towards North while those of finished products are moving towards South. Banks are tightening their purse for the small borrower. To top this situation, uncertainty on VAT and Iraq was is taking a heavy toll. Due to uncertainty on VAT sales and purchase are almost stagnant. The mess on VAT is government’s own creation. The states have chosen to show their legislative skills on VAT as if they are not getting opportunity otherwise. Businesses were happy on the concept of VAT with the understanding that sales tax matters will become simple and some other local taxes will be merged to reduce the harassment. States have legislated VAT draft in such a manner that even the well-established business unit cannot comply with the provisions. VAT is certain to reduce evasion. It is estimated that on an average 50 per cent of sales tax in the country is evaded. Over skill in legislation is perhaps depriving the states of the hefty amount of sales tax which is being evaded. Take the case of Punjab. The VAT Act, 2003, provides for fresh registration under VAT by paying a fee of Rs 500. What is the need? Registered dealers under Punjab General Sales Tax will automatically shift to VAT. New entrants can be registered. The number of new entrants is also very large. Then, the entry procedure is so elaborate and complicated that it frightens the entrants. Who are these people? Small shopkeepers and entrepreneurs in the tiny sector. A dealer has to get audit of accounts if the turnover exceeds Rs 40 lakh. This provision also exists in income tax. There are so many other formalities that an average dealer cannot comply with. Why add more and put unnecessary financial burden? Section 39 gives sweeping powers to the officers on search and seizures. They have the power to verify cash. Officer can remove every valuable article or thing besides the books of accounts. If any dealer is found contravening according to VAT rules, his registration can be cancelled. Besides, stocks in business premises can be seized if found surplus. However, this involves cumbersome procedures. The impact of VAT in terms of tax burden will increase manifold on certain segments. There are units which enjoy sales tax exemption. As per VAT rules, input credit will not be available to them. Moreover, anybody purchasing goods from these units will not get credit. As a result, this category of dealers will close down. Input credit on CST is a must. It will not be available. The Punjab Act provides that input credit on interstate sale will be available over and above 4 per cent. The Central Government has announced that CST will be 2 per cent from April 1. How to rationalise these contradictions? Although the Punjab Government announced that prosecution provisions have been withdrawn, certain provisions still exist anybody found dishonest can be prosecuted. The label of dishonesty can be arbitrary. The draconian provisions in the VAT Act have to be rationalised in consultation with the businesses. With these in place the dealers have the right to oppose the implementation of VAT. The responsibility to mar the introduction of a good system in the country squarely lies with the government’s themselves. |
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Trade bandh against VAT on March 31 Ludhiana, March 14 Amritsar: Petroleum Dealers Association has decided to go on strike on March 20 to protest against the imposition of value added tax (VAT) system, said Mr V.S. Chhatwal, President of the association.
OC
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Labour Ministry to meet RBI on EPF rate
New Delhi, March 14 “We may have a meeting with Reserve Bank of India along with finance ministry officials. In the last meeting with the Finance Minister (Jaswant Singh), a suggestion was that there should be a meeting with RBI,” Minister of Labour Sahib Singh Verma told PTI here. He said as of now there has been no move to cut the interest rates on EPF and no communication to that effect has been received from the finance ministry, adding “if we continue to get the same rate of interest on what we had invested earlier, then may be that we continue with 9.5 per cent (the current rate).” Asked whether such a rate cut is likely if there is any sizeable impact due to the proposed one per cent cut interest rate on Special Deposit Scheme (SDS), Singh said he was collecting the details and was yet to talk to Finance Minster, as there was no communication to his ministry so far. The Centre had earlier
aligned the interest rates to yields from government securities. PTI
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Oberoi honoured New Delhi, March 14 This annual award is given to those who have demonstrated leadership and is voted upon by an Advisory Board comprising leaders of the hospitality industry, investment banks, travel writers and hospitality consulting companies. Popularly known as “Biki”, Mr Oberoi is the son of Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi, the founder of the Oberoi Group. Mr Oberoi has been instrumental in pioneering the development of new Oberoi hotels and resorts.
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Diesel version of Palio launched
New Delhi, March 14 The Palio diesel will be offered in three versions — EL, ELX, ELX SP — and will be commercially available in starting from March 17, 2003 in all the states except Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka and Jharkand where it will be available from March 18, 2003. Mr Alberto Montanari, CMD, Fiat India, that the company was expecting to sell about 42,000 cars this year of which diesel variants will account for about 25 per cent.
TNS
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