Postal Saving Schemes: Less Return But Still Reliable

वर्तमान वित्तीय सत्र खत्म होने को है। रिटर्न फाइल करने का काम अब शुरू होने वाला है। टैक्स बचाने के लिए जुगतें भिड़ाना अब शुरू हो चुका है।
हाल ही में, संसद में एक सवाल के जवाब में संचार और सूचना प्रोद्योगिकी राज्यमंत्री सचिन पायलट ने डाकखाने द्वारा उपलब्ध कराए जाने वाली कई लघु निवेश योजनाओं के बारे में विस्तार से बताया। इन निवेश योजनाओं को ज्यादा आकर्षक बनाने के लिए इनमें कुछ परिवर्तन भी किए गए हैं। आप के काम आ सकता है ये लेख...

-- धर्मेंद्र कुमार

Central and State Governments take various measures from time to time to promote and popularize small savings scheme through media as well as holding seminars, meetings and providing training to the various agencies involved in mobilizing deposits under these schemes.

Recently, Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, replied in response to a question in Parliament about new initiatives taken in these schemes. The motive for these initiatives is to make the small savings schemes attractive and investor friendly. The initiatives are:-

The restriction on opening of more than one account during a calendar month under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme has been removed with effect from 24th May, 2007.

All categories of pensioners have been allowed to open and maintain ‘Pension Account’ under Post Office Savings Account Rules, with effect from 11th July, 2007.

The penalty on pre-mature withdrawal of deposits under the Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) scheme has been rationalized from 3.5% to 2% on withdrawal on or before expiry of three years and 1% on withdrawal after expiry of three years.

The maximum deposit ceilings of `3.00 lakh and `6.00 lakh under the Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) Scheme has been raised to `4.50 lakh and `9.00 lakh in respect of single and joint accounts respectively.

Bonus at the rate of 5% on the deposits made under Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) Scheme on or after 8th December 2007 upon the maturity of the deposit has been reintroduced.

The benefit of Section 8OC of the Income Tax Act, 1961 has been extended to the investments made under 5-year Post Office Time Deposits Account and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, with effect from April 1, 2007.

Website, nsiindia.gov.in, of the National Savings Institute under Government of India, Ministry of Finance has also been launched to facilitate interface with the public through wider dissemination of information on small savings and on-line registration and settlement of investors’ grievances.

The details of various Small savings Schemes operated by DoP are:-

Post Office Savings Account

3.5% per annum on individual/ joint accounts, Minimum `20/- for opening the account, Maximum balance of `1,00,000/- for an individual account. `2,00,000/- for joint account.

• Account can be opened by cash only.

• Cheque facility available if an account is opened with `500/- and for this minimum balance of `500/-in an account is to be maintained.

• Cheque facility can be taken in an existing account also.

• Interest earned is Tax Free up to `3500/- per year.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account.

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• One account can be opened in one post office subject to balance in all accounts should not exceed limit of `1 Lakh and 2 Lakh in single/joint account.

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account.

• Joint account can be opened by two or three adults.

• At least one transaction of deposit or withdrawal in three financial years is necessary to keep the account active.

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa.

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name.

5-Year Post Office Recurring Deposit Account

On maturity `10/- account fetches `728.90/-. It can be continued for another 5 years on year to year basis.

Minimum `10/- per month or any amount in multiples of `5/-. No maximum limit.

• Account can be opened by cash/cheque and in case of cheque, the date of deposit shall be date of presentation of cheque.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account.

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office.

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account.

• Joint account can be opened by two adults.

• If monthly deposit is not made up to the last working day, a default fee is charged. After 4 regular defaults, the account becomes discontinued and can be revived in two months but if the same is not revived within this period, no further deposit can be made.

• There is rebate on advance deposit of at least 6 installments.

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa.

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name.

• One withdrawal upto 50% of the balance allowed after one year.

• Full maturity value allowed on RD Accounts restricted to that of `50/- denomination in case of death of depositor subject to fulfillment of certain conditions.

Post Office Term Deposit Account

Interest payable annually but calculated quarterly.

