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Sunday, June 24, 2012


Income tax e-filing



The countdown has started. You have a little more than a month to complete the annual ritual of filing income-tax returns

e-filinG I-T returns
Most taxpayers opt to filing of returns online — e-filing — as it is easier than the offline option.
Mandatory: The CBDT has made it mandatory for individuals earning an annual income in excess of Rs 10 lakh to file their returns online from this current financial year.

Where to file e-returns
You can file your returns through the official website incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Else, you can use several tax portals run by private players, which charge anywhere between Rs 180 and Rs 1,500 for this service.

Using private portals
Cost should not be the only factor that makes you zero-in on a portal. You also have to ensure that the e-filing portals are trustworrthy, as you would be parting with your personal details. Check if the private portal that you are planning to use is backed by a strong corporate and whether it is a licensed e-return intermediary.

Ensure that the portal is a secure site, which uses encrypption to protect your personal data. The URL in the address bar of the secure site starts with ‘https://’ and not just ‘http://’.

Using the official portal
If you are using the official income-tax portal incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in, you need to do the following process:

* Select an appropriate ITR Form
* Register and create a user id and password, if you don’t have one. You need to login, if you are already registered.
* Download return preparation software for selected return form
* Fill your return offline and generate a XML file
* Login and pick the relevant form on left panel. Use the submit return option to select XML file and click on upload button.
* After successful upload, take the print out of acknowledgment ITR-V Form, affix your signature and send it to CPC on the address given on the form.
* If you have used a digital signature to authenticate the form, your filing process is complete.

Who need to file
If your taxable earning is more than the exempted income. The threshold is Rs 1.8 lakh for males, Rs 1.9 lakh for females and Rs 2.5 lakh for senior citizens if you want to claim refund of tax already deducted from income.

I have only salary income...
In the previous year, people having only salary income of less than Rs 5 lakh were exempted from filing returns. But this is rule is yet to be reiterated for this year.

Talk on by Dr Narain Bhatia at Chinmaya Mission Trust
Art of looking inside and discovering one's own inner being
By Anish Nanda
A talk on "Meditation and Life" was given by Dr. Narain Bhatia, C.E.O. of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust on Tuesday, 12th June in the Basement auditorium of Dr. L.H. Hiranandani Hospital. The talk was scheduled between 7 - 8 a.m. However, participants eager not to miss out on seats, gathered as early as 6:30 a.m.
Dr. Bhatia explained that meditation is the art of looking inside and discovering one's own inner being. Meditation leads us not only to totally new inner experiences, but helps us also to transform our day to day life into a better, more meaningful and more fulfilling existence. We need to practise it daily at a fixed time with discipline.
Procedure on correct posture, relaxing the body to lose body consciousness, meditation techniques like observing the thoughts, etc. were explained and participants were taken through a guided meditation. Moderation in diet and speech was also recommended. Some of the benefits include Inner Peace and Happiness, a positive attitude, Health benefits, Dynamism, Improved concentration and connecting with The Supreme Consciousness.
Later, melodious bhajans were sung by Kakoli Lahiry. More than 85 people enjoyed the Spiritual atmosphere in the packed auditorium and looked forward to the next program by Dr. Bhatia.

MORE DEVELOPMENT WORKS SANCTIONED BY SIKKIM CABINET


The Cabinet was held at Samman Bhawan, Gangtok on 20th June, 2012 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Sikkim. The meeting passed various proposals pertaining to various departments of the state government.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 405.00 lakhs and 157.00 lakhs respectively for Upgradation and Improvement of Dr.B R Ambedkar Road, Gangtok and Upgradation and improvement of Bahai School Road, Tadong under Prime Minister's Relief Package to Urban Development & Housing Department .
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 800.00 lakhs for the various works to be taken up under National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).

WATER SECURITY AND PHE DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 395.00 lakhs (Rupees Three Hundred Ninety Five Lakhs) only, for the work "IT system for Water Supply Management (Sikkim) ", under NEC.
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 6.29 crores (Rupees Six Crores and Twenty Nine Lakhs) only including the State share of Rs. 0.63 crores for providing Water Supply to Chenrezig Statue Complex at Sangacholing.

IRRIGATION AND FLOOD CONTROL DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 367.75 lakhs (Rupees Three Crores Sixty Seven Lakhs and Seventy five thousand) only for jhora training work and Anti-erosion work outside the defined boundary of Namchi.

HORTICULTURE AND CASH CROPS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of  Rs. 4300.00 (Rupees Forty Three Crores) only for implementation of Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States, 2012-13. 

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The proposal seeking approval and revised sanction of Rs. 6,06,40,612/-(Rupees Six Crores Six Lakhs Forty Thousand six Hundred and Twelve) only (inclusive of 8% of the running bill as consultancy charges) for continuing the execution of 2x100 KW Thangu Micro Hydel Project by the Constructional and power Generation Cooperative Society, Lachen with the technical support of the SPDCL.

LAND REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 50.00 lakhs (Rupees Fifty Lakhs) only for purchase of 6.5 acres of land under Sikkim Sukumbasi Welfare Scheme for distribution to 26 landless poor people in the State.

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND HERITAGE
The proposal seeking approval and en-block sanction of Rs. 613 lakhs (Rupees Six Hundred Thirteen Lakhs) only for  the project  of Indrakhil Prayag.

The proposal seeking approval for nominating Shri Pempa Norbu Tamang as the new President of the Sikkim Akademi w.e.f.7th July, 2012.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE, HUMAN SERVICE AND FAMILY WELFARE
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 20.00 crores (Rupees Twenty Crores) only for repair, renovation and reconstruction of physical infrastructures damaged due to the earthquake of 18th Sept., 2011, under the Prime Minister's Earthquake Relief Package.
BUILDINGS AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 800.00 lakhs  only for immediate repairs and restoration of various residential and non residential government structures under Building and Housing Department badly damaged by the earthquake of 18th September 2011.

RURAL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 4531.70 lakhs (Rupees Four Thousand Five Hundred Thirty One  lakhs and seventy thousand) only for release of  grant in-aid to Panchayati Raj Institutions during 2012-13.  


FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs.21.25 Lakhs (Rupees Twenty One Lakhs and Twenty Five Thousand) only for procurement and distribution of the subsidized rice under Mukhya Mantri Khadya Suraksha Abhiyan (MMKSA).

FINANCE REVENUE & EXPENDITURE DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval to increase the existing rate of Rs. 6,000/- to Rs. 15,000/- for one term retired MLAs and from Rs. 8000/- to Rs. 20,000/- in the case of those who have serve the House for more than one term.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 1800.00 lakhs only for the construction of multipurpose hall cum class room in six senior secondary schools (Sadam, Kaluk, Pelling, Assamlingzey, Singtam and Dikling) under NLCPR.


RURAL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs 400.00 lakhs (Rupees Four Hundred Lakhs) only for repair and restoration of various infrastructure damaged by the earthquake of 18th September 2011 to be taken up under NDRF. The Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department has conveyed the sanction of Rs. 400.00 lakhs  including Rs. 50.00 lakhs released as advance for immediate restoration measures after the earthquake.

FINANCE REVENUE & EXPENDITURE DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking approval to adopt austerity measures in the functioning of the Government in line with the  decisions taken by the Government of India