Latest news with #Surana
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Nutrition bars to be given to adolescent girls to address anaemia
The Telangana government, on Thursday, launched a scheme to provide nutrition bars, made of peanuts and millets, to address anaemia among adolescent girls (14-18 years). Each bar consists of 600 calories, 18-20 grams of protein and necessary micronutrients. Anaemia can result in weakness, diminished physical and mental capacity, maternal mortality, increased morbidity from infectious diseases, perinatal mortality, premature delivery, low birth weight, and (in children) impaired cognitive performance, motor development, and scholastic achievement, according to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 report. Women and Child Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya launched the scheme titled Indiramma Amrutham on a pilot project basis, which would be implemented in Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Jayashankar Bhupalapally districts, where there are more cases of anaemia. The scheme was designed in consultation with the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). It would benefit 50,269 girls: 23,399 in Bhadradri Kothagudem, 18,230 in Asifabad and 8,640 in Jayashankar Bhupalapally. Depending on the feedback, it would be extended to other districts. Two free packets would be given to each through Anganwadi centres, and each packet will have 15 nutrition bars. 'Anaemia is a condition that is marked by low levels of haemoglobin in blood. Iron deficiency is estimated to be responsible for about half of all anaemia globally, but anaemia can also be caused by malaria, hookworms and other helminths, other nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections, and genetic conditions,' according to the NFHS report. Prevalence in Telangana According to the report, 58% of women in Telangana have anaemia. It was particularly high among rural women, women aged 15-19, and Scheduled Tribe women. More than two-thirds (70%) of children aged 6-59 months are anaemic. Some parents consult dieticians with a complaint that though iron rich foods were given, the mineral is deficient in their children. Dietitian Shubhangi Surana, founder, Rainbow Nutrition Clinic in Secunderabad, said that what people have along with the foods plays a role in absorption of iron. 'Incorporate Vitamin C when eating Iron. It always helps. Lemon, Guava, Tamarind, Tomatoes - to an extent - are sources of vitamin C. Calcium is antagonist to iron. So avoid Calcium rich foods with iron,' said Ms. Surana. Abitha Chilkuri, dietician and nutritionist, said that coffee and tea with milk contains toxins that bind with dietary iron and make it unavailable for absorption. 'They should be avoided for at least an hour before, during or immediately after a meal,' she said. Ms. Surana said that Calcium (for bone development), Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Iodine, fiber are other nutritional requirements for the girls in the age group. In order to achieve optimum growth, bone mass, muscle mass and overall good health without any vitamin and mineral deficiencies and to improve longevity adolescents must consume food that is rich in calcium such as finger millet(ragi), green leafy vegetables like amaranth, sesame seeds, milk and milk products, said Ms. Abitha.
India Today
7 days ago
- Business
- India Today
ITR deadline extension: Why it happened and what you need to do now
Here's a relief for taxpayers - the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the last date for filing income tax returns (ITRs) for the assessment year 2025–26. The earlier deadline of July 31, 2025 has now been pushed to September 15, DID THE CBDT EXTEND THE ITR DEADLINE?The main reason for this extension is the recent changes in the ITR forms. These forms have been updated with new layouts and extra details to make the process more transparent and accurate for taxpayers. But with these changes, the income tax department also needs more time to update its systems and make sure everything works to CA (Dr) Suresh Surana, 'The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has vide Press release dated May 27, 2025 extended the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2025-26 from July 31, 2025 to September 15, 2025. This decision has been taken in view of significant structural and content changes in the ITR forms, which require additional time for system development and utility integration.' Further, Dr Surana explained that the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) credits, which are important while filing your ITR, will only start appearing from early June. This left taxpayers with very little time to file returns before the earlier July-end said 'With TDS credits expected to reflect only in early June, the effective return filing window was limited. The extension aims to ensure a smooth and accurate filing process while addressing stakeholder concerns. It is expected that a formal notification would follow.'A STEP TOWARDS EASIER FILINGadvertisementThis move also fits into the government's long-term plan to modernise the income tax system. With new tech upgrades, automated tools, and smarter systems, filing taxes is expected to become quicker and easier for SHOULD YOU DO NOW?Even though the deadline to file your ITR has been extended to September 15, 2025, it's still wise to get started early. Waiting till the last minute often leads to unnecessary stress and by gathering all your income details. This includes your salary slips, interest from savings and fixed deposits, capital gains from investments, rental income, or any freelance or side calculate your total tax liability for the year and check how much tax you still owe. It's important to pay any remaining tax without delay, as the payment deadline hasn't changed. Delaying payment can lead to interest charges under Section 234B of the Income Tax can also update your bank account details, verify TDS credits once they start appearing, and check for any pre-filled information available on the income tax portal. Lastly, keep all your documents neatly organised so you're ready to file the moment the system is fully updated.
