NEWS IN BANGALORE MIRROR OPPOSING THE BBMP TRADE LICENCE

Get a trade licence or shut shop After eateries, the cash-strapped BBMP wants jewellery, garments and other businesses to take trade licences to augment its revenue Bescom has given power at commercial rates to over six lakh people or establishments for carrying out various kinds of businesses, but only around 55,000 have obtained a trade licence from the BBMP. Stuck in a financial crunch, the civic agency is trying to persuade other business establishments to obtain a trade licence, which is renewed annually. Sources say the city has more than 5,000 jewellery establishments but around 90 per cent of them do not haveatradelicence.Tobeginwith,the BBMP is targeting jewellery shops in Chickpet. Health standing committee chairman S Venkatesh Babu told BANGALOREMIRROR, “We don’t have any other option. People demand civic amenities and infrastructure projects, but no one comes forward when it comes to funding these projects. The BBMP’s only source of income is property tax. At present, we are collecting 1,200 crore in property tax, but it is not enough for the kind of developmental activities that this city needs. Trade license is mandatory for all kind of businesses. Only 55,000 businesses have trade licences out of the more than six lakh commercial power connections. Health officials have been asked to visit each establishment to advise traders to obtain trade licences. If businesspersons don’t come forwardontheirown,wewillhavetotake serious action, including sealing their establishments.” While most eateries obtain a trade licence, garment traders, jewellery dealers, hardware shops and other businesses are carried out without any kind of licence from the BBMP. Babu said, “It is mandatory for jewellery shops, garment traders, provisional stores and other business establishments to obtain a trade licence. However, in Chickpet alone, only 2,957 businesspersons have obtained trade licences even though the number of shops and business establishments is much more.” BBMP’s south zone health officer M N Lokesh said, “We are ready to issue new trade licences, but despite reminders there is hardly any response from businesspersons. I will propose the action to be taken against people who are unwilling to obtain licences.” Jewellery Association president G V Sreedhar is against the move. He said, “The jewellery business doesn’t come under the category needing a trade licence from the BBMP. We have been opposing the BBMP on this issue for many years.” SajjanRajMehta,former president of KarnatakaHosiery and GarmentAssociation, said, “The garments trade doesn’t fall under the category needing a BBMP trade licence. We have obtained exemption from the state government. We will continue to oppose the civic agency in this matter.” Lokesh said, “Recently, we had issued notices to establishments in a shopping complex in Jayanagar 4th block, but the traders refused to take a trade licence saying that they are already paying VAT to the state government.Wearetryingtoconvincethem, but the final decision will be taken by higher authorities.” The Jewellery Association insists that the business doesn’t come under the category needing a trade licence REGARDS..

news in times of india on 23.1.13

: Karnataka's industry bodies, who lobby with the government for sops and incentives on behalf of their respective industries, have asked the state government to reduce value added tax (VAT) rates by 50 basis points. The tax proposals made by industry bodies - including Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI), Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association (KHAGA), and Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) - come in the backdrop of the state budget to be presented early next month. At present the government levies 5.5% to 14.5% VAT on most commodities, which the industry bodies want reduced to 5% to 14%. The garment sector wants the VAT rate reduced to 4% from 5.5%. "Reduction in VAT would help to give a much needed impetus to the growth of the textile industry," said Sajjan Raj Mehta, chairman of the taxation committee at KHAGA. Cloth, he said, has been under more inflationary pressure than bread. FKCCI has also asked the government to exempt textile traders from entry tax. BCIC has recommended a reduction in VAT rates levied on aircraft turbine fuel from the current level of 28% to 20%. "We also seek exemption from payment of VAT on industrial canteens and on hybrid vehicles," said K R Girish, past president, BCIC. FKCCI has asked for road tax on two wheelers to be revised to 10% for two wheelers costing up to Rs 75,000, and 12% for vehicles costing above Rs 75,000. At present road tax on two wheelers is 10% for vehicles below Rs 50,000 and 12% for vehicles above Rs 50,000. "With the increase in the cost of vehicles the common man ends up paying the higher rate of 12%," said K Shiva Shanmugam, president, FKCCI.

