Latest news with #Rs40
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh govt sets minimum wage at Rs40,000
The Government of Sindh has officially issued a notification setting a minimum monthly wage of Rs40,000 for unskilled workers employed in industrial and commercial establishments across the province. This new wage structure will be effective from July 1, 2025. Shahid Abdul Salam Thaheem, the Provincial Labour Minister, made the announcement, revealing the revised wage scale for different categories of workers. According to the new rates, semi-skilled workers will receive a monthly salary of Rs41,380, skilled workers will earn Rs49,628, and highly skilled workers will be paid Rs51,745. These rates apply to both registered and unregistered establishments across Sindh, ensuring that both male and female workers receive equal pay for equal work. The Minister emphasized that any establishment paying workers on an hourly basis will now be required to ensure a minimum of Rs192 per hour. This new provision aims to safeguard the rights of hourly wage workers and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their labour. Minister Thaheem reiterated that the Sindh government is committed to pro-labour policies and is taking concrete steps to guarantee better working conditions and improved wages for the workforce. He highlighted that this wage revision aims to mitigate the impact of inflation on workers and provide them with a dignified livelihood. "The revision of the minimum wage is a significant step towards alleviating the economic burden on workers, helping them cope with the rising cost of living," the Minister stated. He further assured that the Labour Department is in constant communication with industrialists and will ensure the strict enforcement of labour laws to protect workers' rights.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Demand in Uruli-Phursungi to merge back with PMC
Pune: Former corporators and some other residents of Uruli-Phursungi have demanded that the state merge the areas back with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) ahead of the civic poll. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The areas were merged with PMC in 2017 and removed in 2024, with a separate municipal council being formed. The aforementioned group of local residents wants the council scrapped and a return to the PMC administrative arrangement. They have submitted a memorandum to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Phursungi resident Sanjay Harpale said, "The council is not able to work effectively. The whole thing is a mere formality amid lack of manpower and funds, the latter being stuck with the state govt." The group said both villages had around 150 govt staffers to look after issues affecting the areas and it has reduced to 60 after the demerger. The annual revenue generation of the council is expected to be around Rs40 crore — insufficient for development works. "The demerger has caused more problems than improve the situation. Structured growth of infrastructure and civic facilities can gather pace only if the areas are attached to PMC, and thus our demand for a remerger," said Ranjit Raskar, a former gram panchayat member. A section of residents said they were getting facilities including scholarships for students and other health benefits, like dialysis, at discounted rates in civic hospitals while in PMC's jurisdiction. A large number of local residents from financially weaker sections used to gain from many such facilities which stood discontinued after the demerger. Civic officials said the initial proposal for merging 34 villages was approved in 2013-14. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now PMC included 11 villages in its jurisdiction in 2017 following court instructions. Nine villages were partially merged, while Uruli Devachi and Phursungi were fully integrated. PMC expanded to become the largest municipal corporation in the state after including 23 villages in July 2021. In Sept 2024, Uruli Devachi-Phursungi went through a demerger process after many residents raised the demand. Another section of residents said that for years, they have not had basic facilities like drinking water and are troubled by the poor road infrastructure. They have demanded the administration focus on such issues on priority. PMC had two elected members from both the areas. After the municipal council was formed, people's representation was hampered and, more so now, since the areas will not be considered for the delimitation process for civic poll likely to be held in Nov or Dec. Thus, the growing demand from former corporators and some residents.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Consumers pay bitter price for sweetener
In the digital age, there's no excuse for opacity as a transparent digital dashboard that tracks sugar from mills to wholesalers to retailers would make it harder for hoarders and profiteers to operate undetected. Photo: file Due to a lack of government attention, sugar prices have skyrocketed across the country, with an increase of up to Rs60 per kilogram at the retail level. Experts believe that the artificial sugar shortage is a direct result of inaccurate data and flawed decisions by federal institutions concerning sugar production and consumption. In the midst of this crisis, sugar profiteers have become active once again, manipulating prices in major markets across Lahore. The government's weak control has allowed profiteers to exploit the public, which is forced to buy sugar at inflated rates. In 2024, sugar was selling at Rs140 to Rs145 per kilo, but it is now being sold for Rs190 to Rs200 per kilo. The official DC rate remains at Rs145, but no retailer is selling at this price. Retailers argue that they themselves are getting sugar at higher prices. According to Sheikh Tanveer, the price of a 100kg sugar sack was Rs12,000 last year, but due to poor planning, it has now soared to Rs18,000 at the ex-mill rate. "Retailers make little profit, while the real beneficiaries are mill owners and sugar profiteers," said Tanveer. Even though the government claims to maintain complete records of sugar production and consumption, a crisis occurs every year. Citizens claim that due to poor government policies, they are forced to spend their hard-earned money buying sugar at inflated rates. This time, the price hike is not minimal, adding up to Rs40 per kilo. One citizen demanded that the Prime Minister take notice and act against those responsible. "But nothing ever happens in this country," he added. "Inflation robs us in broad daylight. It is the government's responsibility to control prices, yet no department seems to be doing anything," lamented the local. Sources have revealed that the same profiteers, who were previously targeted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with full force, including arrests and record seizures, are once again operating in an organized manner, as they dominate future sugar pricing, especially in markets like Lahore's Akbari Mandi and Karachi's Jodia Bazaar. The FIA had previously launched a strong crackdown, but suddenly and without explanation, the operation was called off. It is unclear whether this was due to the influence of powerful profiteers or fear within the government, but sources claim officials made personal gains during the process. Till date, not a single sugar profiteer has been brought under the law. According to the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the country produced 6.8 million tonnes of sugar during 20242025, which was 3 per cent more than the previous year. There was already a surplus of 7 million tonnes last year, prompting the government to allow exports. Despite sufficient availability, hoarders are now creating an artificial shortage once again, pushing sugar prices up to Rs200 per kilo. Currently, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) representatives have been deployed at sugar mills to prevent tax evasion. According to the FBR, this has improved tax recovery. Additionally, joint raids by the FBR and Intelligence Bureau are being conducted against hoarders across the country to stabilize prices. While there was no price hike during Ramadan, sugar prices have surged once again across the country. However, beyond targeting hoarders, no action has been taken against the profiteers responsible for driving up prices. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Food is preparing to spend valuable foreign exchange on sugar imports. Tendering has already begun, though the next sugarcane crushing season is scheduled to start in November. In this entire scenario, billions of rupees are being drained from the pockets of the poor, while neither the government nor the bureaucracy seems affected.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Court extends physical remand of key accused in Kohistan scandal
The Special Accountability Court in Peshawar has extended the physical remand of Ayub Khan, the main suspect in the Kohistan financial scandal, for an additional two days. The extension was granted following a request by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), represented by Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali, who was accompanied by the investigation officer. The court was informed that the accused, Ayub Khan, is involved in suspicious bank transactions and has also been found in possession of illegal assets. NAB revealed that the accused has submitted a plea bargain request, which is currently under review. Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali told the court that further interrogation of the accused is necessary. He added that the investigation into the Kohistan scandal, a scam worth Rs40 billion, is ongoing. NAB is working to identify all those involved, the extent of corruption, and recover stolen assets. For this purpose, the extension in remand was deemed essential. Granting NAB's request, the court extended the physical remand of the accused for another two days. According to NAB, the Kohistan scandal involves Rs40 billion, with eight suspects arrested so far. NAB has recovered Rs25 billion in the form of luxury vehicles, lavish bungalows, and apartments. In addition, a significant amount of cash has been frozen. Several individuals, including newly elected Senator Azam Swati, are currently out on protective bail.
Hans India
21-07-2025
- Business
- 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.
