by rakesh | Jun 19, 2008 | Business
Brazil, Russia, India and China-collectively known as BRIC — represent the next great growth curve for both the mobile and interactive marketing industries. Home to over 40% of the world’s population, the BRIC countries form the core of an emergent global middle class that will number over 1 billion people by 2015. eMarketer projects that the BRIC countries will account for over 1.7 billion mobile phone subscribers by 2012 and expects over 680 million subscribers to access the mobile Internet.
Mobile Usage Metrics for BRIC, 2012 (millions and % penetration)
http://www.emarketer.com/images/chart_gifs/095001-096000/095344.gif
Mobile will be the primary interactive screen for this new generation of consumers, and no major advertising agency can pitch a global brand without referencing its BRIC assets and capabilities, especially those in China and India. Likewise, the largest global telecommunications companies have bet a large amount of their future growth on sales to BRIC-based mobile operators.
“Mobile is the Internet for an increasingly large and attractive consumer segment — an important distinction for marketers to keep in mind,” said John du Pre Gauntt, senior analyst and author of the new report, “Mobile BRIC: Extreme Growth Ahead.”
“As these huge populations within BRIC accumulate disposable income, they are poised to form interactive relationships with local and global brands primarily through the mobile phone,” he added. “With PC and broadband penetration far below that of mobile, marketers and mobile operators find themselves in uncharted territory.”
Five of the world’s 10 largest cities are located in BRIC, along with four of the five top markets for new mobile subscribers. Rapid growth in entertainment and media consumption in the BRIC countries is important for marketers looking to interact with mobile consumers.
BRIC countries also have extremely high levels of prepaid mobile service — often more than 75% of the entire mobile customer base. As a result, there are far more opportunities for marketers to subsidize or sponsor part of basic mobile services such as voice minutes, text messages and even some mobile Internet access.
Even in 2008, the rate of mobile Internet use in the BRIC countries is either comparable to or above that of the US and Western Europe. For many of these markets, debates over whether mobile is an extension of or a substitute for the Web have little relevance — the mobile phone is the Web for millions, and soon hundreds of millions, of people.
by rakesh | Mar 30, 2008 | Business
(i) ITR-1 – For Individuals having salary and interest income and no other income.
(ii) ITR-2 – For Individuals and HUFs, having income from any source except from business or profession.
(iii) ITR-3 – For Individuals and HUFs being partners in firms and not having proprietory business or profession.
(iv) ITR-4 – For Individuals and HUFs having proprietory business or profession.
(v) ITR-5 – Combined Form For return of income and fringe benefits for Firms/AOP/BOI.
(vi) ITR-6 – Combined Form for return of income and fringe benefits for Companies.
(vii) ITR-7 – Combined Form for return of income and fringe benefits for Charitable / religious trusts, political parties and other non- profit organizations.
(viii) ITR-8 – Stand alone form for return of fringe benefits for persons who are not liable to file return of income but are liable to file return of fringe benefits
The return of income has to be filed by using the applicable form without any annexure (except for Form ITR-7) so as to facilitate electronic filing.
E-filing initiative of the Department has been received well and for Assessment Year 2007-08 over 20 lakh E- Returns have been filed, out of which more than 64% E-
Returns have been filed voluntarily by the tax payers. In terms of the taxes paid, these returns account for over 65% of total taxes collected.
Electronic filing of returns for assessment year 2008-09 is compulsory for corporate tax-payers and for firms liable to tax audit u/s 44AB. These tax-payers may either file their return electronically under digital signature or may transmit the data of the return electronically and thereafter submit a one page verification Form which contains a summary of the return transmitted electronically.
All other categories of taxpayers (other than charitable trusts, institutions, etc.) will have the option to file the return in a paper form or electronically, as mentioned above, or in a bar-coded return form.
The new forms will be available on the Income Tax Department’s website http://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in .The Government would urge taxpayers to use the e-filing option, since it will help the Department to serve them better.
SK/LK/30.3.08
by rakesh | Feb 25, 2008 | Rajasthan
– Revenue Surplus for the second consecutive year. Fiscal deficit reduced
– Equal emphasis on physical and social infrastructure of the state
– Focus on education, health and women’s development
– All inter-state border check posts to be abolished from May 1, 2008
– 50 % reservation for women in all Panchayati Raj institutions
– Minimum wages for unskilled, semi skilled and skilled workers raised by one third.
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt Vasundhara Raje, who also holds the finance portfolio, today presented an upbeat budget for Rajasthan for the year 2008-2009.
It is noteworthy that Smt Raje presented the state budget ahead of the Union Budget, underlining the strong fiscal performance of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, said, “In four years, our Government has significantly enhanced the physical and social infrastructure of Rajasthan. This year we intend to not just consolidate the progress we have made in the last four years but also set the pace for all-round development. We are proud to present an inclusive budget which provides a fillip to industry while taking due care of the economically weaker sections of the society.”
The highlights of the budget include approved plan expenditure for 2008-09 of Rs 15,248 crore, an estimated revenue surplus of Rs 1,183.14 crore (3.59% of revenue receipts) and fiscal deficit of Rs 5,266.91 crore (3% of GSDP).
Complimenting the state for its excellent performance, the CAG report for the year 2006-07 had recently noted that the state had achieved fiscal targets as laid down in the FRBM Act well before the timeline. The current year has ended in a revenue surplus of Rs 638 crore and fiscal deficit of Rs 3,970 crore which is 2.8% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
The key highlights of the budget for various sectors are as follows:-
Roads
. The target of rural connectivity under Bharat Nirman Yojana has been achieved one year in advance, making Rajasthan first such state in the country. Rural connectivity increased to 73%, higher than the national average of 65 %
. 9,096 panchayat headquarters out of total 9,188 gram panchayat headquarters connected with pucca roads.