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Compare Form 16 and 26AS carefully, alert employer promptly on errors
Employers will soon issue Form 16, as they are mandated to do so by June 15. Salaried individuals must understand how to use this document effectively while filing their income tax returns (ITRs). Significance of Form 16 Form 16 is a key document for salaried individuals. 'It serves as an essential certificate of tax deducted at source (TDS) on salary income by the employer,' says Suresh Surana, a Mumbai-based chartered accountant. It consolidates salary income, deductions, and taxes. 'It simplifies the tax filing process by making all the relevant data readily available,' says Shefali Mundra, tax expert at ClearTax. Form 16 comprises Part A and Part B. Part A contains the employer's tax deduction account number (TAN), the employee's permanent account number (PAN), and a quarterly summary of salary paid and TDS deposited. Part B includes a breakdown of salary, allowances, perquisites, and deductions under Chapter VI-A (e.g., Sections 80C, 80D, etc.). 'It also reflects the computation of total income and tax liability based on applicable slabs,' says Surana. The income tax portal allows auto-population of ITR forms using Form 16 data. 'Such imported information should be carefully cross-verified with the employee's pay slips to ensure consistency in salary components, deductions, and exemptions,' says Surana. Role of Form 26AS Form 26AS, generated by the Income Tax Department, provides a consolidated view of all tax credits linked to the taxpayer's PAN, including TDS from various sources, such as banks, financial institutions, and even buyers in property transactions. It also reflects advance tax payments, self-assessment tax, and refund details. 'It serves as a centralised view of all tax credits available to a taxpayer. It is crucial for verifying that taxes deducted have actually been deposited with the government,' says Mundra. Many employees do not report income from fixed deposits or freelance work to their employer. 'As a result, this income, though taxed via TDS and reflected in Form 26AS, is missing from Form 16. If this income is not reported in the ITR, it can trigger income tax notices, delayed refunds, or additional tax demands,' says Mundra. Surana adds that cross-verification also helps verify any other income or high-value transaction reported in Form 26AS that needs to be disclosed in the return. Addressing mismatches TDS mismatches may occur between Form 16 and Form 26AS. 'An incorrect PAN in the employer's records may lead to missing TDS entries in Form 26AS. Mismatches could also happen due to incorrect TDS deposits by the employer,' says Santhosh Sivaraj, partner, global employer services, tax & regulatory services, BDO India. Verify that your PAN is correctly recorded in your employer's records. 'If there is a mismatch, contact your HR or payroll team and have your employer revise the TDS return with the updated details,' says Sivaraj. Once revised, the data will reflect in Form 26AS. Handling errors in Form 16 Form 16's accuracy depends entirely on the correctness of the data fed into it. 'Errors may include incorrect PAN details, omission of deductions due to missing proofs, wrong calculation of HRA or LTA exemptions, or incorrect tax computation. Sometimes the employer might employ an incorrect tax slab or fail to adjust for previous employment income,' says Amit Baid, head of tax, BTG Advaya. For issues in either Part A or Part B, contact the employer's HR or payroll team. 'For errors in Part A, which relate to TDS details generated through TRACES, the employer will need to correct the errors by filing a revised TDS return. For errors in Part B, which has the salary computation and break up prepared by the employer, the payroll or HR team should be approached directly to issue a revised Form 16,' says Baid.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Udaipur halts rs 3,000 cr marble imports from Turkey for backing Pakistan in Op Sindoor; ‘India needs no allies', say netizens
Udaipur's marble industry, one of Asia's largest, has suspended imports from Turkey amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The move came after Turkey publicly supported Pakistan during the recent conflict. Local marble traders have also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting strong action against Turkey. Imports worth rs 3,000 crore affected India imports 14–16 lakh tonnes of marble annually, with 70% coming from Turkey. Udaipur alone hosts around 125 marble processing units, of which 40–50 directly import Turkish marble. With the boycott now in effect, marble imports worth an estimated Rs 3,000 crore have been impacted. Udaipur traders appeal to PM Modi The Udaipur Marble Processors Committee, led by its president Kapil Surana, has appealed to the central government to officially end trade with Turkey and other nations that sided with Pakistan. 'We are one of the biggest markets for Turkish marble. We have urged the PM to take firm action,' said Surana. The committee is also in touch with marble associations across India for a broader boycott. #WATCH | Udaipur, Rajasthan: Udaipur marble traders end business with Turkiye for siding with Pakistan amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Kapil Surana, President of Udaipur Marble Processors Committee, says, "Udaipur is Asia's biggest exporter of marbles. All… Support for Indian marble likely to grow According to Surana, the decision to stop trade with Turkey sends a strong signal that the Indian government has the full backing of industries. 'If we stop trade with Turkey, the demand for Indian marble will grow,' he said. Traders believe this will also help promote Indian products and reduce dependence on politically sensitive imports. Other regions may join the boycott Udaipur's call for boycott may soon be joined by other key marble hubs such as Kishangarh, Rajsamand, and Chittorgarh. These regions are also significant players in India's marble market and have been importing cost-effective marble with a wide range of colors from Turkey. Public sentiment reflects shift in trade and tourism The boycott by Udaipur traders follows a broader sentiment shift in India against Turkey and Azerbaijan. Both nations had condemned India's Operation Sindoor strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian tourism platforms like EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have also advised against travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan citing security and diplomatic tensions. Social media backs the move Reactions on social media largely supported the marble traders' decision. One user wrote, 'India has a population of 150 crores, which is four times that of Turkey and Pakistan combined. A united India needs no allies.' India has a population of 150 crores, which is 4 times the population of Turkey & Pakistan combined. A united India needs no allies! Another added, 'If we are boycotting Turkey and Azerbaijan, China should definitely be on the list too.' Agree with you if we are boycotting Azerbaijan and Turkey then definitely China too should be on top for boycott
