Saturday, September 24, 2011

CM Mr Chouhan’s China visit to open floodgates of development in MP

www.cimirror.blogspot.com
सी आई मिरर डाट काम
By Muslim Saleem
Bhopal, September 24, 2011
Chief Minister Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan has returned from his successful China visit. The Chief Minister had embarked on a nine-day China visit on the invitation of World Economic Forum. He took part in the programmes held by World Economic Forum in various Chinese cities and invited prospective investors to Madhya Pradesh. The response of Chinese investors and industrialists to Mr Chouhan’s invitation to investment in Madhya Pradesh is stated to be very enthusiastic and it is surmised that the visit of Mr Chouhan and 28-member delegation to China is likely to open floodgates of development and progress in the state, reports SMS News & Features.
Importantly, during his interaction with investors, the Chief Minister apprised them of possibilities of investment and abundance of resources in Madhya Pradesh and industry-friendly policy of the State Government. The 28-member delegation accompanying him included Industries Minister Mr Kailash Vijayvargiya. The delegation members also apprised investors and industrialists of investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh.
On the first day of China visit on September 13, Chief Minister Mr Chouhan visited Ascendas IT Park near Dalian city. It is also known as Green Silico Valley. The Chief Minister along with the delegation inspected the work space of Indian software company Infosys there apart from another software company 'Yaditab.'
On September 14, the Chief Minister attended various programmes of World Economic Forum. He took part in the discussion titled 'Mastering Quality Growth in India.' During interactive session, he also took part in 'Insight From Emerging Market on Urban Development' programme. During one-to-one meetings, he held talks with experts of various sectors as well as politicians. The Chief Minister met distinguished persons and industrialists coming to the World Economic Forum on September 15. Madhya Pradesh government hosted a lunch in honour of representatives and Chinese industrialists. Mr Chouhan also took part in 'Insights from Emerging Market Infrastructure' programme. He threw light on the success of various important projects being run in the infrastructure sectors under PPP Mode in Madhya Pradesh.
On September 16 in Beijing, the Chief Minister took part in symposium titled 'Investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh.' He informed Chinese industrialists of the capital investment being made in Madhya Pradesh in cement, iron, benefaction and power plants. On September 17, the Chief Minister visited Tian Jin Bin Hightech Industrial Area in Beijing. He also visited Union Stemcell and Gene Engineering Company Limited apart from Tian Jin Saxiyang Technology Company Limited. He also saw Ying Li Solar Park. The same day, Chief Minister Mr Chouhan visited Tiananmen Square and Great Wall of China's Mutianyu Section. On September 18, he talked to journalists at the lunch hosted at Indian embassy in Beijing and said that participation of Madhya Pradesh in World Economic Forum will prove to be important in inviting investors for the development of industrial sectors of the state and informing them of the opportunities available in Madhya Pradesh.
On September 19, he invited Chinese investors to make investment in Madhya Pradesh at 'Madhya Pradesh Meet' organised jointly by Madhya Pradesh and Confederation of Indian Industries. He also visited Huang Vayo Transportation Hub, Sujolo Industrial Park and important tourist spots. At Shanghai, he saw Urban Planning Museum, Pearl TV Tower and Buddha Temple. Chief Minister Mr Chouhan left Shanghai for India on September 20

