Latest news with #D.K.Shivakumar
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
250 villages of Kanakapura taluk to get Cauvery water: DKS
Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said a plan would be formulated to supply drinking water from the river Cauvery to 250 villages in Kanakapura taluk in Bengaluru South (former Ramanagara) district of Karnataka. 'We are planning to pump Cauvery water from near Sangam to 250 villages for drinking purposes. The project to supply Cauvery water to the tanks of the taluk has already been kicked off,' he said, while addressing a Janaspandana programme at Kodihalli in Kanakapura Assembly constituency on July 21.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
GST notice: State and Centre have to agree on reprieve for small traders
Small traders and businessmen, who have come under the lens of the Commercial Taxes Department over the non-payment of Goods and Services Tax (GST) over the last four years for UPI transactions, can get a reprieve only if the State and the Central governments agree to a solution. While the department is learnt to have issued notices to over 10,000 businesses based on the UPI transactions, it is difficult for the government to waive the penalty/interest or the tax burden, department officials say. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar claimed that the number of notices could be about 14,000, and said that the State would write to the Centre to withdraw notices, and blamed the BJP for the current problem. 'Both governments have to decide in the GST Council on the future course of action since both the State and the Central GST are involved,' an official said, adding that trade bodies and associations could petition the government over the inability of traders to pay tax retrospectively. Based on information from PhonePe and Paytm, traders offering goods and who have exceeded ₹40 lakh in UPI transactions per annum and those offering services and who have exceeded ₹20 lakhs in transactions per annum have been issued the notices. Sources said that Google Pay transactions are yet to be assessed. 'Because the tax liability can be flagged for the previous four years, the notices have been issued from 2021-2022 and till January 2025 when the department received data,' a senior Commercial Tax official explained. On Monday, officials also interacted with anxious small traders, who came to clarify their doubts, and explained the reason behind issuing the notices. 'Notice is a mode of communication or an intimation. Traders need not be worried. If exempted goods were handled, the notices will be withdrawn. The department will hear from traders and businesses will be assessed before the tax demand is issued,' Joint Commissioner of Commercial Tax Meera S. Pandit told the audience. The exempted goods include vegetables, fruits, flowers, milk, unbranded or unpacked foodgrains, handicrafts, petrol, diesel, and liquor. If the trader is selling other than exempted goods in his shop, the GST will apply to those goods only, the department has clarified. On the 18% GST demand raised in the notices, the official clarified: 'Based on the documents provided on the transactions and other information, the final tax demand could come down. The demand can only be lowered but not increased when the demand order is issued'. She pointed to similar exercises being carried out in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. 'Though the notices have asked the traders to respond within seven or 10 days, sufficient time would be provided. Three reminders will be sent and officials will also call the trader on phone. The assessment will be based on the best judgment and closer to reality if documents cannot be provided. The tax demand is not to trouble anyone or dip into profits,' Ms. Pandit said. Meanwhile, after the outcry by traders, the department has changed the format for issuing notices. While initial notices provided details of transactions, possible tax liabilities at the rate of 18% GST, interest and penalty, currently notices are being issued to traders, intimating them of transaction of over ₹40 lakh, which requires registration under the GST regime.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CM says Karnataka will take up issue of GST notices to small traders with Centre
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the State government will take up with the Centre the issue of small traders getting GST notices from the Commercial Taxes Department for transactions through UPI. He also made it clear that the issue would be discussed with the State Commercial Taxes Department before making a decision in this regard. 'The Goods and Sales Tax (GST) Council comes under the purview of the Centre. However, the State government will take up the matter with the Union government and discuss it with the State's Commercial Taxes Department, and take a decision,' Mr. Siddaramaiah told presspersons in Mysuru. It may be noted that a section of the small and micro traders in the State have taken exception to getting notices with respect to taxes based on their transactions via UPI. Meanwhile, asking the small traders not to worry about the GST-related notices, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accused the Union government of creating trouble for small traders and street vendors by introducing GST. 'Notices are being issued to those who are conducting business of over ₹40 lakh,' he said in Hoskote, near here, where an event was organised to distribute government benefits. He said: 'This is the achievement of the Union government. The traders do not have to worry. We will take necessary actions to protect their interests.' The Deputy Chief Minister said though the State had appealed to the Centre several times seeking funds over the last two years, the BJP MPs are not speaking. 'They are not concerned about the poor in the State.' Accusing the BJP of not doing enough, he said that the Congress government was committed to getting Yettinahole waters to Bengaluru North district before 2027 and the government had decided to prepare a DPR to bring metro to Hoskote. 'We will ensure it is approved during our term.' Mr. Shivakumar also pointed out that the government had taken steps to regularise B-khata properties in Bengaluru, and that over a crore patta khatas are being given to Scheduled Tribes.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Jagadish Shettar says internal conflict is weakening Congress govt. in State
