Latest news with #MohitGupta
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ITR processing deadline extended for wrongly invalidated ITR filed electronically till March 31, 2024
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills In a move set to bring significant relief to taxpayers, the CBDT (Central Board of Direct Tax), in a circular issued today, has extended the deadline for the processing of ITRs that were electronically filed up to March 31, 2024, but had been wrongly invalidated by Income Tax Department Centralized Processing Centre (CPC), to the circular, CBDT had received various representations that CPC- Bengaluru (CPC) has gotten grievances regarding erroneous invalidation, due to various technical reasons, while processing the returns filed electronically for different assessment years. The time period for processing these returns has lapsed, latest being 31.12.2024 for AY 2023-24. Therefore, these returns need to be validated and processed as per law.'The matter has been considered by the Board and it has been decided to relax the time- frame prescribed in second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 143 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act) in exercise of its powers under section 119 of the Act. The Board hereby directs that returns of income filed electronically up to 31.03.2024 which have been erroneously invalidated by CPC shall now be processed. The intimation under sub-section (1) of section 143 of the. Act in respect of processing of such returns shall be sent to the assessees concerned by 31.03.2026', it adds .All subsequent effects under the Act, including issue of refund along with interest as applicable, shall also follow in these cases. In those cases where PAN-Aadhaar linkage is not found, refund of any amount of tax or part thereof, due under the provisions of the Act shall not be made as laid down in Circular No.03/2023 dated 28.03.2023 vide CA Mohit Gupta, 'The move, under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, relaxes the time limit for processing such returns, allowing intimation under Section 143(1) to be sent by 31st March 2026. However, refunds will not be issued where PAN-Aadhaar linkage is not completed, as per Circular No. 03/2023'Notably, if you fail to file your ITR by the due date, which is September 15, 2025 for AY 2025-26, you can still file a belated return before the 31st December of the relevant assessment year. However, if taxpayers miss out on this deadline as well, they can file an updated return within 4 years from the end of the assessment year in concern. Also, as per income tax law, the tax department has the power to process an duly filed ITR on or before the end of 9 months from the end of the financial year for which the ITR was filed.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
100% shocker: Swachh marks for water bodies cleanliness in Panchkula do not match actual conditions
Panchkula: Full 100 per cent marks in the 'cleanliness of water bodies' category came as a big surprise in the recent Swachh Survekshan, as none of the parameters match the scoring, raising questions on the marking process of the nationwide survey conducted here. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the Swachh Survekshan Toolkit, the objective of the indicator is to ensure that the "water bodies are clean, pollutant-free, well-maintained, equipped with litter bins and anti-littering measures, with at least one water body aesthetically enhanced for public use within its jurisdiction." However, not a single one of these criteria is met in the water bodies, which are highly polluted, have garbage dumps, no bins, and are not used for public purposes either. The second main part of the category was the validation methodology: "The validation for this indicator will be carried out by visiting the water bodies within the ULB's jurisdiction." But, eyebrows are being raised over these visits, which also had to capture photographs and videos at the sampled locations, as the dirty condition of these water bodies is quite visible. It's not just residents' concern; there are govt reports too highlighting how polluted rivers and drains are in the city. "Not even one out of the eleven parameters for judging water body cleanliness is being fulfilled at Panchkula. Yet, we are scoring 100 per cent marks. This can't even be a joke being played on the residents of Panchkula. So much for the authenticity and integrity of the Swachh Survekshan 2024-2025," commented Mohit Gupta, co-founder of the Save Ghaggar Campaign and founder of Solution Box. According to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Panchkula, in February this year, it found that the Ghaggar River, before meeting Sukhna Choe in Panchkula, had a Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level of 9.8 mg/L and a Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) level of 56 mg/L. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As per norms, for rivers, the ideal BOD level for healthy water bodies should be 3 mg/L or less, while COD levels should ideally be below 10 mg/L. However, the levels are exceeded by high margins in the district, raising health and environmental concerns. Similar is the plight of drains here, but it seemed to have been ignored by the Swachh inspection team. The sorry state of affairs in terms of cleanliness is no secret in Ghaggar, where all sorts of garbage and other religious and non-religious items are thrown and dumped by people from different parts of Panchkula and adjoining areas. The situation is so bad that, after losing hope in the district authorities about cleanliness, some residents are themselves carrying out cleanliness drives here under the Save Ghaggar Campaign. Even garbage can be seen flowing in drains and other rivers with dirty water. "It raises questions on the marking process for this category. Last year also they gave the same 100 per cent marks for the cleanliness of water bodies. Does the team not do ground inspection? Or do they not follow govt department reports? The water bodies have alarming BOD and COD levels and have huge waste dumps inside and at their banks. I will take up the issue with the authorities carrying out the survey, which is totally bereft of ground reality," said Tapasaya Sharma, co-founder of the Save Ghaggar Campaign. "Even the flow of natural nallahs is in complete disarray. Whether the nallahs flowing from Sector 2 or Sector 17/7, they are very dirty. Water bodies here have a permanent brown colour. Whether it is Nada or Nandana Choe, they have leachate. Sewerage is released in the nallahs near Mata Mansa Devi temple. There are even NGT reports about industrial waste being released in Ghaggar. I fail to understand how all this can be overlooked in the survey," added Mohit Gupta. However, President of the Federation of Residents Association (FORA), RP Malhotra, felt putting up of nets on old Ghaggar river bridge has helped stopping throwing of waste from the road. It may be mentioned here the city overall performed its worst ever securing 219th rank nationally and 22nd rank in state. Cleanliness of water bodies category: Scheme of marking: - Are the water bodies free from solid waste, water weeds, or any other pollutants (40/40 marks) - Is the area around all water bodies clean, well-maintained, and free from any open garbage sites or dumps within a 500-metre radius (40/40 marks) - Do the water bodies have twin bins in place to eliminate the accumulation of garbage/waste in and around them, along with anti-littering messages/signage (40/40 marks) - Is at least one body aesthetically pleasing, with the surrounding area beautified to include pavements for public use, trees, and branches (30/30 marks) MSID:: 122781697 413 | Panchkula: Full 100 per cent marks in the 'cleanliness of water bodies' category came as a big surprise in the recent Swachh Survekshan, as none of the parameters match the scoring, raising questions on the marking process of the nationwide survey conducted here. According to the Swachh Survekshan Toolkit, the objective of the indicator is to ensure that the "water bodies are clean, pollutant-free, well-maintained, equipped with litter bins and anti-littering measures, with at least one water body aesthetically enhanced for public use within its jurisdiction." However, not a single one of these criteria is met in the water bodies, which are highly polluted, have garbage dumps, no bins, and are not used for public purposes either. The second main part of the category was the validation methodology: "The validation for this indicator will be carried out by visiting the water bodies within the ULB's jurisdiction." But, eyebrows are being raised over these visits, which also had to capture photographs and videos at the sampled locations, as the dirty condition of these water bodies is quite visible. It's not just residents' concern; there are govt reports too highlighting how polluted rivers and drains are in the city. "Not even one out of the eleven parameters for judging water body cleanliness is being fulfilled at Panchkula. Yet, we are scoring 100 per cent marks. This can't even be a joke being played on the residents of Panchkula. So much for the authenticity and integrity of the Swachh Survekshan 2024-2025," commented Mohit Gupta, co-founder of the Save Ghaggar Campaign and founder of Solution Box. According to the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Panchkula, in February this year, it found that the Ghaggar River, before meeting Sukhna Choe in Panchkula, had a Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level of 9.8 mg/L and a Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) level of 56 mg/L. As per norms, for rivers, the ideal BOD level for healthy water bodies should be 3 mg/L or less, while COD levels should ideally be below 10 mg/L. However, the levels are exceeded by high margins in the district, raising health and environmental concerns. Similar is the plight of drains here, but it seemed to have been ignored by the Swachh inspection team. The sorry state of affairs in terms of cleanliness is no secret in Ghaggar, where all sorts of garbage and other religious and non-religious items are thrown and dumped by people from