28 per cent GST tax slab should go, says Sisodia
New Delhi, July 21 : Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the government should either completely abolish the 28 per cent tax bracket or reserve it only for "sin goods."
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 28th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting, he said: "I believe 28 per cent tax should be only for sin goods, in fact, the government should completely abolish the 28 per cent tax bracket."
Sisodia, who holds the Finance portfolio, said that the Delhi government has also "adopted the returns model by Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani", which will require taxpayers to file a single GST return, replacing three returns - GSTR 1, 2, 3 and the summarised return GSTR 3B.
Under the earlier system, returns filed under forms GSTR-1 (sales) and GSTR-2 (purchase) were automatically matched with GSTR-3 to ensure that the claims made by the taxpayer were correct. Currently, taxpayers are filing GSTR 3B and GSTR 1 and claiming input tax credit.
But, according to the Nilekani model, input tax credit will be available only after uploading invoices.
Sisodia said that after the amendments, "the taxpayers with a turnover up to Rs 5 crores will only have to file quarterly returns now."
He further accused the central government of allegedly taking Rs 3 crores of funds originally assigned for Delhi.
"This issue was also taken up by Pondicherry in the meeting. The central government cheated Delhi by keeping Rs 3 crores of GST funds originally assigned for the national capital," he said.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