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Won money on Dream11, My11Circle? Know income tax rules for this casual income
Dream11 win: Winnings from lottery, online gaming, online sports betting, etc., are considered casual income for income tax purposes, as per tax experts. However, taxpayers are not aware of the tax rate applicable on casual income earned. Read on to know the latest income tax rules if money is earned from sports betting, and the penal consequences if it is not reported. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Earnings from sports betting and online gaming are casual income Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Under which section are winnings from online gaming and sports betting taxed? Income tax rate for winnings from online games Can you claim any deductions on income in the form of winnings from online games? How are winnings from Dream11 and online games taxed? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Penalty for not disclosing casual income in ITR The Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently underway, and many people are earning money through sports betting apps, such as Dream11 , My11Circle, etc. However, few individuals are aware of the income tax rules concerning earnings from these sporting apps and the potential penalties for not reporting this income to the tax Wealth online decodes the income tax rules applicable to this casual income and the penalties for failing to pay tax on to tax experts, winnings from lottery, online gaming, online sports betting, etc., are considered casual income for income tax Surana, a practising chartered accountant, says, "Casual income under the Income-tax Act, 1961, refers to the income that is received on an irregular, non-recurring basis. Such income is characterised by its uncertain and non-recurring nature and is typically derived without any systematic or organised effort by the recipient."Hemen Asher, Partner, Bhuta Shah & Co LLP, says, "Casual income is irregular and non-recurring in nature and also includes any income which is not captured under any other head of income. Examples of casual income include winnings/earnings from crossword puzzles, lotteries, races (including horse races), games in the nature of betting/gambling, card games, game shows and online gaming, etc."Surana says, "Such income is taxable under the head income from other sources, as per Section 56(2)(ib) read with Section 2(24)(ix) of the Income Tax Act. In the ITR form, you are required to disclose the earnings under the section 'income from other sources.'"The Income Tax Act mentions a special tax rate at which winnings from online games, sports betting, and other casual income are says, "The taxation of casual income is subject to a special tax rate. It is taxed at a flat rate of 30% under section 115BB/115BBJ of the Income Tax Act. The applicability of the section depends on the source of income. Additionally, a surcharge and health and education cess will be applied to the special rate."According to the Income Tax Act, Section 115BB is applicable to income which includes winnings from any lottery, crossword puzzle, or race, including a horse race or card game and other games of any sort or from gambling or betting of any form. On the other hand, Section 115BBJ applies to winnings from online deducted at source (TDS) will also apply to the casual income. Surana says, "TDS at the rate of 30% applies to such winnings, as per Sections 194B/194BA/194BB of the Income Tax Act if the winnings amount exceeds Rs 10,000 per transaction. It is pertinent to note that such threshold of Rs. 10,000 only applies in case of Section 194B and 194BB, as no threshold limit is applicable in case of Section 194BA w.r.t. winnings from online games."Currently, the Income Tax Act has two tax regimes: the old and the new. The old tax regime offers various deductions to individual taxpayers. However, not many deductions are available for taxpayers in the new tax says, "No deductions for any expenditure or allowance are permitted against such income i.e., winnings from online games etc. Further, taxpayers cannot claim any deductions, such as sections 80C, 80D, etc., from casual income in any tax regime."Asher says, "The winnings earned from online gaming apps and betting apps are taxed on a gross basis. The benefit of the basic exemption limit is also not applicable to the casual income. This means that even if your total income, excluding winnings from online games and fantasy games, is below the basic exemption limit, ITR filing is mandatory to pay tax on the casual income."Asher explains this with an example. Suppose your total income is Rs 2.5 lakh, and you additionally have winnings from Dream11 amounting to Rs 50,000. Your total income, including winnings from Dream11, is Rs 3 lakh, which is below the basic exemption limit of Rs 4 lakh under the new tax regime for FY 2025-26. However, you are required to pay tax on winnings of Rs 50,000 from Dream11 at a special tax rate of 30%, in addition to health and education cess, and file your ITR as per the income tax income in the form of winnings from online games is taxable in the hands of a taxpayer. If the winnings are not disclosed, the taxpayer may face some penal says, "Upon detection, penalties can be levied under Section 270A for under-reporting or misreporting income. The penalties may range from 50% to 200% of the amount of tax payable on such disclosed income. Further, interest under Sections 234B and 234C may apply to late advance tax payments. In cases of deliberate tax evasion through non-reporting or under-reporting, a taxpayer may also be subject to prosecution."Asher says, "Non-reporting of casual income could potentially lead to scrutiny by the tax authorities, resulting in additional litigation costs. Therefore, one must take appropriate safeguards and ensure that all casual income one earns is duly captured and reported in the tax return, and the due taxes are paid."