Power
. Outlay for power section sector in 2008-09 at Rs 6,212 crore which is 40.74% of total plan.
. Installed power capacity raised to 6,395 MW and to further increase by 2,019 MW by the end of the current financial year.
. 4,916 feeders completed under the ‘feeder renovation programme’ leading to reduction of Transmission & Distribution losses by 9.37%.
. Focus on domestic electrification projects in rural areas.
Water resources
. Rs 50 crore provided for upkeep of old irrigation projects in 2008-09.
. Irrigation capacity exceeding one lakh hectares per year created in the last four years. A master plan will be prepared for an optimum utilization of available water which will provide irrigation for one lakh additional hectares.
Industry
. In an attempt to give a boost to the free movement of goods across the country, all inter-state border check posts to be abolished from May 1, 2008
. Budget of Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood raised from Rs 20.80 crore in 2004 to Rs 60 crore. Over one lakh youths equipped with employable skills.
. Four more animation academies to be established along with the academies of automotive design, draftsmanship and graphic design in 2008-09.
. Investment proposal exceeding Rs 500 crore in districts having no big projects will get customized package.
Medical & Health
. Medical facilities to be strengthened- Capacity expansion, new hospitals, new facilities in existing hospitals to be established
. Health Insurance schemes to be launched in all 33 districts of Rajasthan
Agriculture
. Additional state subsidy of 10-20% for drip irrigation schemes.
. Rajasthan Mission on Animal Husbandry has been established.
Women
. The reservation for women in all Panchayati Raj institutions will be increased from 33% earlier to 50 %.
. The budget has led to strengthening of various social schemes for women, BPL families, rural and urban development.
. All girls completing necessary agricultural education will be appointed as Agricultural Supervisors.
. Women’s hockey academy to be established in Ajmer next year.
Economically backward classes
. Launched the largest financial inclusion scheme connected to health insurance for all BPL families in the state – a novel scheme in which Rs 1,500 will be given to all the families covered under the health insurance scheme upon opening a bank account enabled with a smart card in the name of the female member of the family. This scheme will draw women across the state into the formal financial system and ensure they have access to credit, bank loans, etc. The scheme will be extended to groups like SCs, ST’s and farmers.
. The minimum wages for unskilled workers raised from Rs 73 to Rs 100.
. Honorarium of aanganwadi workers raised from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,600, Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for saathins and Rs 500 to Rs 800 for sahayikas.
Human Resources Development
. All government schools whose students get selected in the National Talent Scholarship Scheme will be awarded a prize of Rs 50,000 per student.
Taxes
. Simplification of tax procedures – computerization of commercial taxes department is underway. E-filing has been introduced since January 2008. E-refund to be available from August 2008.
. Harmonized system of nomenclature (HSN), followed worldwide as a standard, will be introduced for the betterment of the VAT system.
by rakesh | Feb 24, 2008 | Rajasthan
The Defence Minister, Shri AK Antony, visited the forward Areas of the desert sector today. He was accompanied by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj, GOC-in-C, Southern Command and Lieutenant General SN Handa, GOC of the Desert Corps.
During his visit, the Raksha Mantri visited the border area in Tanot Sector and was briefed by Lieutenant General SN Handa on operational and border management aspects. Thereafter, he witnessed a demonstration of the ‘Battle of Laungewala’ fought in 1971, during which the Pakistani onslaught with armour and infantry was stopped dead in its tracks by a company of 23 PUNJAB and the Indian Air Force. The grit and determination exhibited by the Indian Army during the Battle of Laungewala is a shining example of valour and sacrifice of our soldiers in the face of the enemy. In addition to his interaction with Senior Commanders and officers of the Desert Corps, he addressed a large gathering of troops of the Desert Corps. In his address, Mr Antony commended the troops for their high state of operational readiness to meet any eventuality and called upon all ranks to continue their good work. Mr. Antony exhorted the troops of the Desert Corps to emulate the valiant acts of bravery displayed by those defending Laungwala Post and called upon them to persevere in their efforts in defending the territorial integrity of the nation.
Shri AK Antony joined the troops for a barakhana and had an informal interaction with them.
by rakesh | Feb 22, 2008 | Env & Geography
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh chaired a meeting here today to review Tiger conservation status in the country and the functioning of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. While expressing concern about the decline in Tiger population, Prime Minister noted that recent estimates of Tiger population, arrived at on the basis of a new methodology, cannot be compared with earlier estimates.
Stating that the Government of India is fully committed to Tiger conservation, the Prime Minister said the Central Government will further enhance financial and organizational support for efforts in this direction. Prime Minister directed that the Centre should fund modernization of Tiger Reserves management, including recruitment of staff from local population and providing them adequate equipment. He sought a State-specific strategy for such central assistance.
Government has recently approved an enhanced relocation package of up to Rs. 10 lakhs per family for families living in Tiger Reserves. Schemes for rehabilitation of traditional hunters; for supporting new Tiger Reserves; for supporting eco-tourism benefitting local communities; for deployment of anti-poaching staff; and, for improving service conditions of forest officers have also been taken up.
Noting that some States have a better record of Tiger conservation than others, the meeting stressed the importance of concerned State Governments paying focused attention. Chief Ministers have been asked to take personal charge of Tiger conservation and forest management. The Prime Minister will convene a Conference of Chief Ministers of States with Tiger Reserves to put in place a coordinated response to the challenge of Tiger conservation.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Forests, Shri Regupathy, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and ministry of environment and forests, and Director, National Tiger Conservation Authority.
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PIB/SH/MK
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