&w=3840&q=100)
GST burden on small traders: Bommai urges CM Siddaramaiah to intervene
In a post on social media platform X, Bommai said the move has come as a "GST shock" to small business owners and is "highly condemnable."
"The action of the Karnataka State Government's Commercial Taxes Department in imposing a GST shock on small and micro-business owners is highly condemnable. Under the GST law, there are certain concessions for conducting business transactions. There is a system where tax must be paid after availing those concessions," his post read.
He further said that in this matter, the State Commercial Taxes Department, in haste, has imposed taxes for several years along with interest and other charges, placing a heavy burden on small roadside business owners, pushing them to a situation where they may have to shut down their businesses, which is unacceptable to anyone.
"By inviting representatives of the concerned small business owners for discussions and providing them with all kinds of concessions, assistance should be extended to them under the tax settlement scheme, just as it is done for other taxpayers. I demand that the measures taken in other states regarding this issue be implemented here as well, keeping in mind the interests of small business owners and consumers," he further said.
"I urge Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene in this matter immediately and provide relief to small business owners. Amid discussions at the highest levels of the Commercial Taxes Department, it is said that this action was taken due to financial difficulties in the state, an empty treasury, and a shortfall in tax collection in the first quarter of this year, prompting such stringent measures out of panic. In this context, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah must provide a solution to this issue," he added.
He urged that representatives of the affected small traders be called for discussions and that they be granted all possible concessions. Just as assistance is extended to taxpayers under the Karasamadhana Scheme, similar support should be extended to these small traders.
Bommai further stated that other states have already taken appropriate measures in this regard, and such measures must be adopted in Karnataka as well, keeping in mind the interests of small traders and consumers.
He noted that due to financial constraints and a shortfall in tax collections during the first quarter of this fiscal year, the state treasury is under pressure. As a result, the Commercial Tax Department has taken this harsh step in haste, following instructions from the top. Given this background, he insisted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah must step in and offer a suitable remedy.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
50% fall in tourists taking Palace on Wheels; RTDC,private co play blame game
Jaipur: Occupancies have fallen by over 50% in the state's flagship heritage tourist train, Palace on Wheels, in the past two years, with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) raising contractual violations by the private company which had taken up operations in 2023-24 at its review meeting on Monday, sources said. In 2024-25, the number of tourists taking the luxury train fell to 685 compared to 811 the year before. In fact, the number has come down to less than 50% when compared to FY19 and FY20, when over 1,500 tourists took the train. In 2023-24, the train was leased to a private company for operation and management (O&M) with an annual fee of Rs 5 crore with an additional 18% on revenues. RTDC officials say the private company is delaying the payments. Even though it recently paid the annual fees, it has not yet deposited the GST. Sources also blamed the laxity of RTDC for the issue. The private company, in a letter to the RTDC MD, stated that the GST was a dispute that had to be resolved. While RTDC chairman Rajesh Yadav reviewed the performance of the train Monday, sources said several contractual violations had come to the notice, for which the corporation was equally responsible, without giving the details. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's Genius for Learning Languages [See Why] Talkpal AI Undo The major contentious issue between the O&M company and RTDC is the discount given to general sales agents who book tickets for the train. "The private operator of the train has given discounts of up to 40% to sales agents, overshooting the 18% stipulated in the agreement. If the discounts are high, then the corporation loses revenue," said the source. Similarly, the private operator is liable to pay about Rs 75 lakh interest on payment delays, which the RTDC has not pursued in earnest. However, the O&M company is contesting the interest liability. Also, there has been a diversion of destinations, which was not addressed by the corporation. Sources in the corporation alleged violations of the contract as space for the spa and gym in the train was reduced in the name of renovation to make room for an additional berth. Similarly, all income that needed to come to the escrow account did not happen, sources said. The account was mandated by the agreement, but RTDC overlooked the irregularities. While the private company has said that the bookings have been affected due to the reduction in foreign tourist arrivals, the tourism department's numbers show an increase. The arrival of foreign visitors crossed the pre-Covid level in 2023-24 and 2024-25, according to the department. In 2024, 20.68 lakh foreign tourists visited Rajasthan, up from the pre-Covid peak of 17.54 lakh.
