Archive for Taxation

admin | October 7, 2024
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ARTIFICIALITY IN EXCHANGE RATES

The foreign exchange rates have always puzzled me.

A few questions remain inadequately answered.

For instance, on independence, one rupee was equal to one dollar and was quite near to being equal to one pound. Isn’t it surprising that despite being a very poor nation we had a very favorable exchange rate. It meant that it made imports more attractive.

But we could not sustain the same conversion rate. Rupee got drastically hammered and soon enough even before the fifties we saw the exchange rate moving against Rupee.
In the international market, during those days we followed a fixed exchange rate. Our imports continued to rise and the exports could not match up, leading to huge trade deficits.

The pressure to devaluate Rupee went on increasing because, the demand for Dollars was very high as against the demand for Rupee. This led to a series of devaluation until the nineties when Rupee was priced at Rs.32 against the Dollar.

It was in late nineties, that a decision was taken to make Rupee partly convertible. For revenue transactions it was freely convertible except some restrictions. And for capital transactions stricter restrictions were placed.

Today, the exchange rates are staggering at Rs.82+ against a dollar and 100+ against a pound.

If we look at the purchase power parity the exchange rate would be somewhere near Rs.25+ against a dollar and Rs.30+ against a pound.

Does it mean that after independence India has performed so badly as compared to USA and UK? Answer is obviously No.

There are a few reasons which I have in mind for the drop in the exchange rate:

1. The exports of some scarce materials at very low price which were taking place prior to independence seem to have been reduced or stopped.

2. To catch up technologically and to meet bare essential needs, we have allowed more imports.

3. The strong currencies have created huge demand for their currencies through soft paddling and allowing the tax havens to grow and prosper. We are aware that most of these tax havens provide almost zero tax, nearly complete secrecy about the monitory transactions and they are fully blessed and under the control of USA and UK. The large transactions of illegal trade and corruption tainted money are routed through these tax heavens, creating a spike in the demand for dollars and pounds as compared to most of the other currencies including naturally rupee.

I think the third reason plays the most important role in pushing down the value of rupee in international trade. Surprisingly, almost all trading companies prefer to trade in the “popular” currencies, which further accelerate the downward pressure. Making any other currency “popular” without resorting to unfair means as explained above seems to be an almost impossible task. The developing countries will have to live with these artificially padded exchange rates God knows for how long.

What say you?

Category: Finances, Political, Taxation |
admin | April 29, 2024
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SOME SUGGESTIONS IN THE ACTUAL INTEREST OF THE MSME SECTOR

Slogans like “ MSMEs are the backbones of our economy” and many such slogans praising and highlighting the importance of the role that MSMEs  in the economic development are well known to all of us particularly because we have been hearing that almost since several decades.

Though I admit that beside dishing out slogans, a lot of efforts have been placed by the Government and the Banks to encourage and help the MSME sector so as to enable them to successfully survive in the fiercely competitive world and withstand the competition from the larger units despite facing funds and infrastructural challenges.

The government has also enacted MSME Act so as to provide a strong legal entitlements and reliefs. Various amendments and additions have been made in the Income Tax and Companies Act with the intention of easing and ensuring some comforts to the MSME sector.

But still, a lot more needs to be done .There is a huge distance between the cup and the Lips.

Some of the glaring issues that remain unresolved so far are highlighted below;

  1. 1. FINANCIAL SUPPORT :

As far as providing easier finances are concerned, it has been consistently observed that the bankers, who by themselves are in highly competitive environments, find it less attractive to finance an MSME unit as compared to the larger units. They rightly feel that efforts involved in financing and monitoring an MSME unit are much more than the margins that they earn as against financing a larger unit. Despite constant instructions etc from RBI and Government, it has remained a challenge to motivate larger banks to finance MSME sector, particularly the Small and Micro units.

One possible solution is to encourage specialized Banks or Cooperative Banks who cater only to this sector. I saw a good hope in channelizing the Cooperative Banks towards financing the Micro and Small scale sector. Unfortunately, after successfully gaining experience in the banking business even cooperative banks also turn their attention towards the larger units.

The NBFCs too are trying to fill up this gap but it has been noticed that they take advantage of the vulnerability of the borrower and extract higher interest and levy additional fees etc.

In short, as far as financing of significant amount is concerned, the MSME sector remains sidelined in reality. They have to resort to extremely exploitative and costly sources of finance   when it comes to substantial and critical need.

