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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
SC rejects Commissioner IR's plea against LHC order
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court dismissed the petition of Commissioner Inland Revenue against the Lahore High Court (LHC) order, saying the findings on facts does not suffer from any illegality or error. The petitioner department had assailed the LHC, Rawalpindi bench's order dated 26.03.2025, whereby, reference application filed under Section 47 of the Sales Tax 1990 by the petitioner against the order dated 4.01.2024 passed by the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), Islamabad, was dismissed. A two-judge bench of Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard Commissioner Inland Revenue's appeal. The court noted that the show cause notice and the Order-in-Original passed by the Assistant Commissioner Inland Revenue in the instant case, against the respondents (M/s Mustafa Enterprises) are based on vague and frivolous allegations and certain conclusions have been made on mere presumptions only, whereas, no material or evidence has been produced to substantiate the same. The court further noted that while passing the Order-in-Original, the Assistant Commissioner Inland Revenue exceeded his jurisdiction while travelling beyond the very premises and the allegations made in the show cause notice, whereas, the respondents were never confronted with any such allegations or entries as reflected in the bank statement which were subsequently furnished by the respondents, showing the details of the total amount and the particulars of suppliers from whom purchases were made. It observed that while initiating the proceedings against the respondents, there was no material or evidence available on record to make out a case against the respondents of illegal or inadmissible claim of input tax adjustment, whereas, the entire proceedings and the Order-in-Original passed in the instant case was based on presumptions, whereas, no inquiry or verification was made by the department in respect of alleged fake/flying invoices. The SC judgment said that the ATIR and the Division Bench of LHC were justified to set aside both the Order-in-Original and the Order-in-Appeal, while recording concurrent findings on facts which does not suffer from any illegality or error. The proceedings in the instant matter were initiated by Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue Unit-IV Cantt Zone RTO, Rawalpindi vide show cause notice dated 10.08.2021, whereby, the respondents were required to submit the record to prove as to whether the purchases made for the (Tax Period July 2019 to June 2020) amounting to Rs323,722,601 against which an amount of Rs55,032,846 was claimed as input tax, were actually made by them. It was further alleged in the show-cause notice that the record submitted by the respondents does not prove as to whether such purchases were actually made by the respondents during subject period, therefore, they have also failed to comply with the requirements of Section 73 of the Act. It was concluded that respondents did not purchase any coal from the local suppliers and unlawfully claimed input tax on the basis of fake/ flying invoices issued by the dubious suppliers, therefore, caused loss to the national exchequer to the tune of Rs55,032,846 by violating the provisions 6,7,8,22,23,26 and 73 read with Section 2(37) of the Act. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
State, Union govts vie to celebrate Rajendra Chola birth anniv
Trichy: Birth anniversary celebrations of Rajendra Chola I have turned out to be grander this year with both the Tamil Nadu govt and the Union govt organising separate events to honour the emperor's legacy. The state govt's celebration of Aadi Thiruvathirai, the festival marking the birth anniversary of the Chola monarch, was jointly launched by ministers Thangam Thennarasu, S S Sivasankar, R Rajendran, and MP Saminathan in the presence of Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan on Wednesday at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple at Jayamkondam in Ariyalur district. The temple was built by Rajendra Chola. Tamil development minister M P Saminathan announced during the event that the state govt would install a 35-feet statue of Raja Raja Chola, the father of Rajendra Chola I. The statue would come up in the Rs55 crore Chola museum proposed at Thanjavur. Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu said the state govt has already allocated Rs22 crore to develop the grand museum. The ministers heaped praise on chief minister M K Stalin for sanctioning Rs19.2 crore to redevelop Cholagangam tank built by the king near the temple. Meanwhile, the Union govt organised parallel celebrations from Wednesday which will culminate in the cultural and spiritual events on July 27. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Enhance Online Presence and Get Customers [Try Now] Undo A PIB statement said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TN governor R N Ravi, Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and minister of state for parliamentary affairs L Murugan would participate in the celebrations on the day. State govt sources said CM M K Stalin was set to participate in the celebrations on Sunday with Modi. However it was cancelled due to his hospitalisation. It would be Thangam Thennarasu who is most likely to represent the state govt at the event. "Kalakshetra Foundation will present a Bharatanatyam performance, followed by Devaram Thirumurai chanting by traditional Othuvars. A booklet on Devaram hymns will be released. The festival will conclude with a musical presentation by maestro Ilaiyaraaja,'' said the statement. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will curate special exhibitions on Chola Shaivism and temple architecture, in addition to organizing heritage walks and guided tours, it added.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rains and low yield hike prices of ambia bahar oranges