Period Rate

1yr.A/c 6.25%

2yr.A/c 6.50%

3yr.A/c 7.25%

5yr.A/c 7.50%

Minimum `200/- and in multiple thereof. No maximum limit.

• Account may be opened by individual.

• Account can be opened by cash/cheque and in case of cheque the date of realization of cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account.

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office.

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account.

• Joint account can be opened by two adults.

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa.

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name.

• 2, 3 & 5 year account can be closed after 1 year at discount. Account can also be closed after six months but before one year without interest.

• The investment under 5 years TD qualifies for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 from April 1, 2007.

Post Office Monthly Income Account

8% per annum payable i.e. `80/- will be paid every month on a deposit of `12000/-, In multiples of `1500/- Maximum, `4.5 lakhs in single account and `9 lakhs in joint account.

• Account may be opened by individual.

• Account can be opened by cash/cheque and in case of cheque the date of realization of cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account.

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts.

• Account can be opened in the name of minor and a minor of 10 years and above age can open and operate the account.

• Joint account can be opened by two or three adults.

• All joint account holders have equal share in each joint account.

• Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa.

• Minor after attaining majority has to apply for conversion of the account in his name.

• Maturity period is 6 years.

• Interest can be drawn through auto credit into savings account standing at same post office, through PDCs or ECS.

• Can be prematurely encashed after one year but before 3 years at the discount of 2% of the deposit and after 3 years at the discount of 1% of the deposit. (Discount means deduction from the deposit.)

• A bonus of 5% on principal amount is admissible on maturity in respect of MIS accounts opened on or after December 8, 2007.

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Account

9% per annum, payable from the date of deposit to 31st March/30th June/30th Sept & 31st December in the first instance & thereafter, interest shall be payable on 31st March, 30th June, 30th Sept and 31st December.

There shall be only one deposit in the account in multiple of `1000/- maximum not exceeding rupees fifteen lakh.

• An individual of the Age of 60 years or more may open the account.

• An individual of the age of 55 years or more but less than 60 years who has retired on superannuation or under VRS can also open account subject to the condition that the account is opened within one month of receipt of retirement benefits and amount should not exceed the amount of retirement benefits.

• Maturity period is 5 years.

• A depositor may operate more than one account in individual capacity or jointly with spouse (husband/wife).

• Account can be opened by cash for the amount below `1 lakh and for `1 Lakh and above by cheque only.

• In case of cheque, the date of realization of cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account.

• Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts.

• Joint account can be opened with spouse only and first depositor in Joint account is the investor.

• Interest can be drawn through auto credit into savings account standing at same post office, through PDCs or Money Order.

• Premature closure is allowed after one year on deduction of 1.5% interest & after 2 years 1% interest (Discount means deduction from the deposit.).

• After maturity, the account can be extended for further three years within one year of the maturity by giving application in prescribed format. In such cases, account can be closed at any time after expiry of one year of extension without any deduction.

• TDS is deducted at source on interest if the interest amount is more than `10,000/- p.a.

• Investment under this scheme qualify for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 from April 1, 2007.

15 year Public Provident Fund Account

8% per annum (compounded yearly).

Minimum `500/- Maximum, `70,000/- in a financial year, Deposits can be made in lumpsum or in 12 installments.

• An individual can open account with `5/- but has to deposit minimum of `500/- and maximum `70,000/- in a financial year.

• Joint account cannot be opened.

• Account can be opened by cash/cheque and In case of cheque, the date of realization of cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.

• Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account. Account can be transferred from one post office to another.

• The subscriber can open another account in the name of minors but subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts.

• Maturity period is 15 years but the same can be extended within one year of maturity for further 5 years and so on.

• Maturity value can be retained without extension and without further deposits also.

• Premature closure is not allowed before 15 years.

• Deposits qualify for deduction from income under Sec. 80C of IT Act.

• Interest is completely tax-free.

• Withdrawal is permissible every year from 7th financial year.

• Loan facility available from 3rd Financial year.

• No attachment under court decree order.

