CM Siddaramaiah says 3-yr-old tax arrears won't be pursued, traders call off strike
Bengaluru, Jul 23 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday announced that the state government will not pursue tax notices issued to traders for arrears on exempted goods and services over the past three years. Following this, traders agreed to call off their planned strike on July 25 in the city.
The protest had been triggered by tax notices linked to Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transactions, with traders in parts of Bengaluru and across Karnataka "calling for a boycott of UPI payments."
According to the Commercial Taxes Department, around 6,000 such notices were issued across the state based on UPI transaction data.
"Old tax arrears will not be pursued, provided all such traders register under the GST and begin paying GST moving forward," Siddaramaiah added.
"I told the traders not to go on strike or stage a demonstration at Freedom Park. They have agreed to withdraw their agitation," the chief minister told reporters after meeting with the trader community.
Siddaramaiah said, "We will not collect taxes from traders dealing in exempted goods, even if notices have been issued. I have also instructed officials not to pursue cases related to notices for clearing arrears from the past two to three years."
Trade bodies, including those from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), raised concerns about confusion among small traders over GST notices, many of which include loan amounts and personal transactions.
The chief minister said the government will not pursue these arrears and will ensure traders do not face problems—provided they register with the Commercial Tax Department.
"Traders must register. Registration is mandatory because everyone needs to be brought within the tax net," he said.
He clarified that businesses dealing exclusively in exempted goods will not be required to register.
"We will not pursue notices pertaining to goods and services that are exempted—such as bread, milk, essential food items, fruits and vegetables, flowers, and tender coconut," Siddaramaiah explained.
He also announced the setting up of a helpline.
"There is no need to register with the Commercial Taxes Department for exempted goods. We will not take any action regarding such notices," the chief minister reiterated.
The chief minister, in a statement, clarified that notices were issued only to traders with UPI transactions exceeding Rs 40 lakh, primarily to prompt GST registration.
Siddaramaiah reaffirmed his commitment to supporting small traders and ensuring lawful business practices.
He said the government will assist in timely tax payments and strengthen the existing helpline for better accessibility.
Karnataka ranks second in India in GST collection and shares 50 per cent of its GST revenue with the Centre, as determined by the GST Council chaired by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, according to the statement from the chief minister’s office.
The government reiterated its focus on empowering small traders and boosting purchasing power through various initiatives.
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'Homebound' makes it to Oscar shortlist for best international feature
Mumbai (PTI): Neeraj Ghaywan's much acclaimed "Homebound" is among the 15 films shortlisted in the best international feature category at the Oscars, moving a step close to the final five nominations and maybe a win.
The movie, inspired by a true story that became the basis of a news article during the pandemic, has been creating a global buzz since its debut in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival this May.
Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese is a fan and has come onboard as an executive producer ahead of the award season.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, "Homebound" is Ghaywan's second movie after "Masaan".
"Homebound" will compete for an Oscar nomination alongside Argentina's “Belén”, Brazil's “The Secret Agent”, French drama "It Was Just an Accident”, Germany's "Sound of Falling” and Iraq's "The President's Cake".
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The other movies in the shortlist include Japan's “Kokuho”, Jordan's “All That’s Left of You”, Norway's “Sentimental Value”, Palestine's “Palestine 36”, South Korean hit “No Other Choice”, Spain's “Sirat”, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, “Left-Handed Girl”from Taiwan and Tunisian drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a release on Tuesday.
The award for best foreign film, now re-categorised as best international feature, has so far eluded India.
Only three Indian films have received nominations in the category -- Mehmood Khan’s “Mother India”, Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay” and Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Lagaan”. Deepa Mehta’s “Water”, starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray, also received a nomination but it was submitted from Canada.
Gujarati film "Chhello Show" in 2023 was the last film to get shortlisted.
Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to get an Oscar, bagging the coveted prize in 1983 for the film "Gandhi". Other than her, A R Rahman, Resul Pukootty and M M Keeravani have also won individual Oscars.
Team "Homebound" celebrated the shortlist news with posts on social media.
"We made the shortlist... Way to go team Homebound'!" Johar shared in Instagram Stories.
In a post, the producer said it was difficult for him to articulate how "proud and elated" he was with the news.
"All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography... thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true... from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film! Upwards and onwards...."
Ghaywan also shared the news on X.
"#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world," he wrote on X with a special poster of the film.
Jethwa, who plays one of the two friends in the story opposite Ishaan Khatter, said the moment feels "surreal and incredibly humbling".
"To see 'Homebound' being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of. I am deeply grateful for the love and support the film has received from audiences around the world," he said as he acknowledged Johar, Ghaywan and co-star Khatter and the rest of the team.
Khatter also shared the news on his Instagram stories and wrote, "Oscar ab dur nahi".
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"Homebound" is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's The New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home”, also titled "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway".
The film portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and Dalit who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied due to their surnames.
The Academy on Tuesday also announced shortlists in 11 other categories, including the newly added casting Oscars, animated shorts, cinematography, documentary feature, documentary short, original score and song, sound and visual effects categories.
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Twenty-four categories will be awarded at the 98th Oscars. Each category has five nominees, except for best picture, which has 10.
The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