There is ,no doubt that there are numerous schemes offred by Banks and Governments. But each bank and diffrerent Governments have their varied schemes and it is a time consuming and complex situation even to know how many schemes exist and which scheme is good for an MSME unit .

What pains the most is that such is a situation when there is a constant tomtoming about encouraging and supporting the MSME sector.

Somehow one sees a situation where one is reminded of the story of a crow who was thirsty and was offered water in a jug where the water was in the lower half of the jug and his beak could not reach.

  1. LEGAL SUPPORT :

The government with a good intention has constantly been trying to introduce / amend the existing Acts so as to make them “MSME friendly”. But as the proverb goes, “help from an ill informed person is more harmful than the harm from a well informed person.”

Let me tell you how this is true. Section-16 of the MSME Act presents a draconian help and i.e. that if any payment to an MSME unit is delayed beyond 45 days then the MSME unit is empowered and enabled to collect interest at the rate which is three times more than the bank rate with a monthly rest. Converting this into simple equation   it amounts to more than 24% per annum rate of interest ( three times a bankrate ) and since it is on a monthly rest it would amount to nearly effective 27% per annum with annual rest.

At the same time the Income Tax Act,1961 {Section 43B(h)} is now amended to ensure that expenses incurred by paying to, MSME would be allowed as an expense only when they are actually paid.

As if this is not enough the Companies Act is also amended to ensure that any over due to MSME and the purchases from MSME are clearly and separately reported in a company’s annual account.

The above appears to be favorable steps. But the reality is exactly the opposite. The large units are now trying to avoid doing any business with MSME units because of the rigid legal approach and consequences. They feel that they are inviting potential heavy liability and exploitation from the MSME sector. This is likely to effect the business potential of the MSME sector.

  1. 3. General :

If one tries to collect an exhaustive list of the benefits and preferences which are offered to MSME sector by Central Government, State Government, Local Bodies, Banks and Financial Institutions one will find that one is lost in a jungle. This reminds me again of a proverb which says that, “Unscheduled, erratic and excessive rain is more harmful than a drought.”

 

One will find varying definitions of M(Micro).S(Small and).M(Medium).E( Enterprise)  not only that the definitions in reality varies from bank to bank, from state to state, from scheme to scheme and they themselves are again subjected to frequent amendments.

 

One of the standard practice of denying an entitlement is to make the preconditions so difficult that the claimant either gives up his claim or is denied the help  and only the lucky few MSME units land up getting the intended help.

The Exit Decision

Besides what is stated above, one thing that strikes while thinking about MSME sector is their reliance and endurance capacity . Somehow, this is noticed in case of many Non MSME units also . An entrepreneur is a good entrepreneur not only when he sets up or runs his enterprise well and successfully . To my mind, he is equally good entrepreneur when he decides to quit at the right time and right way.Many a times emotional and Ego issues prevent many entrepreneurs from quitting at the right time .

At the same time we have to also look at the issue that does our existing legal and banking framework makes the task of quitting easy?

The answer is an emphatic No The current labour laws are so much in favour of labourer s that  the cost of closing a unit and the formalities attached thereto will discourage many entrepreneurs from closing the units which are unviable . This  leads to distressed sales and unfavourable mergers  . The bankers also tend to pressurize regularization of accounts for a long period in order to keep their balance sheets and performance stable

 

The Way Ahead

 

A basic question is, does any sector need a lot of support to be successful , profitable and sustainable ? In an open market economy, a sector will survive against many odds if the basic profitability and strength is present in its business model. All that is required is to allow a peaceful, disturbance and obstacle free atmosphere for them to operate. Whether the unit is MSME or not, it does not matter. All units deserve and need obstacle free , peaceful and disturbance free environment to operate. I feel what we have achieved in case of MSMEs is a “ concentrated bundle of confusion” as far as incentives and supports are concerned. Let’s have a look at our own experience in the past . Look at the rapid development of the Information technology sector which took place during the ninetees and thereon  and carefully note that the unparalled growth of the sector took place during the period when the Government machinery was blissfully in the dark as far as nitty gritty of the sector was concerned . There were no Special Packages offered to them . The market forces and the entrepreneurial attitude of our businessmen drove the momentum .

In other words, encourage all the sectors and please don’t try to give special treatment in a complicated, half hearted manner

All that is needed to foster the growth of MSME sector is a decent , easy and fair atmosphere for all sectors which helps to set up , survive and also provides ease in closing down the operation if it is so required.