KisanVikas Patra

Money doubles in 8 years & 7 months. Facility for premature encashment, Rate of interest 8.4% (compounded yearly), No limit on investment, Available in denominations of `100/-, `500/-, `1000/-, `5000/-, `10,000/-, in all Post Offices and `50,000/- in all Head Post Offices.

• A single holder type certificate may be issued to an adult for himself or on behalf of a minor or to a minor. It can also be purchased jointly by two adults.

• There is no Tax rebate on investment in KVP.

National Savings Certificate (VIII issue)

8% Interest compounded six monthly but payable at maturity. `100/- grows to `160.10 after 6 years, Minimum `100/-, No maximum limit available in denominations of `100/-, `500/-, `1000/-, `5000/- and `10,000/-.

• A single holder type certificate can be purchased by an adult for himself or on behalf of a minor or to a minor.

• Deposits quality for tax rebate under Sec. 80C of IT Act.

• The interest accruing annually but deemed to be reinvested will also qualify for deduction under Section 80C of IT Act.

होली की ढेर सारी शुभकामनाएं...

आप सभी को होली की ढेर सारी शुभकामनाएं... होली का त्यौहार आपके जीवन में सुख, समृद्धि और सभी संसाधन लेकर आए... :) 

-- धर्मेंद्र कुमार

Top 10 Tips For ‘Greening’ Your Home

पर्यावरणविद्, टीवी प्रस्तोता और लेखक जेम्स और डिक स्ट्रॉब्रिज ‘ग्रीन होम’ विकसित करने के लिए लंबे समय से काम करते रहे हैं। इसके लिए वे पूर्व में ‘Practical Self Sufficiency– The Complete Guide to Sustainable Living’ किताब भी लिख चुके हैं। यहां उनके द्वारा कुछ छोटे-छोटे उपाय सुझाए जा रहे हैं जिनसे हम और आप अपने घर को एक ग्रीन होम में परिवर्तित कर सकते हैं...

--धर्मेंद्र कुमार

1. Energy efficient windows: Heating bills can cost a fortune and fuel prices are only going to increase. One very effective way to reduce your bills and make your house worth more is to replace your old windows with more efficient rated windows. Start by replacing ones in rooms that you use the most and also make sure that you’ve done the basics first. Simple ways to prevent heat being wasted through old draughty windows is to put up thick curtains and remember to close them in the evening. Another tip is to place a radiator reflector behind your radiators. Radiators always seem to be located below a window and as we all know heat rises. To reduce this simply cut a piece of cardboard and line it with tinfoil. Hang this on the wall behind your radiator to push the heat out into the room instead of allowing it to escape up and out the window.

2. Insulate your Loft: Insulation is another way to reduce the amount of heat escaping from your home. I’d recommend doing it yourself to save money but make sure that you instal at least 270mm thickness. There are lots of different sorts of insulation out there, but the bottom-line is any insulation is good insulation. The embodied energy in rockwool for example will still cancel itself out with energy savings in the first year! Sheep’s wool is a great option because it is a waste product that is being reused and ‘composite’ insulation (the thin stuff that looks like a space blanket) is a great high performance material for small spaces. Key tips when laying insulation are to make sure that you are wearing safety goggles, gloves and overalls. Plus, don’t forget to cover the loft hatch as well, otherwise you will be creating a chimney for all of the heat to escape through!

3. Energy Monitors: Working out how much electricity you currently use in your house is the best way to start reducing it. The best gadget out there is an energy monitor that displays how many KW/hrs (Kilo Watt Hours - that’s the unit your electricity bills are measured in) you use at any moment, how much CO2 you are producing, and how much money you are spending. These devices are now wireless and are easy to install yourself. By knowing how much electricity you use each day you can start switching off appliances more often.

4. Green Electricity Tariff: One of the easiest changes to make in your home or business is to switch to a green electricity tariff. Go online and with the mighty power of your mouse you can seriously reduce your ecological footprint. I’d recommend signing up with either Ecotricity or Good Energy because they both offer competitive prices and supply energy from renewable sources such as wind turbines.