Friday, September 16, 2011

Better tax management in MP

www.cimirror.blogspot.com
सी आई मिरर डाट काम
Muslim Saleem
Bhopal, September 16, 2011
Madhya Pradesh has posted about four fold increase in commercial taxes revenue over last seven years. This creditable achievement, despite exempting many commodities and reducing rates on some others, is attributable to efficient tax administration, effective curb on evasion and positive attitude of traders. This significant increase in commercial tax revenue has been achieved despite exempting food grain, pulses, farm implements and fuel wood from VAT. Earlier, a 4 percent VAT was payable on these commodities. The VAT on diesel has been reduced from 28.75 percent to 25 percent, reports SMS News and Features.
The commercial tax revenue in year 2003-04 was Rs, 3,952 crore 25 lakh, which rose to Rs. 12 thousand 342 crore 16 lakh in 2010-11. This increase assumes greater significance given the fact that VAT on many items has been removed and reduced on some others. These taxes include Central Sales Tax, VAT Entertainment Tax, Hotel Tax, Professional Tax etc. The buoyancy in tax collection has pushed the development of the state.
In year 2003-04, revenue of Rs, 2,916 crore 73 lakh was received by way of VAT, Rs. 454 crore through Central Sales Tax, Rs. 392 crore 71 lakh as Entertainment Tax, Rs. 184 crore 58 lakh and Rs. 4 crore 21 lakh as Hotel Tax.
Online Facilities for Traders: The Commercial Taxes Department has provided a number of online facilities for the convenience of traders making the best possible use of Information Technology. Following this, now the traders no longer need to visit the circle offices in person to get their works done. Most of their works are done online.
First the facility of online downloading Form-49 was introduced. Encouraged by the response of traders some other facilities were provided online. These include e-return, e-registration, Form-60 etc. At present there are 2 lakh 40 thousand registered traders in the state and out of them over 90 percent are availing online facilities.
The facility of online downloading the declaration form (form-49) pertaining to check post has provided following which now these forms are available free of cost to the traders. So far, 5 lakh 57 thousand 967 Form-49 have been downloaded.
Now the tension of check post is also gone. If a trader enters duly filled declaration on the web portal giving the date and time of entering, the transporter does not deed to get it passed from the check post. If there is no check post on the route in that case, too, he need not visit the nearest circle office.
The facility of filing online statement has also been made available on the web portal. So far, 58 thousand 795 traders have availed this facility.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

New chapter in aviation history of Madhya Pradesh

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सी आई मिरर डाट काम
Muslim Saleem
Bhopal: September 8, 2011
    It is a matter of pride for the residents of the state that a new chapter was added to the tourism development sector of Madhya Pradesh. Air taxi service has been launched for the first time in the state. The air taxi service was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan at 10 am on September 7 at Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport. With the launch of this air service, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to offer air taxi services. In the first phase, this air service will be between Bhopal-Indore, Bhopal-Gwalior, Bhopal-Jabalpur, Indore-Gwalior and Indore-Jabalpur. Air taxis will fly between these cities in the morning and evening, reports SMS News & Features.
    In the second phase, there will be daily flights between Gwalior-Jabalpur through which some more tourist destinations will be linked. These include Satna, Khajuraho, Pachmarhi, Vallabhgarh and Kanha.
    Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has carved out its distinctive image in the country for tourist facilities. The air taxi service was launched for the first time in the state as per the wish of Chief Minister Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan to promote tourism in the state through water, terrestrial and air routes. After introduction of this service, the passengers travelling between cities of Madhya Pradesh to accomplish essential works will be able to return to their destination the same day after completing their works.
    Similarly, tourists will be able to reach various religious and tourist places near Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur quickly through this air service. Tourism activities can be promoted further at places like, Pench and Kanha-Kisli and Bandhavgarh National Parks near Jabalpur. Likewise, one will be able to reach Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain) and Omkareshwar religious places near Indore quickly. Besides, tourists can also enjoy services of national and international flights from Indore.
    The Tourism Corporation is undertaking works in new areas. In this context, the State Government took the initiative of introducing air connectivity through private sector between major cities of the state for giving a fillip to tourism in the state. Under the initiative, an agreement was signed by the State Tourism Corporation with private sector company Messrs. Ventura Air Connect Private Limited. The company has provided a nine-seater aircraft at Bhopal. Soon, another nine-seater plane will be added to this series. There is long geographical distance between Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. Except Bhopal, there is High Court and its benches in rest of these major cities. Important offices of the State Government are situated in Bhopal. Apart from general passengers, tourists from India and abroad also require air services.
    With a view to giving permanency to the air services, the State Government has made a provision in the agreement that maximum three seats in every sector will be underwritten if passengers are not available in adequate numbers. For this, they will be paid full fare and government officers will be able to undertake travel. The State Government will compensate for VAT on the aviation turbine fuel bought by the company in the state for five years.