Hi,
We (GVNML organization having state registration that is 1958, society and 12 AA ) also and we had did IEC activities (community participation in drinking water supply to 265 villages) we need to pay service tax. We are getting payments from Govt. (PHED Deptt.) as contractor. Are we under service tax? Pls guide me.
Regards
Jagveer Singh
Ambitious as it may sound, but Delhi plans to run its buses on biogas produced from waste and dirty sludge. After CNG, the national capital is all set to run its public transport fleet on biogas!!! Although, Delhi already boasts running the world’s largest fleet of vehicles on CNG, the latest endeavor would be great as it would be cost-effective and a win-win solution.
Presently one of the major problems is management of sludge coming out of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). While treating this sludge, Delhi Govt plans to produce bio-gas at Keshopura STP, which is of high quality and can be compared with CNG. The STP, functioning partially at present, can treat 72 million litres of wastewater per day. The bio-gas produced from sludge treatment would be used as a complementary fuel for running 120 CNG buses. This is a pilot project and subsequently, if successful, there will be expansion.
The technology for this process is being provided by Swedish government. This innovative step would be a great way to achieve energy conservation and it would further also reduce 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Dear members,
We have also a query on TDS on International transaction/payment .
Our organisation has FCRA & 12A Certificate. If any funder (abroad) has deducted any TDS from our payment . What is the remedy to claim that TDS amount in India
Usually, we receipt against project funds/consultancy fee/ research work.
Request all of you, kindly clarify us.
With kind regards,
L N Sharma
Dear Friends,
Uday
I have a query on service tax payment & registration:-
Our organization has got 12 AA registration.
For the car hiring charges/security charges do we need to register ourself for the service tax and do we need to pay the reverse charges or as per notification /circular no:25 we are exempted from service tax
Could u please clarify?
Cheers,
Ramya Haricharan
Slums are part and parcel of most cities. In fact in India slums cover 30-50% of the population. Different governments have tried to solve the problem of slums in their own ways, for example, Madhya Pradesh started with grant of tenure or ‘’patta’’, hoping that entitlement to ‘title’ would give access to essential services. Similarly, the UP government has declared allotting of free houses to BPL families and have declared that the scheme would allot homes in 60 different towns and cities of UP. Problem is that most schemes, however, have seldom crossed the realm of political rhetoric. Funds are too meagre and the numbers who benefit are always far too small than needed and hence really not replicable.
While different governments have been trying to tackle the problem of slums, but, in spite of all the efforts, the actual problem still persists. Perhaps a deeper look at the problem will help us understand the genesis of problem and then only think of solutions, which are preventive rather than curative.
Bollywood has contributed in a big way to Mumbai’s legendary symbol of slums. However the Mumbai slums also constitute a real problem, as more than half of the population (52.5% to be precise) lives in slums. Mumbai has tried to involve the private sector. Real estate developers would clear the slums, give free homes to slum dwellers and get incentives in terms of higher FSI so as to recoup expenditure, and make a profit too. As this scheme showed fruitful results, soon it might be replicated in various other cities and states, and might one day become a national policy too!!!
While slum-dwellers contribute majorly to the urban productivity (services being provided at low cost) and the city economy they continue to be deprived and exploited lot and our cities continue to be pictures of stark contrasts.
-based on article by Professor PSN Rao of SPA, New Delhi
SRRF Dialogue has been consistently highlighting the issue of pedestrian safety. In a recent article in Hindustan times, the issue of pedestrian safety has been raised. It has been quoted that pavements & roads in Amar Market in Delhi has been encroached by the shopkeepers.
The Pedestrians suffer a lot as most of the shop keepers have occupied the footpaths and park their vehicles on the road side. The market has about 400 shops. The area is highly congested and there is no space for the pedestrian. In spite of repeated complaints by the residents, no action has taken by the authorities. The warning notices by Police have hardly made any difference to the shopkeeper in absence of firm action by the police. As a result, accident rates have increased and according to the traffic police, 13 hit and run cases in the area have been recorded in the last one month. Earlier, the markets had footpaths having yellow line for the disabled, but these are no longer visible as the shopkeepers have extended their shops. Further, autos and other vehicles remain parked on the road, which adds up to the congestion problem.
Description of Amar Market is in all probability a portrait of almost all markets in the city. In order to get rid of encroachment problem, the civic authorities need to take some stern actions. But this would be possible when both the authorities and the shopkeepers cooperate to bring about the change.
For India, development has always being a mixed bag of opportunities as well as neglect and deprivations. It is a well established fact that majority of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, landless agricultural labourers, poor farmers and slum dwellers, etc are the most marginalized lot.
India has been ranked 134 among 187 countries of the world in terms of the Human development Index (HDI) in 2011. However, further looking into different aspects of this, India Human Development Report, 2011, prepared by Institute of Applied Manpower Research, quoted that minority (Dalits & Muslims) is catching up with the rest. The literacy rates, share of Muslims in pucca housing, access to electricity, have increased to a fair amount. But, the most worrisome aspect is the healthcare system, which is consistently low. The table below as given in the report would give a fair understanding of the facts:
From the above table, it can summed up that the condition of the minorities have improved to an extent, still, government needs to take proper initiatives to improve their socio-economic status.
We share with you contents of a recent circular by RBI (link) , making reporting by Liaison Offices / Project Offices / Branch offices far more stringent.
As per the new requirements alongwith Activity Report an annexe needs to be filed providing following pertinent informations.
1. Complete details of all foreign nationals who visit the entity’s office.
2. Details of Projects / Contracts / Collaborations worked upon or initiated during the year. (It is not clear if this covers only agreements that a Liaison Office signs with any Indian NGO or does it even cover contracts signed with suppliers of goods / services.)
3. Details of equipment imported
4. Details of supplies or services rendered to Govt. sector.
5. Details of places & states visited alongwith details of dates and accommodation used. (It is not clear who all are covered by this – is it head of the entity or is it all employees or is it all foreigners travelling on account of Liaison Office – this is not clear at all)
6. Details of contacts with Govt Depts / PSUs
7. Details of contacts with Civil Society Bodies/ Trusts / NGOs
We thank Mr Harish Bhutani of Water Aid for bringing the above to SRRF Dialogue’s notice.
With warm regards
Farah
Coordinator
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Hyderabad!
I have the following question:
My question to all of you is:
Thanks and regards,
B V Soma Sastry
Director – Finance and Admin
Centre for World Solidarity