5. Solar PV: The most hi-tech of green technologies has to be solar power! If you are thinking of generating your own electricity then invest in a Solar PV system (also known as photovoltaics). This technology has improved dramatically recently so the panels are now more efficient than ever. In addition, it’s a good time to put them up as the government’s feed-in tariff is still available, which means you can be paid more for the electricity you generate than you buy it in for. As a result the ‘payback’ times have almost halved. Solar panels may require planning permission so check with your local council or solar installer. On listed buildings and conservation zones permission is harder to achieve but there’s always the option of putting them on a lean-to or even a garden shed. Solar PV tends to be a big financial investment but compared to a new car or a bathroom renovation there’s no competition. I like to think of it in terms of ‘future-proofing’ and improving the value of a building. Which house would you choose if you had a choice- one with solar panels on the roof and hardly any bills to pay for the next 25 years- or one with an trendy bathroom suite?

6. Hippos: If your water usage is metered then you can cut usage in minutes every time you flush the loo by making a ‘Hippo’. Simply take a small plastic water bottle and cut the top off. Lift the lid of your cistern, flush the loo and place the cup-shaped bottle into the empty cistern so that it sits on the bottom. Put a small stone in it to keep it upright and replace the lid of the cistern. When the new system fills up it will use less water and you’ll be saving money!

7. Get Organised: Recycling is something that we have all grown used to and now the decision to divide our waste is second nature. However, it is really worth making sure that it doesn’t become a chore. I think that it’s worth buying or making your own recycling bin system that has different sections for different sorts of waste. No-one likes having piles of rubbish near the back door and by organising it, it stops being a problem.

8. Wormery: Composting is another eco-activity that is very popular. However, I’ve spoken to hundreds of people who still have an unsightly heap at the bottom of the garden. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with this way of composting but it can be difficult to turn and hard work to maintain. Also, normal compost heaps can take up lots of precious space. The alternative way to compost your uncooked kitchen scraps is to get a wormery. They are compact, don’t smell, and can even be used as a planter for herbs and vegetables. The idea is to provide worms with a great environment to eat all your fruit and veg peelings, tea bags, egg cartons, dust from the vacuum-cleaner, and pretty much anything that hasn’t been cooked. They have also been designed to take up a fraction of the space.

9. Chickens: If you have a decent sized garden then you’ve got to get a couple of hens. Your own free-range eggs are so much tastier than factory farmed ones. Plus, you can save a battery hen from a life where it spends all its time in a space the size of a piece of A4 paper. When you buy a rescue hen they will still be in a fairly poor condition but after a couple of weeks you’ll be getting fresh eggs and they will look healthier and discover their instincts.

10. Build a cold frame: The problem with growing your own produce is the weather. Our winter’s are cold and our summers can be wet. One of the best ways I have found to grow herbs outside, whatever the weather, is under a cold frame. Build a rectangular wooden frame that stands a foot high and make the back edge higher than the front. Place an old window and hinge it so that it lifts up at the front for easy access. A cold frame like this reuses old materials and lets you extend your growing season considerably!

कुछ यूं मना अंतरराष्ट्रीय महिला दिवस

पंडित नेहरू ने कहा था कि आप किसी देश की महिलाओं की स्थिति को देखकर उस राष्ट्र की परिस्थितियों का अनुमान लगा सकते हैं। अंतरराष्ट्रीय महिला दिवस मना लेने के बाद आप जरा इन खबरों पर एक नजर डाल लीजिए। ये इसी दिन की घटित हुई घटनाएं हैं...
 
* उपनगरीय इलाके मलाड में एक महिला ने अपने दो बच्चों के साथ एक इमारत की 18वीं मंजिल से कूद कर आत्महत्या कर ली।

* दक्षिणी दिल्ली में अज्ञात लोगों ने 22 वर्षीय एक छात्रा की उसके कॉलेज के पास गोली मारकर हत्या कर दी।

* झुंझुनूं जिले के बग्गड थाना क्षेत्र में एक महिला ने अपने दो बच्चों को जहरीला पदार्थ खिलाकर स्वयं ने भी आत्महत्या कर ली।