different parts of Panchkula and adjoining areas. The situation is so bad that, after losing hope in the district authorities about cleanliness, some residents are themselves carrying out cleanliness drives here under the Save Ghaggar Campaign. Even garbage can be seen flowing in drains and other rivers with dirty water. "It raises questions on the marking process for this category. Last year also they gave the same 100 per cent marks for the cleanliness of water bodies. Does the team not do ground inspection? Or do they not follow govt department reports? The water bodies have alarming BOD and COD levels and have huge waste dumps inside and at their banks. I will take up the issue with the authorities carrying out the survey, which is totally bereft of ground reality," said Tapasaya Sharma, co-founder of the Save Ghaggar Campaign. "Even the flow of natural nallahs is in complete disarray. Whether the nallahs flowing from Sector 2 or Sector 17/7, they are very dirty. Water bodies here have a permanent brown colour. Whether it is Nada or Nandana Choe, they have leachate. Sewerage is released in the nallahs near Mata Mansa Devi temple. There are even NGT reports about industrial waste being released in Ghaggar. I fail to understand how all this can be overlooked in the survey," added Mohit Gupta. However, President of the Federation of Residents Association (FORA), RP Malhotra, felt putting up of nets on old Ghaggar river bridge has helped stopping throwing of waste from the road. It may be mentioned here the city overall performed its worst ever securing 219th rank nationally and 22nd rank in state. Cleanliness of water bodies category: Scheme of marking: - Are the water bodies free from solid waste, water weeds, or any other pollutants (40/40 marks) - Is the area around all water bodies clean, well-maintained, and free from any open garbage sites or dumps within a 500-metre radius (40/40 marks) - Do the water bodies have twin bins in place to eliminate the accumulation of garbage/waste in and around them, along with anti-littering messages/signage (40/40 marks) - Is at least one body aesthetically pleasing, with the surrounding area beautified to include pavements for public use, trees, and branches (30/30 marks) MSID:: 122781697 413 |
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ground reality contradicts Swachh Survekshan rankings in Panchkula markets
1 2 3 4 5 6 Panchkula: Despite scoring a perfect 100 in the 'Cleanliness of Markets' category in the recent Swachh Survekshan rankings, the actual state of several key markets in Panchkula paints a very different picture. Garbage dumps, vagabonds occupying public spaces, and unsanitary conditions raise serious questions about the survey's credibility and ground assessment. Ground reality contradicts the survey results. In Sector 16, near a gym, Sector 7, and at the back of showrooms in Sectors 8 and 9, among others, garbage is strewn openly, with stray animals feeding on the waste. Sector 5, the city's commercial downtown, also suffers from long-standing sanitation issues. Garbage is dumped at the back of showrooms, and debris is also present. Jhuggis are set up in one of the sectors. Perhaps one of the most glaring cases is the Sector 17 market, where a permanent garbage site continues to cause public nuisance. According to local shopkeepers and residents, the garbage collected from neighbouring colonies is dumped in the market area, leading to foul odours, fly and mosquito breeding, and deteriorating health conditions. "We are residents and shopkeepers of Sector 17, and the garbage dump here is making life unbearable. The stench, the health hazards, and the reduced customer footfall have badly hit our business and quality of life," said a written complaint submitted to the Municipal Corporation Commissioner last month. The complaint also points out that rainy days make the situation worse, with waterlogged garbage spreading across shops and walkways. Mohit Gupta, founder of Solution Box, expressed concern over the parameters used in the market cleanliness survey. "Out of the 11 indicators and parameters, we can safely give reasonably good scores on three of the indicators: sweeping, yellow spots, and red spots. The rest of the 8 are relatively low on scores and are at best 50 percent, and therefore the market cleanliness head can in no way qualify for a 100 percent score," he commented. "Key indicators that define market cleanliness include back lane sanitation, absence of open bins, and garbage hotspots. Most markets in Panchkula fail these criteria," he added. The presence of vagabonds openly cooking, bathing, openly defecating, throwing waste in the open, and living in various marketplaces further detracts from any image of urban cleanliness. It adds to the insanitary conditions. In fact, a large number of shanties have been set up in the Sector 14 market. Vagabonds are permanently staying in the corridors of unauctioned booths and other open spaces here, even as other parts of the market are running from here. Open defecation, which is one of the assessment components, is rampant here. Yet, none of these issues seemed to have been captured during the Swachh Survekshan assessment. Residents and business owners now urge the authorities to reassess the cleanliness situation on the ground and relocate major garbage collection sites away from commercial and residential areas to restore sanitation and livability. (Photos Nitin Sharma)
