National
Meghalaya’s revenue collection under GST could not be assessed: Sangma
Shillong, Nov 22 (IANS) Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has said the collection of revenue under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in Meghalaya could not be assessed properly due to the incapability of the system being put in place.
Sangma, who is heading the Congress-led government, lashed out at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for not allowing the input tax credit for building infrastructure like hotels in the tourism sector whereas it has been allowed for all other infrastructure.
On Tuesday, the Meghalaya cabinet was briefed on the revenue collection realization by various departments under the new tax regime.
“Subsequent to rolling out of the new tax regime, the number of tax payers registered under GST is only 9,546 of the 25,852 registered earlier under the old tax regime Value Added Tax (VAT), besides another 5,752 new tax payers who have registered under the GST,” Sangma told journalists on Tuesday night.
The Chief Minister said only 40 per cent of the tax payers have been able to file tax returns because of the incompetence of the system being put in place.
“All these registered tax payers under GST have to file their returns. Instead of all tax payers file their returns they are facing a lot of problems due to the incompetence of the system being put in place. That is why we are yet to know whether our revenue realization is on expected lines or not,” Sangma said.
Noting that the state was expecting much more realisation of revenue than the projected 14 to 15 per cent, he said the revenue collection could not be assessed because of the incapability of the system that should ensure smooth implementation of GST.
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government of targeting big investors by not allowing input tax credit (ITC) in the tourism sector while implementing GST, Sangma demanded clarity on this.
“We need a complete clarity on this, why is it like this, are they targeting someone who is investing huge amount of money in hospitality sector or not that I want to know,” he said.
“I will be writing as we need clarity on this abnormal approach. The implementation of GST is considered to be something which will be genuine simple tax, and not like a Gabbar Singh tax by targeting some hoteliers,” Sangma said.
Moreover, he said the central government’s decision not to allow ITC in the tourism sector will discourage people from investing in the tourism sector.
“It is quite a paradox as Centre has lot of schemes to promote tourism,” the Chief Minister said.
Sangma said the Meghalaya cabinet has directed that the issue be taken up at the GST Council level again.
“The whole issue will be taken up at the political level by the chief minister and I will also write to other counterparts,” he said.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.