* धौलपुर जिले के गिरोली थाना क्षेत्र में एक बाराती ने मासूम बच्ची के साथ दुष्कर्म किया।

* पूर्वी दिल्ली के विवेक विहार इलाके में वकील रेबेका मेमन जॉन की माता अन्ना मेमन की उनके घर में हत्या कर दी।

दिन के आखिरी घंटे में जब मैं खबरें बनाने का काम खत्म कर रहा था तो यह देखकर सन्न रह गया कि पूरे दिन में महिलाओं के साथ हमारे देश में ये वारदातें हुईं। वारदातें और भी हुई होंगी, जिनकी कोई खबर नहीं आई, शायद दूर-दराज के इलाकों में... आखिर क्या फायदा रहा दिनभर 'चौंचलेबाजी' करने का... क्या कोई हल हम लोगों के पास है...?

11 साल लंबा यह मुश्किल रास्ता...

11 साल गुजर गए... आज मैं याद कर रहा हूं सात-आठ मार्च 2000 की वो शाम... उस वक्त मेरे दिमाग में कहीं भी यह नहीं था कि मेरे अगले 11 साल बहुत लंबे बीतने वाले हैं। इन 11 साल में वह सब कुछ होगा जिसके बारे में मैंने कल्पना भी नहीं की है।

अपनी शादी का कार्ड, अपनी शादी की तैयारी, अपनी बारात, बारात के रश्मि के घर पहुंचने के बाद जबर्दस्त स्वागत, शानदार डिनर, बुलाए गए लगभग सभी मेहमान... सबकुछ एक सपने जैसा...

बीते 11 सालों में मेरी जिंदगी में कई बेहतरीन चीजें हुईं... आज के दिन रश्मि हमारे घर में आई, मैंने पत्रकारिता को करियर के रूप में अपनाया, उरु हमारी जिंदगी में आई और आगरा में पत्रकारिता के शुरुआती दिनों के संघर्ष का स्वाद, जो अब बहुत शानदार लगता है...

नवभारत टाइम्स में मौका मिलने के बाद दिल्ली आगमन और साल 2006 में अपना नया घर... यहां तक सब बिल्कुल ठीक चल रहा था और ऐसा लग रहा था कि जिंदगी कितनी तेजी से कटती चली जाती है।

साल 2007 के शुरू होते-होते अपने नए घर को सजाने को दौर शुरू हुआ... हम दोनों पति-पत्नी या यह कहिए कि तीनों, उरु भी, ने पिछले छह साल के दौरान जो इच्छाएं दबाए रखी थीं... उन्हें आकार देना शुरू किया। रोहिणी और रुक्मणि हमारे जीवन में आने वाली थीं...

26 जून 2007 को प्रसव पीड़ा शुरू होने के बाद, मैने रश्मि को अस्पताल में भर्ती किया और ऑपरेशन थिएटर के बाहर अपने भांजे रजत के साथ बेसब्री के साथ रोहिणी और रुक्मणि का इंतजार करने लगा। करीब आधे घंटे बाद एक-एक कर रोहिणी और रुक्मणि थिएटर से बाहर आईं... और मेरे होठों पर अपनी अभी तक की जिंदगी की आखिरी मुस्कान आई...।

तब मुझे नहीं मालूम था कि अब मैं हंसना भूलने वाला हूं... मुझे ऑपरेशन थिएटर के अंदर से अफरा-तफरी की सी आवाजें आने लगीं... रश्मि की तबियत खराब होने लगी थी...।

थोड़ी देर बाद दो डॉक्टर बाहर आए और मुझे बताया कि रश्मि की तबियत बिगड़ रही है, उसे पोस्ट पैटम हैमरेज (पीपीएच) हुआ है और बड़े अस्पताल में शिफ्ट करना होगा।

उसके बाद अब मुझे सिर्फ यह याद है कि मैं सिर्फ रो रहा था... और मेरे परिजन आगे की कार्रवाइयों में जुट गए।

फोर्टिस अस्पताल में भर्ती करने के बाद 23 घंटे रश्मि ने संघर्ष किया और सुबह सात बजे डॉक्टरों ने हाथ खड़े कर दिए...