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Beyond Disruption: How Tech Leaders Are Using AI To Navigate A New Era Of Economic Volatility
Mohit Gupta, the CEO of Damco Solutions , is a visionary business leader with over 30+ years of industry experience. getty While the media may have moved on from trade wars and tariffs, the underlying economic volatility is far from over. If anything, it's become more complex. For tech leaders, the real challenge today isn't just inflation or labor shortages—it's the unpredictable mix of geopolitics, policy shifts and economic signals that no longer follow old patterns. What we're seeing isn't a temporary disruption. It's a structural shift. Traditional strategies alone won't preserve margins. Lean teams won't guarantee speed. And decentralization won't ensure resilience. Today, tech leaders need to rethink how they operate in a world where change happens faster than ever. In today's unpredictable world, AI is no longer a futuristic technology. It's become a critical tool for making smarter, faster decisions. AI is helping businesses address new challenges that didn't exist a few years ago. Take supply chains, for example. Geopolitical risks, labor shortages and sudden changes in weather or regulations can disrupt operations quickly. AI helps businesses predict these disruptions before they happen by analyzing vast amounts of data and generating real-time risk assessments. It allows businesses to shift strategies, like finding new suppliers or adjusting inventory, based on changing conditions. This shift from reacting to disruptions to predicting and preparing for them is where AI shines. It's no longer just a tool for efficiency; it's now central to how businesses stay resilient in uncertain times. Smarter, More Agile Operations It's not just supply chains that are being affected by economic changes. Costs are rising across the board (energy, labor, materials, etc.). And while many businesses are already tightening belts, the challenge isn't just about cutting costs—it's about predicting how these rising costs will impact the bottom line and making proactive adjustments before it's too late. AI allows businesses to forecast how changes in supply costs or labor expenses will affect margins. By understanding these impacts in advance, companies can make smarter decisions around pricing, staffing and resource allocation rather than scrambling at the last minute to adjust. In short, AI makes it possible to protect margins proactively instead of reacting after the damage has already been done. AI For Innovation Under Constraints Another area where AI is helping businesses thrive is innovation. With so many supply-side constraints—like shortages of raw materials or sudden regulatory changes—companies need to find new ways to continue innovating, even when their normal processes are disrupted. AI makes this possible by helping companies redesign products and processes in real time. For example, when a specific material is in short supply, AI can help companies quickly identify alternative materials or design adjustments that still meet performance standards. This kind of flexibility is key to staying ahead, even in challenging times. Moreover, AI supports product development by speeding up decision-making. Instead of relying on a traditional R&D cycle, AI enables businesses to simulate and test different options quickly, speeding up innovation without sacrificing quality. Building AI-Driven Agility Into Operations AI isn't just about reacting faster—it's about building agility into the very systems that run the business. Whether it's adjusting cloud infrastructure based on real-time usage or reconfiguring production schedules based on sudden supply changes, AI is making it possible for businesses to adapt to new challenges without missing a beat. Companies are using AI to ensure their operations can sense and respond to changes as they happen. For example, AI can automatically shift workloads or resources to different areas of the business based on immediate needs. This level of automation and agility is becoming a critical part of how businesses stay competitive in a volatile world. The Role Of Policy In Tech Strategy In this new environment, businesses can no longer treat regulatory compliance as an afterthought. Regulations are evolving quickly, and the ability to stay on top of new rules—whether related to data privacy, security or cross-border commerce—can give businesses a competitive edge. AI is increasingly being used to track and analyze these changes, allowing businesses to integrate compliance into their tech strategy rather than treating it as a separate concern. This means companies can avoid costly mistakes and continue to innovate without falling behind in regulations. By using AI to understand