1 2 Nagpur: Monsoon rains and fungal yellowing have severely affected the ambia bahar orange crop in the Vidarbha region, particularly in Amravati district. This has sparked concerns of a sharp dip in yield during the season, which typically runs from September to December. Experts estimate that only 25–30% of the expected crop is likely to be harvested this year. In this scenario, farmers who have managed to protect their orchards from weather adversities and infections are now hoping for higher returns. Local growers said that prices may soar to a record Rs4,000–Rs5,000 per thousand fruits, owing to intense competition among traders for high-quality produce. In Shirsgaon Kasba, Chandur Bazar taluka, traders not just from Amravati, Warud, Morshi, and Achalpur, but also from Sausar (Madhya Pradesh), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), and Rajasthan, have shown strong interest in purchasing orange orchards, said farmer Pushpak Khapre. "This high-rate buying has created a joyful atmosphere among orange growers. However, since only one-third of the crop remains across the entire orange belt, the benefit may not reach most farmers," Khapre added. "This year, while flowering occurred in many orchards, it did not translate into fruit production. In January, citrus psyllid disease caused the drying of tree tips during the flowering and budding phase, leading to a significant gap between the number of shoots and actual fruit development," he further explained. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Earlier this year, the price of mrig bahar oranges had touched Rs55,000 per tonne. Experts now predict that by September, high-quality fruits may fetch up to Rs60 per kilogram. In Amravati district, oranges are cultivated over 82,378 hectares, of which around 65,000 hectares fall under the Ambia Bahar season. However, the yield is expected to plunge this year due to February–March temperatures rising to 40°C — a crucial period for fruit setting. The heat led to poor fruit formation and widespread fruit drop. Farmers have demanded that the insurance trigger period under the restructured weather-based fruit crop insurance scheme be extended. "As oranges are an annual crop, insurance coverage should be available year-round. Losses due to strong winds should also be included in the scheme," said Khapre, who also serves as a district-level representative for the Fruit Crop Insurance Scheme. Shridhar Thakre, director of MahaOrange, admitted that ambia bahar orange crop will be less this year. "Compared to previous years, only 20–25% of Ambia Bahar oranges remain this season. Farmers should receive an average price of Rs40,000 per tonne for good-quality fruits," he said. Additionally, unseasonal rains in May adversely affected Mrig Bahar orchards, further disrupting farmers' financial cycles."
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Climate
- Business Recorder
PMD warns heavy rainfall today: First spell of monsoon rain brings disruption
KARACHI: The first spell of monsoon rain has brought widespread disruption to Karachi and several cities across Sindh and Balochistan, with urban flooding, water logging, and power outages affecting daily life. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of more heavy rainfall through Saturday, raising concerns about flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas. In Karachi, overnight showers turned streets into water channels in several neighbourhoods including Sher Shah Colony and SITE Town. Overflowing drains, stagnant rainwater, and sewage backflow created serious mobility and health challenges for residents. Electricity supply was also affected in many areas after water entered substations, leading to precautionary shutdowns. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that Karachi received between 2 mm and 17 mm of rain, while Mithi recorded 53 mm, Nawabshah 49 mm, and Hyderabad 43 mm. Other cities affected by the wet spell include Sukkur, Larkana, Thatta, Mirpur Khas, Badin, and Dadu. In addition to Sindh, parts of Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) also saw rainfall. The PMD has forecast more rain, wind, and thunderstorms in southern and north-eastern Balochistan, central and upper Sindh, and parts of Punjab and KP over the coming days. Officials have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert as moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal continue to fuel the weather system. The PMD also warned of possible damage to weak structures such as electric poles, billboards, solar panels, and kacha houses due to strong winds and lightning. In Murree, Galliyat, Swat, Dir, Mansehra, Kohistan, and other hilly areas, there is a risk of landslides which may disrupt road access. Flash floods may also occur in local streams and nullahs in parts of KP, southern Punjab, and Balochistan including Barkhan, Kalat, Lasbella, and Khuzdar. In Karachi, residents faced tough conditions on Friday morning as waterlogged streets made it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to move. Garbage mixed with rainwater formed pools of sludge, raising concerns about hygiene and disease. Political leaders responded with concern over the situation. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar addressed a press conference, highlighting what he termed the city's inadequate budget allocation in the recently announced Sindh budget. He noted that only Rs37.44 billion; around 1.1 percent of the Rs 3,451 billion budget was assigned to Karachi. He called for a development package of Rs500 billion for the city, proposing that each of Karachi's towns receive Rs2 billion and every union council Rs20 million. Comparing the current Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) budget of Rs55 billion with 2005's Rs43 billion, Monem pointed out the need for inflation-adjusted investments to meet the city's growing needs. JI leaders also raised concerns over funding for key federal projects in Karachi, such as the K-IV water scheme and the Karachi IT Park. Monem stated that their current allocations — Rs3.2 billion and Rs6 billion, respectively — fall far short of the required Rs40 billion and Rs42 billion. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader Maulana Azeemullah Usman, after visiting rain-hit areas in District Kemari, echoed similar concerns. He said that Sher Shah had been submerged within half an hour of rainfall, and stressed the need for immediate drainage and relief operations. He urged authorities to remain visible and responsive, especially in low-lying localities. By Friday evening, Karachi's temperature dropped to 29 degrees Celsius, with high humidity at 81 percent. Coastal areas remained under surge alerts due to high tides, further threatening vulnerable communities along the shore. As the weekend approaches, authorities continue to monitor the situation. Citizens are advised to follow official updates, avoid flooded areas, and take precautions to stay safe. Opposition leaders said that though rain offers relief from heat, its impact on cities like Karachi highlights the urgent need for long-term urban planning, upgraded drainage systems, and timely maintenance before each monsoon season. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
IIT-BHU selected as nodal centre for nat'l EV battery research
Varanasi: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), BHU has been selected as one of the seven key nodal centres under the govt of India's Mission for Advancement of High Impact Areas in Electric Vehicles (MAHA-EV), initiated by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. Chosen from among 227 proposals submitted nationwide, IIT-BHU will lead a national facility focused on battery degradation diagnostics and the development of safe, sustainable, and efficient battery systems under the project name Te-MobiX (Tropical e-Mobility Excellence). The institute has been awarded a research grant of Rs55 crore to establish the National Facility for Battery Research on its campus. The proposal was led by IIT-BHU director and battery diagnostics expert Prof Amit Patra, with participation from faculty members of IIT-BHU, IIT Kharagpur, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and ICT Mumbai. "This facility will span the entire spectrum of battery research—from raw materials to next-generation solutions for land, water, and air mobility," Prof Patra said. He added that the initiative aligns with India's National Mission on Transformative Mobility, the SDGs, and the EV30@2030 vision. Project investigator Prof. R.K. Singh noted that Te-MobiX will address challenges specific to India's tropical climate, focusing on improving battery safety, lifespan, and performance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Co-investigator Abir Ghosh emphasized the mission's collaborative model, with strong industrial partnerships including Tata Motors, TVS Motors, Urjawatt Technologies, OPAL-RT, and ThoughtSpot India Pvt. Ltd., who will contribute 10% of the total project cost and assist in real-world testing and commercialisation. The project team at IIT-BHU includes experts from electrical, chemical, mechanical, biochemical, civil engineering, chemistry, and materials science departments, while collaborators from IIT Kharagpur, BHU, and ICT Mumbai are also playing key roles. ANRF's MAHA-EV Mission has identified seven e-nodes in total. In the TV-I category for tropical battery and cell technologies, IIT-BHU and ARCI Hyderabad were selected. TV-II (power electronics and drives) includes IIT Bombay, NIT Surathkal, and CSIR-CEERI Pilani. TV-III (charging infrastructure) includes IIT Kanpur and IIT Kharagpur. Each e-node will function in a consortium mode, integrating academia, research labs, and industry to accelerate innovation and establish a robust ecosystem for electric mobility in India.