In brief, keep the environment of doing business cooperative , predictable,transparent and simple . without any exra special pumping.

 

Category: Finances, General, Taxation |
admin | January 1, 2020
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Suggestions Towards Steps To Revive Indian Economy

SOME SUGGESTIONS TOWARDS GIVING A KICK START and TO BOOST India’s ECONOMIC GROWTH

By……. Mr. Amal Dhru (FCA,MBA(IIMA) , amaldhruv@amaldatt.com (M) 9825015534

1.. The Union BUDGET

a…. It is round the corner. Many suggestions are already made towards reduction in Personal as well as Corporate Income Tax. However it has to be noted that Tax to GDP Ratio in our economy is very low .
So we have to look at corporate rates separately. As far as lowering the Income Tax on Corporate are concerned, lower taxation rate will certainly attract not only Indian but also international investments. A recent clamp down on Tax Heavens by many countries including developed countries have directed the funds towards countries with lower tax rate, since relaxed (nearly nonexistent) compliance based locations will be scarce and very vulnerable .It is an opportunity for India to tab these openings particularly when there is an increasing realization about difficulties in the exit route for investments from China.
On the other hand, the highest income Group needs to be taxed heavily, as it is . They can be given a relief if they invest in Infrastructure Bonds of large ticket size
Similarly one sector of economy vis. Agriculture Income is not taxed at all. It would be worth considering to expand the net of Corporate Farming and bring the corporate farming along with large farmers (by deeming them as corporate farmers) into the Income Tax net. This aspect, though touches the Constitutional provisions narrowly, but is critical enough to be thought of seriously, since the need to mobilize Revenue is alarming

b… The recent thoughts of doing away (reducing, at least) the exemptions is a positive thought. The exemptions lead more towards litigation and mere paper compliances. Though there is a need to give special incentives for employment generation. Most of the exemptions are based upon capital investments in desired sectors etc . India is a country where Labour is ample and capital is scarce. We need to generate more employment. Employment generation should be focused while providing incentives. May be, that an incentive based upon the Employer PF Contribution (say a weighted deduction on employer contribution to PF, like R & D ).

c… Surprisingly, what the economy wants is employment generation, but the labour laws play a huge role in providing disincentive (if not a fear ) towards providing employment . Not only that the Minimum Wage Structure is too high for an average employer, to reduce employee strength is a herculean task. A simple principal of economics is to create more attraction towards the product that a producer wants to sell. But what we see here in India is quite a reverse trend. Why not to create a layer where minimum wages are lower than the unskilled level, call that layer a support level. Please reduce the cost of employing a person, in other words. MSMEs and start ups can benefit immensely and more jobs will be created for otherwise unemployed youth.
Similarly, the employers should be allowed more flexibility to adapt a practice of reducing manpower, in case of genuine difficulties like adverse business conditions. Currently it is a tough task to reduce the manpower strength even in case of genuine necessity to reduce unproductive expenditure. Such an atmosphere creates a disincentive towards generating more employment.

d… Giving direct cash or free bees to poor people is a charitable, noble act, but I feel that the same should be given against some work. Providing free money to people will form a very dangerous trend and will keep increasing expectation and will encourage laziness. Greece etc economies tumbled due to excessive freebees!!
Why not to create more jobs, say towards internal security (in semi police force ) , or swachchata mission, or construction etc like MANREGA scheme) , instead ? Why not to include Agricultural employment under a special scheme which is similar to NAREGA?

e… Dwelling further on employment generating proposal, I am surprised that under the GST Act, Supply of Manpower attracts full 18% GST. That too is on the entire amount of billing, without any abatement of gross salary, which includes PF and ESI . In other words if Mr X pays Rs 100 as Salary ( including PF, ESI etc ) and adds Rs 10 towards his services, he will be called upon to pay GST of Rs 19.80 ! This certainly increases to ultimate cost of his services. This is a clear disincentive towards generating employment. I sincerely plead that an abatement of salary component has to be provided while taxing the Manpower Supply Services.

f… While on the GST, it is to be painfully noted that the instances of claiming wrong input credits are not only rampant but are also huge. This has to be curbed. The recent amendment by the council of restricting the input credit is a welcome step but not sufficient and effective. I would suggest that the input credit claimed has to be populated within 180 days from claiming. If not populated, it should not only be reversed, with interest but should also attract huge penalty in case it is established that the same was recklessly or fraudulently claimed.