इस दिन, मेरी कई धारणाएं बदल गईं... मेरा व्यक्तित्व बदल गया... कई चीजों को देखने का नजरिया बदल गया...

अभी, रश्मि को साथ छोड़े तीन साल से ज्यादा हो गए हैं। इन तीन सालों को गुजारने में मुझे बहुत वक्त लगा है। अब मैं सोचता हूं कि जीवन कितना लंबा होता है... और आपको उसे जीना ही होता है... कभी अपने लिए, कभी अपने से किसी भी तरह जुड़े दूसरे लोगों के लिए...

Toll Free Numbers In India

नई दिल्ली के नजफगढ़ से अजय सिंह ने कई बड़े संस्थानों के टॉल फ्री टेलीफोन नंबरों की ये सूची भेजी है। मैंने कुछ नंबर चेक किए हैं, नंबर लग रहे हैं... हालांकि कुछ नंबर नहीं भी लगे। रेडी रेकनर की तरह यह सूची आप अपनी काम करने की मेज पर लगा सकते हैं... :)

--धर्मेंद्र कुमार

Airlines

Indian Airlines - 1800 180 1407
Jet Airways - 1800 22 5522
SpiceJet - 1800 180 3333
Air India -- 1800 22 7722
KingFisher - 1800 180 0101

Banks

ABN AMRO - 1800 11 2224
Canara Bank - 1800 44 6000
Citibank - 1800 44 2265
Corporatin Bank - 1800 443 555
Development Credit Bank - 1800 22 5769
HDFC Bank - 1800 227 227
ICICI Bank - 1800 333 499
ICICI Bank NRI - 1800 22 4848
IDBI Bank - 1800 11 6999
Indian Bank - 1800 425 1400
ING Vysya - 1800 44 9900
Kotak Mahindra Bank - 1800 22 6022
Lord Krishna Bank - 1800 11 2300
Punjab National Bank - 1800 122 222
State Bank of India - 1800 44 1955
Syndicate Bank - 1800 44 6655

Automobiles

Mahindra Scorpio - 1800 22 6006
Maruti - 1800 111 515
Tata Motors - 1800 22 5552
Windshield Experts - 1800 11 3636

Computers/IT

Adrenalin - 1800 444 445
AMD - 1800 425 6664
Apple Computers - 1800 444 683
Canon - 1800 333 366
Cisco Systems - 1800 221 777
Compaq - HP - 1800 444 999
Data One Broadband - 1800 424 1800
Dell - 1800 444 026
Epson - 1800 44 0011
eSys - 3970 0011
Genesis Tally Academy - 1800 444 888
HCL - 1800 180 8080
IBM - 1800 443 333
Lexmark - 1800 22 4477
Marshal's Point - 1800 33 4488
Microsoft - 1800 111 100
Microsoft Virus Update - 1901 333 334
Seagate - 1800 180 1104
Symantec - 1800 44 5533
TVS Electronics - 1800 444 566
WeP Peripherals - 1800 44 6446
Wipro - 1800 333 312
Xerox - 1800 180 1225
Zenith - 1800 222 004

Indian Railway

General Enquiry 131
Central Enquiry 131
Reservation 131
Reservation Enquiry 1345,1335,1330
Centralised Railway Enquiry 1330/1/2/3/4/ 5/6/7/8/9

Couriers/Packers & Movers

ABT Courier - 1800 44 8585
AFL Wizz - 1800 22 9696
Agarwal Packers & Movers - 1800 11 4321
Associated Packers P Ltd - 1800 21 4560
DHL - 1800 111 345
FedEx - 1800 22 6161
Goel Packers & Movers - 1800 11 3456
UPS - 1800 22 7171