memorandum to the hon'ble president of india

THE HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN NEW DELHI .. SADAR JAI JINDENDRA SIR .. WISH YOU ALL THE HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD IN THE NEW YEAR 2013..WE REQUIRE YOUR KIND BLESSINGS AND SUPPORT IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF THE ENTIRE JAIN COMMUNITY ..YOUR KIND ATTITUDE WILL SERVE THE PURPOSE ... We, a group of Jain people of India, wish to bring to your kind attention that 1. We are a peace loving community in minority in India and have always contributed to the nation positively. Mahatma Gandhi has credited his basic philosophy to influence of Jainism. 2. We are majorly a non-politically aspiring community and contribute in the national GDP through industries, business and commerce. 3. We have been pained in recent times due to attacks on our Munis, places of worships, jain heritage sites and de-secretion of our religious symbols and idols. 4. Girnar in Junagadh was purchased by Jains from the erstwhile Junagarh Nawab and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a witness to the deal. Girnar happens to be a “siddhakshetra” or one of the most sacred places for Jains, from where 22nd Tirthankar of Jainism, Bhagwan Neminath ( cousin of Lord Srikrishna) attained Nirvana. As the world celebrated new Year, the entire peace loving Jain community fell into sadness when around 6 pm on 1st jan, 2013, a digambar ascetic Muni Prabalsagarji maharaj was brutally attacked with knife four times and injured almost fatally by miscreants which include a mahant of an akhada illegally occupying the girnar hill, The akhada occupys the Hills despite court orders to Gujarat government to vacate them almost 8 years ago. Munishri in addition to losing his sainthood due to medical treatment, is in critical condition and struggling for life. 5. The whole Jain community is pained and alarmed due to this dastardly cowardly attack and heinous act of attempt to murder our living symbol of Tirthankar. 6. It is disgusting to note here that another organization from Rajasthan is giving rewards to kill Jain sadhu and sadhvis and many sadhu and sadhvi have met death in “planned” and mysterious road accidents. 7. We no longer feel safe and fear our extinction in times to come in view of the attacks on our culture, heritage, sadhu, mandirs and encroachment on religious places like Girnar. 8. We as “jains” are educated and cultured people who contribute positively in the growth of the nation and are law abiding citizens of this land. We belong to a religion which believes in total non-violence and are followers inner gods and thrive of Non-violence, peace and brotherhood. We are a minority community in this country in many states and still contribute to a great extent in the economy of this nation. 9.We admit that black sheeps are everywhere and if anybody from the jain comminity is responsible for the these incidents , nobody is above the law ... We demand to initiate immediate corrective action, including 1. All culprits in this incident, must be arrested notwithstanding their religious or political influence and be dealt with severely. 2. All encroachment from all our religious places including Girnar must be removed immediately. We demand a national task force to be formed for the purpose. 3. The Jain Pilgrimage sites in general and Girnar hill in particular should be provided sufficient security to ensure Safety of pilgrims 4. All the non-jain encroachments and illegal occupants on the Jain Pilgrimage Places in general and Girnar in particular be removed immediately. 5. In Case of Girnar all the recent structures built on the fifth hill ( in last 50 years) be removed immediately. 6. Jains sadhus both Digambar ( Sky clad) as well as Shwetambar ( white clad) should have safe and secure right of way all across country. ( in some states like Tamilanadu , the sadhus are stoned. 7. Jains are in minority in India, it is a separate religion distinct from all other notified religions of India, so it be given Minority Status across India. Respected Rashtrapatiji, we are law abiding citizen of sovereign India, or Bharat ( a name derived from a shilalekh from jain heritage site khandgiri , the site also is under attack by pandyas and illegal occupants who threaten, beat and manhandle Jain pilgrims) request your immediate intervention to direct the government of the day to save and secure minority community of India, under attack from many quarters. Thanking you in anticipation and hoping for a prompt and sympathetic view, Yours Truly, “Jain” citizens of India COMPILED BY.... Thanks a lot.. Regards.. Sajjan Raj Mehta.. Ex President.Jain Yuva Sangathan,Bangalore