'All is not well with the Congress government in Karnataka. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is making all efforts to become the mid-term Chief Minister. Such internal conflict is weakening the party and the government,' BJP MP Jagadish Shettar said in Hubballi on Sunday. He told reporters that Mr. Shivakumar left the stage after finishing his speech at the Sadhana Samavesha programme in Mysuru, indicating that everything is not right within the government. 'It is obvious that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is feeling insecure. Such infighting between leaders will lead to a situation where the Congress government will not complete its full term,' Mr. Shettar said. 'There is no proper governance and the law and order situation has deteriorated in the State,' he said. Mr. Shettar said that the Chief Minister's offer of releasing ₹50 crore for development works in each constituency is not sufficient. 'Similar grants in the past were in the range of ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore. That has been reduced. The announcement has been timed to see that it is made just before the monsoon session. This is only to see that MLAs do not create noise during the session. This is just for show. I also think that it is being done at the direction of AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala who has become the 'super CM'. This is not acceptable,' Mr. Shettar said.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kabini dam restoration work to be taken up at a cost of ₹32.25 crore: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the State Government will soon take up work on restoration of Kabini dam at a cost of ₹32.25 crore. Speaking to reporters after offering bagina to Kabini reservoir on Sunday (July 20, 2025), Mr. Siddaramaiah said the State Cabinet meeting held recently at MM Hills had approved the restoration project for the dam, which is about 51 years old. Outflow from Kabini to be increased, flood warning issued The construction of Kabini reservoir began in 1959 and was completed in 1974. As 51 years had elapsed since its construction was completed, the Government had decided to take up work on its restoration and strengthening. He, however, hastened to clarify that the Government's restoration work does not mean that the dam had become weak. It may be mentioned here that concerns had been expressed in certain quarters about the minor cracks and cavities in the dam structure. But, Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) had ruled out any immediate threat to the dam. 'The Government will also take up work on modernisation of Taraka canal system,' he added. 'The Kabini, which takes birth in Kerala, and joins Cauvery at T. Narsipura, is a tributary of Cauvery. The Kabini river irrigates 1,08,000 acres of land,' he said. Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Government was also planning to build a garden on the lines of Brindavan Gardens at KRS reservoir. To a question, the Chief Minister said more than the stipulated quantity of water was flowing to Tamil Nadu and regretted that the Centre was not giving permission to the State to build a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu. When his attention was drawn to BJP's suggestion that the Congress Government should convince its INDIA ally DMK, which is the ruling party in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Mr. Siddaramaiah shot back and asked why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders was not able to persuade their party's leaders in BJP-ruled Goa to permit the Mahadayi project in Karnataka, which is long pending. However, he said the State Government was ready for Mekedatu project if the Centre gives permission for the same. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, said the State Government had sent its technical teams to all dams to study their safety after a crest gate at Tungabhadra dam was washed away about a year back. The Government will take up any work that is necessary for the safety of dams on a priority basis while adding that the restoration work of Kabini dam will also be taken up. Responding to a request from HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu, the State Government was considering a proposal to take up project to develop a garden at Kabini dam under public private partnership (PPP) model. When asked about the demand for celebrating Kabini Utsav, Mr. Shivakumar said he will discuss the matter with the Minister in charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa and take a decision. He said, 'The Government had already planned to hold a Cauvery Arathi at KRS reservoir and added that the project will not only boost tourism, but also generate employment. However, he said the Government's first priority was safety of the dams.' Mr. Mahadevappa, MLAs Anil Chikkamadu, Harish Gowda, A.R. Krishnamurthy and Darshan Dhruvanarayan and MLC D. Thimmaiah and others also accompanied the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister while offering bagina to Kabini on Sunday (July 20, 2025.)