Home Appliances

Aiwa/Sony - 1800 11 1188
Anchor Switches - 1800 22 7979
Blue Star - 1800 22 2200
Bose Audio - 1800 11 2673
Bru Coffee Vending Machines - 1800 44 7171
Daikin Air Conditioners - 1800 444 222
DishTV - 1800 12 3474
Faber Chimneys - 1800 21 4595
Godrej - 1800 22 5511
Grundfos Pumps - 1800 33 4555
LG - 1901 180 9999
Philips - 1800 22 4422
Samsung - 1800 113 444
Sanyo - 1800 11 0101
Voltas - 1800 33 4546
WorldSpace Satellite Radio - 1800 44 5432

Investments/ Finance

CAMS - 1800 44 2267
Chola Mutual Fund - 1800 22 2300
Easy IPO's - 3030 5757
Fidelity Investments - 1800 180 8000
Franklin Templeton Fund - 1800 425 4255
J M Morgan Stanley - 1800 22 0004
Kotak Mutual Fund - 1800 222 626
LIC Housing Finance - 1800 44 0005
SBI Mutual Fund - 1800 22 3040
Sharekhan - 1800 22 7500
Tata Mutual Fund - 1800 22 0101

Travel

Club Mahindra Holidays - 1800 33 4539
Cox & Kings - 1800 22 1235
God TV Tours - 1800 442 777
Kerala Tourism - 1800 444 747
Kumarakom Lake Resort - 1800 44 5030
Raj Travels & Tours - 1800 22 9900
Sita Tours - 1800 111 911
SOTC Tours - 1800 22 3344

Healthcare

Best on Health - 1800 11 8899
Dr. Batras - 1800 11 6767
GlaxoSmithKline - 1800 22 8797
Johnson & Johnson - 1800 22 8111
Kaya Skin Clinic - 1800 22 5292
LifeCell - 1800 44 5323
Manmar Technologies - 1800 33 4420
Pfizer - 1800 442 442
Roche Accu-Chek - 1800 11 45 46
Rudraksha - 1800 21 4708
Varilux Lenses - 1800 44 8383
VLCC - 1800 33 1262

Insurance

AMP Sanmar - 1800 44 2200
Aviva - 1800 33 2244
Bajaj Allianz - 1800 22 5858
Chola MS General Insurance - 1800 44 5544
HDFC Standard Life - 1800 227 227
LIC - 1800 33 4433
Max New York Life - 1800 33 5577
Royal Sundaram - 1800 33 8899
SBI Life Insurance - 1800 22 9090

Hotel Reservations

GRT Grand - 1800 44 5500
InterContinental Hotels Group - 1800 111 000
Marriott - 1800 22 0044
Sarovar Park Plaza - 1800 111 222
Taj Holidays - 1800 111 825

Teleshopping

Asian Sky Shop - 1800 22 1800
Jaipan Teleshoppe - 1800 11 5225
Tele Brands - 1800 11 8000
VMI Teleshopping - 1800 447 777
WWS Teleshopping - 1800 220 777

Pizza Delivery 

Domino's Pizza - 1800 111 123

Cell Phones

BenQ - 1800 22 08 08
Bird CellPhones - 1800 11 7700
Motorola MotoAssist - 1800 11 1211
Nokia - 3030 3838
Sony Ericsson - 3901 1111

Initial Brief On Budget Proposals- 2011

अगले साल के लिए वित्त मंत्री ने संसद में बजट पेश कर दिया। उम्मीदों के साथ इंतजार कर रहे कुछ लोग खुश हुए तो कुछ को निराशा हाथ लगी।

नई दिल्ली से चार्टर्ड एकाउंटेंट संदीप गोयल ने इस बजट का सारांश भेजा है। इससे बजट को अपने परिप्रेक्ष्य में समझने में आसानी रहेगी। इसे उपलब्ध कराने के लिए एनडीटीवीखबर.कॉम के संपादक विवेक रस्तोगी का हृदय से आभार...:)

---धर्मेंद्र कुमार

Initial Brief On Budget Proposals- 2011

Direct Taxes

• Exemption limit for the general category of individual taxpayers enhanced from `1,60,000 to `1,80,000 giving uniform tax relief of `2,000.

• There is no upliftment of Slab for women. It is `1,90,000/- only.

• Exemption limit enhanced to `2.50 lacs and qualifying age reduced for senior citizens to 60 yrs.

