Malayali tea-time snacks fall under 18% GST due to classification issues
Thiruvananthapuram: Several traditional Malayali snacks, including pazhampori (banana fritters), ada, unda, and undam pori, have been placed under the 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) bracket due to the lack of a specific Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) code.
According to Kiran S Palakkal, president of the Bakers Association of Kerala (BAKE), many regional delicacies, despite their short shelf life of less than 24 hours, are subject to high GST rates due to classification complexities in the taxation system.
Biju Prem Shankar, Chief Operating Officer of Kochi-based Fresh Products, explained that businesses manufacturing snacks must individually seek tax clarifications. "Only GST-paying companies can petition for classification changes, not associations," he stated. Fresh Products managed to get tax rulings on certain items, such as unniyappam (classified under 'sweet meat' and taxed at 5%) and chips (taxed at 12% under 'fried namkeen snacks').
However, the taxation disparities persist. Similar products sold at restaurants are taxed at only 5% under service goods, while those sold by manufacturers are subjected to higher rates. The variation in recipes and names across regions adds to the confusion.
Calls for a more uniform GST framework have been ongoing. Last year, Coimbatore-based restaurateur D. Srinivasan raised concerns over the inconsistent taxation of food items, citing cases where a plain bun is tax-free, but adding cream increases its tax to 18%.
Industry representatives argue that simpler and more consistent tax regulations would benefit both businesses and consumers, ensuring that traditional food items do not bear an undue financial burden.
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Tulah Clinical Wellness Sanctuary set to begin operations from April 2025
Kozhikode: The Tulah Clinical Wellness Sanctuary, a revolutionary wellness retreat combining traditional healing practices with modern medical advancements, is set to open in April 2025 in Chelembra, near Kozhikode Airport. Spread across 30 acres, this visionary project has been developed under the leadership of Faizal E. Kottikollon, founder and chairman of KEF Holdings. Built with an investment of ₹1,000 crore, Tulah aims to redefine global wellness by integrating Ayurveda, Chinese, and Tibetan medicine, yoga, meditation, sports rehabilitation, and genome-based treatments.
The sanctuary was soft-launched on February 22, attended by UAE Minister of Economic Affairs Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri and former NITI Aayog CEO and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.
Speaking about Tulah’s philosophy, Faizal Kottikollon emphasized the importance of design, nature, and mindful living. He explained that the sanctuary's architecture flows seamlessly with nature, enhancing a sense of peace and tranquility.
"Design plays a very important role in our lives because if you have a good flowing design, your mind is always calm. If your mind is calm, everything will be okay. That is why we chose a flowing architecture for Tulah," Faizal shared.
The sanctuary has been designed to preserve two of the oldest trees on the site, wrapping the entire structure around them without sharp corners. "When you step into Tulah, you will feel the peace. Everything is flowing, just like water. We have mountains in the background, and the architecture reflects that natural flow. That is the beauty of Tulah," he added.
Beyond physical wellness, Tulah also focuses on mental well-being, fitness, and longevity. "We, as human beings, are always looking for happiness and success, but how do we get there? That is where mindfulness, fitness, and nutrition come in. We are not compartmentalized beings—our wellness should be holistic," he explained.
Tulah also seeks to educate people on aging gracefully and increasing lifespan through better nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness. Faizal highlighted that Ayurveda, the world’s oldest medicinal system, recognized over 5,000 years ago that humans have the potential to live up to 120 years.
"Today, the average life expectancy in developed nations is around 82-83 years, while in developing nations, it is even shorter. This is largely due to lifestyle choices. Tulah will teach people how to live beyond 100 years through scientifically backed lifestyle changes," he said.
Tulah Clinical Wellness Sanctuary is designed to offer an all-encompassing healing experience, featuring 65 luxurious suites with panoramic views of the Western Ghats. It includes a dedicated sports rehabilitation center and sports medicine facilities for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
One of Tulah’s standout innovations is its organic medicinal garden, home to around 400 medicinal plants, with plans to expand it into a large-scale medicinal forest.
A groundbreaking feature of the sanctuary is the world’s first patented Ayurvedic oil bath bed, developed with European technical support. Unlike traditional wooden oil beds, this hygienic, scientifically advanced bed has secured patents in the European Union, the UK, and Asia.
Tulah is also pioneering genome-based treatments, offering personalized wellness programs based on an individual's genetic and microbiome analysis. These services will be made available through ‘Tulah Tech,’ an AI-powered online app.
Tulah Clinical Wellness Sanctuary is closely linked to Meitra Hospital in Kozhikode, a premier healthcare facility under KEF Holdings. This strategic partnership is expected to position Kerala as a global hub for medical value tourism, attracting international visitors seeking holistic healing and scientific wellness treatments.
Faizal Kottikollon has also announced ambitious plans to establish 100 Tulah Centers worldwide under the brand ‘Urban Tulah’. These centers, each spanning 10,000 square feet, will bring premium wellness solutions to major cities. The first Urban Tulah center is set to open in Dubai.
Faizal E. Kottikollon, the son of P.K. Ahmed, founder of Kozhikode-based Peekay Steel, has been a trailblazer in business, healthcare, and philanthropy. Alongside his wife, Shabana Faizal, he runs the Faizal & Shabana Foundation, which actively supports social and educational development initiatives.
Shabana hails from Mangaluru in Karnataka state of India. She is the only daughter of prominent businessman and socio religious leader Late B Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen who founded the prestigious BA Group of Businesses in Thumbay near Mangaluru.
Faizal E. Kottikollon, and Shabana Faizal
