Latest news with #SRO
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
NSS launches key surveys in Sivaganga village as part of 75th anniversary
Sivaganga: As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the National Sample Survey (NSS), the Virudhunagar sub-regional office (SRO) conducted a community meeting and launched the Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey (DTES) and the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) at Konthagai village in Sivaganga district on Monday. The event, held at the Muniyandipuram community hall, was inaugurated by assistant director V Rethinam, who highlighted the NSS's history and its contribution to national development. Konthagai has been chosen as a sample village for the surveys, he said. Deputy director A Sundar Anand underscored the importance of agricultural statistics and the role of both central and state governments in data collection for policymaking. Officials, including the block development officer, tahsildar of Thiruppuvanam, local panchayat representatives, and villagers took part in the event, which featured a tree plantation drive, a photo exhibition on NSS milestones, and a drama highlighting the importance of statistical surveys. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by survey supervisor V Rajesh Kumar.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
APTMA approaches Aurangzeb: Call to issue SRO issuance to impose 18pc sales tax on cotton fibre, yarn, & greige cloth imports
ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has approached Finance Minister, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to issue an SRO (Statuary Regulatory Order) for the imposition of 18% sales tax on cotton fiber, yarn, and greige cloth imports without further delay. In a letter to Finance Minister, Chairman APTMA, Kamran Arshad has drawn his attention to the commitment made in the Federal Budget 2025–26 to impose 18% sales tax on all imports of cotton fiber, yarn of all kinds, and greige fabric, while retaining these items under the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS). 'Our original request was for their complete exclusion from the EFS considering the damage caused by unnecessary imports to the domestic industry. Nevertheless, the important correction of equalizing the tax treatment of local and imported supplies for exports was pledged during announcement and presentation of the budget,' Chairman APTMA said adding that it has now been a month and a half since the Budget speech and almost three weeks since the Budget was passed; in accordance with the Deputy Prime Minister's Committee's decision, sales tax was to be imposed from July 15, onwards and this date has also passed. Yet the requisite SRO has not been issued. The Association further stated that delay coincides with the arrival of the new cotton crop, for which there are no buyers in the market. The tax disparity has eroded demand for locally grown cotton and domestically manufactured yarn and greige cloth. Given the continued uncertainty regarding the imposition of equivalent sales tax on imports, traders and mills are unwilling to off-take the new crop. Textiles account for over half of Pakistan's exports and represent one of the few sectors showing robust growth-exports increased by $1.5 billion in FY 2024–25. However, during the same period, textile sector imports rose by approximately US$1.5-2 billion, yielding a net loss for the balance of payments. The current account remains precariously balanced due to temporarily low international oil and gas prices. This situation cannot be sustained in the medium or long term. Pakistan must increase the share for domestic value addition in its exports, yet current policy incentives run counter to that objective. 'We submit that any further delay in issuing the promised SRO will exacerbate mill closures, businessmen migrating abroad, and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. To safeguard the livelihood of our growers, spinners, and exporters-and to uphold the Federal Government's own fiscal and export targets we request that the SRO for imposition of 18% sales tax on cotton fibre, yarn, and greige cloth imports be issued without further delay,' he maintained. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
Rs 97K unaccounted cash found in three sub-registrar offices in Telangana
HYDERABAD: The ACB on Thursday conducted surprise inspections at sub-registrar offices in Bibi Nagar (Nalgonda), Sadashivapet (Medak) and Jadcherla (Mahbubnagar), seizing unaccounted cash totalling Rs 97,880. At Bibi Nagar, officials found Rs 61,430 in unaccounted cash, 12 unauthorised private agents and document writers on the premises, and 93 registered documents meant for dispatch in the custody of SRO staff. CCTV cameras were also non-functional. In Jadcherla, Rs 30,900 was seized. Officials found 11 unauthorised private agents and 20 registered documents in SRO custody. Several records were reportedly not maintained. In Sadashivapet, officials seized Rs 5,550 and found 9 unauthorised private agents and document writers.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
ACB raids in Sub-Registrar Offices across Telangana reveals irregularities
The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) carried out raids at three Sub-Registrar Offices (SRO) across the State on Thursday, July 17. The checks were conducted at Bibi Nagar in Nalgonda district, Sadashivapet in Medak district, and Jadcherla in Mahabubnagar district, leading to the seizure of nearly ₹98,000 and revealing a host of irregularities. At the Sub-Registrar Office in Bibi Nagar, officials seized unaccounted cash amounting to ₹61,430. Authorities also found 12 unauthorised private agents and document writers operating within the premises. During the inspection, 93 registered documents that were meant to be dispatched were discovered in the possession of SRO staff. The closed-circuit cameras installed on site were found to be non-functional, and multiple government registers had not been properly maintained. In Jadcherla, Mahabubnagar district, the ACB team seized ₹30,900 in unaccounted cash and found 11 unauthorised agents working inside the office. A total of 20 registered documents were found inappropriately retained by staff, and several official records were not properly maintained. The Sadashivapet office in Medak district saw the seizure of ₹5,550 in unaccounted money. Nine unauthorised private agents were present inside the office, and 39 registered documents that should have been dispatched were instead held by SRO staff. As in Bibi Nagar, the CCTV cameras were not operational and several government registers had not been updated. ACB officials also reported inconsistencies in the personal cash held by SRO staff and their personal cash registers. Additional irregularities were noted during the inspection. The ACB has stated that detailed reports from all three locations will be submitted to the government for further action. The public has been urged to report any instances of bribery by government servants by calling the ACB toll-free helpline at 1064. Citizens may also use social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X, to report complaints. The identity and details of complainants will be kept strictly confidential.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
ST cut on sugar imports: PAC grills tax authorities over FBR's decision
ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday grilled tax authorities over a controversial decision by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to slash sales tax on sugar imports from 18 per cent to a mere 0.25 per cent, alleging the move was intended to benefit powerful lobbies. PAC member Riaz Fatyana raised the issue during a session chaired by Junaid Akbar Khan, pointing out that the drastic reduction was implemented through a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO), which he said served vested interests. 'This decision reeks of favouritism,' Fatyana said. 'It appears to have been designed to give financial advantage to specific groups.' Committee member Sanaullah Khan Masti Khel didnot minces words, calling it a 'broad daylight robbery' and accusing the authorities of colluding with sugar cartels. MNA Moeen Aamir Pirzada added that the practice of exporting sugar first and then importing it back was an engineered cycle designed for profit manipulation. The committee expressed strong reservations and summoned top officials from the FBR and the Ministry of Commerce to appear in the next session to explain the rationale and legality of the tax reduction. 'This is not just mismanagement; it's systemic exploitation,' said Masti Khel. The PAC warned that it would not let the matter slide without a thorough investigation and accountability.