KARNATAKA VAT HAS WORKED AS A MODEL VAT

To, THE HON'BLE CHIEF MINISTER, GOV'T OF KARNATAKA, VIDHAN SABHA, BANGALORE SUB; PRE - BUDGET MEMORANDUM RESPECTED SIR, Wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR...May new year bring more and more prosperity,better health and better happiness to our people & further more & more revenue from the members of Karnataka Hosiery and Garments Association. We would like to get to your kind notice certain regulations under KVAT Act 2003 which are causing lot of difficulties to all the dealers... SIR.KARNATAKA VAT HAS WORKED AS A MODEL VAT AND WILL KEEP WORKING CONTINUOUSLY SO TILL GST COMES..AS KARNATAKA ENHANCED VAT RATES ON GARMENT FROM 4 TO 5 % ..OTHER STATES FOLLOWED AND NOW KARNATAKA HAS 5.5%..WHAT WE SUBMIT IS THAT IF KARNATAKA NOW CONSIDERS OUR SUBMISSION AND BRING IT TO 4%, IT WILL HELP THE BASIC TEXTILE INDUSTRY TO SURVIVE AND WE MAY WITNESS REQUIRED GROWTH IN ALL THE AREAS OF CONCERN..THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER AFTER THE AGRICULTURE PROVIDING LIVELIHOOD TO NEARLY 3 CRORES PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND ABOVE 40% OF THEM ARE WOMEN ..THE COMMON MAN'S CLOTHING NEED HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY HIGH INFLATIONARY TRENDS IN LAST 3-4 YEARS ..IT'S PERTINENT TO KNOW THAT "CLOTH" NEED OF THE COMMON MAN IS UNDER MORE INFLATION THAN "BREAD ".. Suggested Amendments seeking your kindness... 1.VAT RATES INCREASED BY 1.5 PERCENT NEEDS TO BE REVERSED AS TRADE & INDUSTRY WERE ASSURED THAT IT IS FOR THE TIME BEING ONLY..( WAS INCREASED DUE TO FLOODS IN NORTH KARNATAKA )..GARMENT BEING A BASIC NECESSITY ITEM ( BREAD,HOUSE AND CLOTH ) NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED AT 4% ONLY BY OUR GOVERNMENT FOR THE WELFARE OF COMMON PEOPLE AND HOPE AND TRUST THAT YOU WILL BE KIND ENOUGH TO OBLIGE US SIR.. 2..Currently VAT Audit is on a turnover over10000000/- which could be increased to 20000000/- to help the trade and industry. 3.GST IS DUE BUT NO ROAD MAP OR GUIDE LINES YET SO WE WILL BE HIGHLY OBLIGED IF WE HAVE THE PROPER INFORMATION IN ADVANCE . We request your goodself to kindly take note of the above suggestions in the coming budget for necessary amendments.We assure you of our best services always and prey for the welfare of our STATE... AWAITING YOUR FRUITFUL REPLY Thanking You, Yours Faithfully Sajjan Raj Mehta CHAIRMAN.TAXATION COMMITTEE.KHAGA MEMBER..STATE TAXES COMMITTEE, FKCCI EX.PRESIDENT..KARNATAKA HOSIERY & GARMENT ASSOCIATION 9845501150

NATIONAL YOUTH DAY -JANUARY 12TH ..150 BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

NATIONAL YOUTH DAY -JANUARY 12TH ..150 BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA Swami Vivekananda needs no introduction, for his is a household name in India. Swamiji was one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the modern world, a great lover of humanity whose unconditional love extended to all people without any distinctions of caste, class, creed, race, region or religion. Swami Vivekananda is also remembered as a great patriot, the first cultural ambassador of India to the West, who raised the prestige of India in the eyes of Western people and changed their views about India with the compelling force to truth. Swamiji was the first great leader of India to diagnose the cause of India’s downfall as the neglect of the poor, downtrodden masses of India, and to declare boldly, “No amount of politics will be of any avail until the masses of India are once more well educated, well fed and well cared for.” Indeed, he was the first spokesman for the poor in India and coined the word “Daridranarayana” which was given currency later on by Mahatma Gandhi. ON THE EVE OF 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA,WE REITERATE OUR KIND SUPPORT AND WELCOME THE COW-SLAUGHTER BILL PASSED IN KARNATAKA ASSEMBLY ..HOPE AND TRUST THAT THIS TIME ANY POLITICAL PARTY WITHOUT ANY POLITICS WILL GET IT CLEARED FURTHER WHERE-EVER IT IS REQUIRED TO GET SANCTIONED.. HOPE WISDOM PREVAILS...THANKS A LOT FOR THE SUPPORT EXTENDED YET.... SAJJAN RAJ MEHTA SOCIAL WORKER 09845501150 MAIL WHICH WERE SENT EARLIER TO BAN THE COW-SLAUGHTER IN KARNATAKA TO HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA PRESIDENT REFERS BILL OF COW-SLAUGHTERING TO KARNATAKA AGAIN WE WELCOME THE MOVE OF HONORABLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA WHO HAS FINALLY SENT THE COW-SLAUGHTERING BILL WITH SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT TO REPRODUCE IN VIDHAN SOUDHA..HOPE AND TRUST THAT KARNATKA GOVERNMENT WILL FINALLY AMEND THE BILL THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE WITH PROPER CONSULTATIONS AND GET IT PASSED ,WHERE EVER NECESSARY..HOPE WISDOM PREVAILS ON ONE AND ALL THE FINAL OUTCOME IS TO PAAS THE BILL AMICABLY .. THANKS TO THE MEDIA ALSO FOR THEIR WHOLE -HEARTED SUPPORT...ENCLOSED HEREWITH THE MEMORANDUM SENT TO THE HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA.THE GOVERNOR,KARNATAKA,THE CHIEF-MINISTER OF KARNATAKA AND THE PRESS..IN 2010 AND 2011 ALSO.. SAJJAN RAJ MEHTA SOCIAL WORKER