GST Council to decide on simplified GST return in July 21 meet: Goyal
New Delhi, July 12 : The GST Council will discuss ease of filing returns, ease of assessment and may also consider further rationalisation of tax rates in its upcoming meeting on July 21, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.
He said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council had been responsive to industry demands and it will take the final call on further tax rate rationalisation based on achieving the right balance with revenue.
"The GST Council has already reduced rates on 328 items... there may be further rate reduction where there is a meritorious reason. It has to be in balance with revenue consideration," Goyal told reporters here.
According to the government data, revenue collection under GST in June crossed Rs 95,000 crore, higher than the average monthly collection of Rs 89,885 crore during 2017-18.
During the upcoming meeting, the Council is also expected to take a call on the simplified return filing process based on recommendations of the committee headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi.
Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia had earlier said that GST had now entered a "smooth phase" with good tax compliance and that the priority of the government would now be simplification of tax return forms.
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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.