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Is J&K Getting Statehood Back? Flurry Of Secret Meetings Spark Speculations Ahead Of Article 370 Abrogation Anniversary
New Delhi/Srinagar: Six years after the abrogation of Article 370, a flurry of closed-door meetings between India's top leadership and the President of India has triggered speculation about the possible restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. The timing of the meetings, ahead of August 5 (the Article 370 abrogation anniversary), has fuelled further speculation across political circles and online platforms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 3, but no official statement was released following the meeting. That same evening, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited the President for a one-on-one discussion. The back-to-back nature of these visits, both unaccompanied by formal press releases, caught the attention of observers. The buzz intensified as Shah separately held a series of other meetings. Among those he met were Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sat Sharma, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta and All J&K Shia Association President Imran Raza Ansari. These interactions came as the Centre reportedly firmed up plans for a key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs' meeting scheduled for today (August 5). While no official agenda has been made public, the sequence of developments has set off widespread speculation that a major policy announcement regarding Jammu and Kashmir could be on the horizon, possibly including a legislative step towards restoring statehood. Social Media and Analysts React Social media users and political commentators have been quick to pick up the signals. Retired Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon, widely followed by key defence leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, cautioned against haste. 'There is a lot of speculation about what may be announced on August 5. The peace in Kashmir has come at a great cost. We should not rush into any hasty decision. The consolidation phase is still going on,' Dhillon wrote on X (formerly Twitter). There is a lot of speculation about what may be announced tomorrow (5th Aug). The peace in Kashmir has come about at a great cost of human lives of security forces personnel and innocent civilians. It's fragile still as was evident from the Pahalgam terror attack. For the sake… — KJS DHILLON (@TinyDhillon) August 4, 2025 Six years after abrogation of #Article370, #Kashmir is undergoing a historic transformation. From record tourism to world-class infrastructure, J&K is no longer trapped in inertia. The Chenab Rail Bridge, AIIMS, Vande Bharat, & Smart Cities— KASHMIR BADAL RAHA HAI!@TinyDhillon — Sehrish Bashir (@SehrishB_) August 4, 2025 Geopolitical analyst Arti Tikoo Singh echoed similar concerns. She said there was widespread chatter about the potential division of Jammu and Kashmir into two separate states. 'Strong rumours are circulating that the Centre might grant statehood. What is even more bizarre is that rumour mills are suggesting that Kashmir and Jammu will be separated and reorganised. If either is true, nothing could be more disastrous,' she said. Strong rumours are circulating in Jammu & Kashmir that the Centre may grant statehood to the Union Territory on the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. That is, tomorrow. What's even more bizarre is that rumour mills are suggesting that Kashmir and Jammu will be… — Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) August 4, 2025 Another user wrote, 'Is GOI going to give J&K complete statehood? It would be surprising and ill-timed.' Is GOI going to give J&K complete statehood? It would be surprising, and ill timed. 5th August is already historic enough. The government has no need to be compulsive about doing something historic every 5th of August. Give 5 more years at least to settle down things in J&K. — MIMAMSA (@MimamsaSutras) August 4, 2025 Govt. may avoid needless rush in decision that may undo whatever gain has been made. @TinyDhillon knows abt J&K much more than many politicians. — Chandrahas Shetty. (@chan_sim) August 4, 2025 Absolutely bang on target EVER IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS PLEASE READ THIS TWEET... IT'S FEELING OF WHOLE NATION... — Aditya Sharma (@adisonu31may) August 4, 2025 The Long Road Since August 5, 2019 On August 5, 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The region's special constitutional status was scrapped and its legislative powers were transferred to the Centre under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. Since then, both Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah have repeatedly spoken about restoring statehood, but no formal timeline has been offered. In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 and asked the Centre to restore statehood 'at the earliest'. The government, in response, assured the court that it would do so. But no concrete move has followed. The demand for statehood regained momentum in 2024 after Assembly elections were held for the first time in over 10 years. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, in alliance with the Congress, pressed for full restoration of statehood. The April 22 Pahalgam attack momentarily dampened the campaign, but the Congress resumed its demand during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, including a protest at Jantar Mantar. Will Fresh Elections Be Part of the Deal? Reports also suggest that the Centre might tie the restoration of statehood to the holding of fresh Assembly elections, replacing the current UT-based legislative structure. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah commented on this possibility in June. 'I have read that statehood will be restored, but Assembly elections would have to be held afresh. Let them do it, who has stopped them?' he told reporters. For now, the series of meetings and rising political chatter signal that a major announcement regarding Jammu and Kashmir may not be far off. But until an official word comes, statehood remains an open question and one that continues to stir political and public debate.
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Economic Times
Parliament Watch: Centre halts MGNREGS, housing funds to Bengal, vacancies on NCS portal, and more
Centre halts MGNREGS, housing funds to West Bengal over 'misuse' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Off-budget borrowing DBT led to savings Vacancies on NCS portal Employment generation GST evasion tops Rs 7 lakh crore in last 5 years The Centre informed Parliament on Monday that it has halted the release of funds to West Bengal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G), following the detection of financial misappropriation and violations of guidelines by the state.'In the case of West Bengal, inspection reports from central teams highlighted implementation issues such as financial misappropriation, execution of nonpermissible activities, splitting of works, and a lack of transparency and accountability,' minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. He added that the Ministry of rural development had issued several communications to the state government seeking corrective action, but 'no noticeable improvements were observed.' 'Consequently, the release of funds to the state of West Bengal has been stopped since March 9, 2022, under Section 27 of the Act, due to non-compliance with Central government directives,' he finance ministry informed Parliament on Monday that Maharashtra recorded the highest off-budget borrowing of `13,990 crore in FY25—almost double the `7,700 crore in the previous financial year. This was followed by Karnataka and Telangana, which reported off-budget borrowings of `5,438 crore and `2,697 crore, respectively, minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. Off-budget borrowings refer to loans raised by certain state public sector undertakings, special purpose vehicles (SPVs), and similar entities, where the principal and/or interest is serviced from the state of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and other governance reforms has led to the removal of duplicate and fake beneficiaries, and the plugging of leakages, said minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary, noting that these measures have resulted in estimated savings or benefits amounting to `4,31,138.05 crore (up to FY24).Over 6.43 crore vacancies have been mobilised on the National Career Service portal across more than 48 lakh employers registered on the platform, Shobha Karandlaje, minister of state for labour and employment, said in response to a question in the Lok Sabha on Monday. She said over 25 MoUs have been signed with prominent companies to enhance employment generated 17 crore jobs in the 10 years of the Modi government, a significant leap from three crore in the previous decade under UPA rule, labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in response to a question in the Lok Sabha on Monday, citing Reserve Bank of India government told Parliament on Tuesday that tax authorities have detected Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion of about `7.08 lakh crore in the last five years up to the 2024–25 fiscal, including input tax credit (ITC) fraud of about `1.79 lakh crore. In the last fiscal alone, the Central GST officials detected 30,056 cases of GST evasion involving `2.23 lakh crore, minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha in a written reply. He added that the government is taking various steps to prevent tax evasion, such as e-invoicing, GST analytics, system-flagged mismatches, and selection of returns for scrutiny and of taxpayers for audit based on various risk parameters.