g.. Coming to the Macro aspect of budgeting, I think the economists are overly obsessed with control over deficits . So long as the deficits are generating more output, employment and spending power in the hands of the masses and idle, uneconomic expenditures are curtailed to minimum; there is no need to panic if the deficit number is high. In any case, in economy like ours, where there are huge uncovered services (domestic services of housewives etc) , the GDP number is always likely to be understated, an additional reason not to panic with deficit .

h… What is stated above raises an important point towards controlling and managing the Expenditure side. Most of the thoughts from the economists and public particularly, in a budget are guided towards the revenue side . But the need to have control over expenditure by strictly following the OUTMOME BUDGETING (a lot is talked about it, without much headway) and setting and ensuring physical Targets should Not be lost sight of .

2… BANKING, MSME AND NPAs

a… A lot is also talked about the huge quantum and frankly a continuing inflows of NPAs in the banking sector . The economy is not doing so badly. The cause of such rise in NPAs should be investigated . I would also see a big role of improper sanctioning, lax documentation and careless monitoring the Bankers. The promoters are not the only culprits. I doubt whether adequate actions to book such instances except in a few cases where the quantum was embarrassingly large. In other words, smaller NPAs do add up to large numbers and they can be addressed quickly and effectively. More attention on this line may yield good results.

b… The recent Insolvency Code has really been a promising step in a right direction. It has opened up the vistas for a quick resolution of NPAs and ailing assets. What is now needed is a strong framework of TURN AROUND SPECIALISTS, who can quickly and effectively help in restarting productive activities. A separate, illustrative organization for the same can be initially set up in public sector

c… The sanctioning authority, the documentation machinery, the monitoring authority and the recovery authorities are concentrated , I believe within a bank itself .This is against the basics of Control Mechanism. A plan has to be implemented where more than one set of people/ agencies are involved in carrying out different functions of the total activity load of a loan or advance .

d… MSMEs and Start Ups play a crucial role in the economy like ours . They need timely and adequate financial support for their progress which can generate huge employment. Realizing this, there are various schemes that are already being implemented by State Governments, banks, Union Governments etc. This has created a flood of schemes, making it more and more difficult for the entrepreneurs to even get to know about existence of various programs, schemes, exemptions and support. I think a time has come to properly codify these schemes and make adequate awareness about the same.

e… As we understand the bankers are in tremendous pressure to reduce the NPAs and improve their profitability. The MSME and Start Up financing, for them is time consuming and does not show quick results. In fact same, if not more time is taken in financing an MSME than the larger advances .As a result, there are many paper schemes for these sectors, without pushing the schemes, they remain in dormant mode .I would suggest a separate Bank ( can be a subsidiary of a bank) can be set up for large advances alone, so that due focus is available on each separate entity .

f.. Monitoring of an advance or a loan is a crucial part of banking activity . This requires a pool of officers, who have an expertise in different industries, who can understand the nuances of the business of the borrower. The current system of placing Nominee Directors has not yielded the desired results. The Banking and Corporate Governance efforts of the Government badly needs a pool of qualified, experienced and reliable professionals who can act as effective Nominee or Independent Directors .

g. Our economy and our products have to remain competitive in the world market. But if we see the cost structure of our products, one finds that the indirect taxes and interest costs are nearly half of the total costs. Special care has to be taken to provide more waivers /exemptions for reducing the costs of export products for increasing exports and also for reducing the costs of essential items for the ultimate domestic consumers.

3… Other Areas :
a. Agriculture Sector offers a huge scope towards employment generation as well as in pushing the GDP. Corporate Farming needs to be encouraged by allotting at least the UN Cultivated Land blocks. Similarly Agriculture Co operatives and Producer Companies need very special encouragement and monitoring.
Distribution channels with inbuilt competition and margin controls are badly required to ensure that a reasonable portion of the market price is available to the farmers. Waiving of loans is a temporary, one time solution. It Can Not and should not be a Norm.
Agro Industries, with modern facilities should be improved along with better storage and transportation network .