• Higher exemption limit for Very Senior Citizens, who are 80 years or above, is of `5.00 lacs.

• Section 80 CCF– Additional deduction of `20,000 for investment in long-term infrastructure bond proposed to be extended for one more year.

• Cess will be 3%. There is no change on that.

• Current surcharge of 7.5% on domestic companies proposed to be reduced to 5%.

• Rate of Minimum Alternative Tax proposed to be increased from 18% to 18.5% of book profits.

• Additional deduction of `20,000 for investment in long-term infrastructure bonds proposed to be extended for one more year.

• Investment linked deduction to businesses developing affordable housing.

Misc.

• In section 115-0, the benefit of DDT exemption to SEZ developer & SEZ units has been omitted. Now they have to pay DDT on their declared dividends.

• Special Provisions relating to certain limited Liability Partnership were added in Chapter XII – BA, the details of the same will be provided in due course.

The main impact is that it is being subject to MAT. Now there is no benefit in creating LLP.

• In section 115 – JB, Now SEZ developer & Units are no more exempted. They have to pay MAT now.

• The benefit of Section 80- IA has been extended for one more year. Please note that same will not be applicable once DTC is going to be effective.

Indirect Taxes

• To stay on course for transition to GST.

• Central Excise Duty to be maintained at standard rate of 10%.

• Reduction in number of exemptions in Central Excise rate structure.

• Nominal Central Excise Duty of 1% imposed on 130 items entering in the tax net.

• Lower rate of Central Excise Duty enhanced from 4% to 5%.

• Peak rate of Custom Duty held at its current level.

Service Tax

• Standard rate of Service Tax retained at 10%, while seeking a closer fit between present regime and its GST successor.

• Hotel accommodation in excess of `1,000 per day and service provided by air conditioned restaurants that have license to serve liquor added as new services for levying Service Tax.

• Tax on all services provided by hospitals with 25 or more beds with facility of central air conditioning.

• Service Tax on air travel both domestic and international raised.

• Services provided by life insurance companies in the area of investment and some more legal services proposed to be brought into tax net.

• All individual and sole proprietor tax payers with a turn over upto `60 lakh freed from the formalities of audit.

• To encourage voluntary compliance the penal provision for Service Tax are being rationalized. Similar changes being carried out in Central Excise and Custom laws.

Rates of Income Tax:

In the case of every–

- Individual or Hindu undivided family or every association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act--

Upto `1,80,000-- Nil.

`1,80,001 to `5,00,000—10%.

`5,00,001 to `8,00,000—20%.

Above `8,00,000—30%.

- Individual, being a woman resident in India, and below the age of sixty years

Upto `1,90,000-- Nil.

`1,90,001 to `5,00,000—10%.

`5,00,001 to `8,00,000—20%.

Above `8,00,000—30%

- Senior citizen individual above 60 years of age but below than 80 years

Upto `2,50,000-- Nil.

`2,50,001 to `5,00,000—10%.

`5,00,001 to `8,00,000—20%.

Above `8,00,000—30%.

- Senior citizen individual above 80 years of age

Upto `5,00,000-- Nil.

`50,00,001 to `8,00,000—20%.

Above `8,00,000—30%.

No surcharge will be levied in the above cases

Tax Reforms

• Direct Taxes Code (DTC) to be finalized for enactment during 2011-12. DTC proposed to be effective from April 1, 2012.

• Areas of divergence with States on proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) have been narrowed. As a step towards roll out of GST, Constitution Amendment Bill proposed to be introduced in this session of Parliament.

Exports

• Self assessment to be introduced in Customs to modernize the Customs administration.

• Proposal to introduce scheme for refund of taxes paid on services used for export of goods.

IT Initiatives

• Bill to amend the Indian Stamp Act proposed to be introduced shortly.

• A new scheme with an outlay of Rs. 300 crore to be launched to provide assistance to States to modernise their stamp and registration administration and roll out e-stamping in all the districts in the next three years.

• A new simplified form ‘Sugam’ to be introduced to reduce the compliance burden of small tax payers falling within presumptive taxation.