and anticipate policy shifts, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and ensure their technology strategies align with global trends. What Comes Next For Tech Leaders The challenges of today's world are forcing tech leaders to rethink how they approach operations, innovation and risk. The key to thriving in this environment is not just about cutting costs or waiting for disruption to pass—it's about using AI to stay agile, predictive and proactive. Here are some strategic steps tech leaders can take today: • Integrate AI Into Decision-Making: Don't just test AI in small pilots—embed it deeply into your day-to-day operations, from supply chain management to pricing decisions. • Forecast And Adapt To Changing Costs: Use AI to predict how rising costs will impact your bottom line and adjust before it's too late. • Rethink Innovation In A World Of Constraints: Let AI drive faster, smarter innovation by simulating product adjustments and redesigns under new conditions. • Build For Flexibility, Not Redundancy: Focus on creating systems that can adapt to change, not just continue operating under normal conditions. • Align Your Tech Strategy With Policy: Use AI to monitor and adapt to new regulatory changes, ensuring compliance doesn't hold back innovation. In A World Of Constant Change, Intelligence Is Your Advantage In today's unpredictable world, where every decision is intertwined with global shifts in regulation, supply and customer expectations, the ability to act with intelligence is the true differentiator. AI is not a luxury—it's a necessity for staying agile and competitive in a world that won't stop changing. Tech leaders who treat AI as core to their operations, not just as a tool to reduce costs, are the ones who will thrive in the coming decade. The question isn't whether AI can help your company. The question is: How will you make AI a central part of your strategy to navigate this era of volatility? Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Time of India
10-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Built to last? Cracks, erosion appear near Ghaggar bridge within months of launch
1 2 Panchkula: Less than three months after its grand inauguration by Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, a portion of the Rs 50 crore Ghaggar river bridge project is already showing alarming signs of structural failure, raising serious questions about construction quality and public safety. What was meant to be a long-term solution for easing traffic across sectors 20-21 and 24-26 has now become a symbol of premature decay. The side slopes, designed to protect the bridge from erosion and weather damage, are eroding themselves. A site visit revealed deep cracks in the concrete and visible damage from recent rainfall, prompting fears that the road leading to Maharana Pratap Chowk and the bridge itself could be compromised, especially during the ongoing monsoon season. Mohit Gupta, founder of Solution Box, a residents' help group, said, "It raises questions on the quality of material and the kind of work that was carried out. This concrete side slope was recently built. The soil is loose here. It seems compaction of soil was not done properly, which is why it got washed away. If you see this side slope at the old Ghaggar bridge at Majri chowk, there is a stark difference in the work as compaction of soil was done properly, and the work quality is much better. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dubai's Next Icon: Experience Binghatti Aquarise Luxury Binghatti Developers FZE Learn More Undo " N K Payal, executive engineer, Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), that implemented the project here, said, "This side slope protection is built to protect the road and not the bridge. Though this entire road, the chowk, and bridge are part of the same project, the slope is built at a place which 3-4ft high. It will not impact the bridge at all." "The slope work is currently going on. The thrown concrete you see here was put on Tuesday only in view of rain so that soil does not wash away as there is no grass. However, the contractor is responsible for repairs under the 10-year defect liability period, and if any portion is damaged, it will be fixed by him," Payal assured. BOX: Long delayed project: The bridge was inaugurated by Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini amid much fanfare on April 20. The 360-metre-long and 16-metre-wide bridge connects Sectors 20-21 with 24-26. It also reduces travel to Zirakpur, Rajpura, Patiala, and Mohali airports. This bridge is a part of the PR-7 ring road connecting Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Residents residing near Sectors 20-21 lament about traffic congestion in the absence of any traffic lights or traffic cops here. Delay reason: HSVP officials said the project started in 2020 with a two-year compeletion deadline but got delayed due to various reasons like environmental clearances, COVID-19, and monsoon disruptions. Earlier, the Punjab govt's in-principle approval for the work came late. The connecting road falls in its jurisdiction.
