India-Namibia relations deepen: From Project Cheetah to defence, trade and beyond
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Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
UPI tax notices spark trader revolt in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Karnataka's small traders are up in arms after the state Commercial Tax Department served notices demanding commercial tax payments from small bakeries, condiment shops, tea stalls and petty traders who have recorded UPI transactions above Rs40 lakh. Angered by the sudden notices, traders across Bengaluru have begun displaying signs reading 'No Google Pay, No PhonePe — Cash Only' at their shops to discourage digital payments that they fear might attract further tax demands. Owners of condiment stores, tea stalls, coffee outlets and petty shops have decided to shut their businesses on July 25 as a mark of protest. Pamphlets urging traders to observe the bandh have already been circulated. Traders are also planning an indefinite sit-in protest at Freedom Park from 10 AM on July 25. Adding to the unrest, vendors have warned that the sale of milk and dairy products could be disrupted from July 23, as a mark of symbolic protest. The backlash has grown louder after the department issued a Rs43 lakh tax notice to a vegetable vendor in Manjunatha Nagar. 'I've only been running this vegetable shop for two years. I've received two notices asking me to pay Rs43 lakh. If they force this, I'll have to shut shop and return to my hometown,' said Sagar, the distraught vendor. Some pushcart vendors have reportedly received notices too, deepening concerns among Bengaluru's small business community over the future of digital payments and compliance burdens.
Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
Commercial Taxes Dept sets up helpline to address graft
Bengaluru: The Commercial Taxes department has launched a dedicated helpline to combat corruption and ensure strict action against erring staff, to address complaints regarding bribe demands by officials concerning UPI-related matters. In a press release, the Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes said the department has received information through media and other sources that certain officers and staff have allegedly demanded bribes in connection with UPI-related issues. It has also come to the attention of the department that a few middlemen are demanding money from traders under the pretext of offering assistance in such matters, the department. Taking serious note of the issue, the department reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and assured that appropriate action would be taken against officials or staff found guilty. Traders have been urged to report any such incidents immediately by contacting the department's helpline at 18004256300, which is available from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm on working days.
Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
Namma Metro Yellow Line nears commercial launch
Bengaluru: Bengaluru'slong-awaited Yellow Line of the Namma Metro, connecting RV Road to Bommasandra, is finally nearing commercial operations, marking a significant milestone in the city's expanding metro infrastructure. Sources indicate that the official inauguration is likely to take place in August, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to flag off the service. Stretching over 19.15 kilometers, the Yellow Line is currently awaiting its final safety clearance from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), whose inspection is scheduled between July 22 and 25. While most technical certifications are in place—including the crucial Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) for the signalling systems—the green light from CMRS will be the final step before the line becomes operational. The ISA certification, essential for Metro safety protocols, has already been granted to the Yellow Line's signalling partner Siemens India Ltd in collaboration with Siemens AG and a government agency from Italy. With this, the only remaining requirement is the CMRS's inspection report, which will evaluate key elements like tracks, viaducts, signalling, station amenities, and infrastructure readiness. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is reportedly considering three operational strategies, which include full-service across all 16 stations, a shorter run between RV Road and Bommasandra with select stops, or operations limited between Bommasandra and Central Silk Board. Currently, BMRCL has three trains ready for deployment, with a fourth undergoing testing and likely to arrive by July 28. Preparations for the inauguration are already in motion, with BMRCL engaging a private firm to create a promotional documentary featuring drone visuals of the route and its modern amenities. This is expected to be showcased during the launch event in early August. The Yellow Line passes through prominent locations such as Bommasandra, Electronic City, Central Silk Board, BTM Layout, and Jayadeva Hospital, promising to ease commute for thousands of daily travelers in the city's southern tech corridor. With its launch, Bengaluru inches closer to a fully integrated metro network aimed at reducing traffic congestion and boosting public transportation efficiency.