b.. Corporate Sector no doubt is a backbone of our economy . The tightening compliance requirements and computerization has added to the cost of compliance, not only to the corporate sector but also on the entire business sector. Lapses, of course should be punished, but providing a power of taking criminal action to the law enforcing authorities to come down heavily on non compliance should be used only sparingly. There are numerous instances where Non Operating and Independent Directors are dragged into Criminal Proceedings, even when they had No role to play in the wrong doings of the promoters or Non Payments of the dues or in bouncing of cheques . Such avoidable actions taken out of zealous and high handed bankers and Officers have created a fear psychology amongst the business community. There needs to be some screening mechanism, when criminal actions are initiated particularly against Non Operating or nominee or independent Directors. Criminal cases should be initiated only against the persons directly involved in the wrong doings. They should be initiated more as an exception under extreme violations rather than as a routine. In addition to creating a fear, it has made it more difficult to attract good talents to act as Independent or nominee or non operating directors, which goes against the very purpose of creating the cadre of Nominee and Independent Directors.

c.. Education Sector has, if said plainly, has let us down, barring of course the IIMs, IITs and some few more shining examples . The Research initiative has nearly vanished and some sparks of students have to cross the shore to seek opportunities.
What we need is a quality School Education and purposeful Education .The British rule has successfully implemented a system of education and curriculum which produces clerks and obedient mass, by restricting imagination and creativity. A sea change in moral based atmosphere needs to be built up through revamping the curriculum and method of teaching.

d.. On Health Care side AYUSH initiative needs greater push along with creating a cadre of skilled manpower who can work at village levels also to at least provide first aid type of Basic Healthcare and spread awareness about good public health . The initiative to popularize Generic Drugs has been showing a very slow progress. A sincere push is really required particularly since the Generic Drugs have to compete with large corporate when it comes to reaching the ultimate consumers

e.. At Judiciary Level , a relook at the procedural aspect of Law and Litigation needs a relook . This is a Must, if we want to reduce the pendency of litigation and transparent justice delivery system.
At the Administrative Level also a relook at the procedural aspect is necessary for efficient and effective implementation of various schemes and programs initiated by the Government.
A robust and Strong MIS system needs to be introduced along with Administrative reforms both in Judiciary and Administrative network, which has remained untouched, perhaps since the British Raj.

Prepared by … Mr Amal Dhru .
amaldhruv@gmail.com (m) 9825015534

Category: Finances, General, Taxation | Tags: , , ,
admin | January 6, 2018
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SHOULD YOU BE AN EMPLOYER ?

The recent news that even CAs, engineers, MBAs applied for a job of a peon.
This news set my mind on a thinking mode.

Why should one not be satisfied with a Small Time job and take up minimum responsibilities? Why should one always aspire to be an employer and not an employee?

Set your standards of living and earn enough to meet them. If your Ego and Needs are reasonable, finding a suitable employment is perhaps better than taking up the headache of running a 24*7 outfit, full of responsibilities and unsure success

I am sure this thought goes through the minds of many, particularly if the person is a Start Up or an MSME entrepreneur.

To understand the issue, one need to understand the basic assumptions that one makes .Many of them may not hold true and one MUST re affirm them.

1. All entrepreneurs do not Make Awful lot of profit .It is not necessary that you will always be successful as an entrepreneur in making the two ends meet.

2. If you default in meeting your obligations under any of the applicable laws ( it is a task to even finally know what all laws are applicable to you and your business ) , the law enforcing authorities are certainly not over sympathetic or generous towards any defaulters, not even towards start ups or MSME . Corrupt practices to overcome default are certainly not advisable nor are they economical and sustainable in the long run.

So please take up a good risk assessment and use the financefundas.com smartly before plunging.

I am sorry if someone finds this thought demotivating but one cannot and should not overlook realities.

Knowing this well, those who still plunge into “going on their own”, certainly should be sure of a good success in taming the known and unknown risk in satisfying their need of achievement, desired standard of living and fulfillment of their dreams .

I do compliment them and wish them luck.

Category: Finances, General, Political, Taxation, Uncategorized | Tags: ,
admin | January 12, 2017
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BLACK MONEY … ” CATCH ME IF YOU CAN “

At the onset of the recent Demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1.000 currency notes ( called SCNs ), it was expected that the entire lot of SCNs in the circulation will not be banked . The fake notes will be identified and naturally will not be able to enter the banking channel. Similarly , the SCNs held by black marketeers will also not be banked due to fear of being taxed and penalized. It was estimated that nearly Rs.4 Lakh crore worth of SCNs will not be deposited, which will represent the balck monies held backin the system. Now at the end of the deadline of 30th December 2016, it is estimated that only Rs.50,000 odd crore remain “un deposited “.
This is , by any imagination is a ridiculously low figure of Black Money that was in the system before demonetization. Even the GOI estimation was that nearly Rs 4 to Rs 5 Lakh Crores are held back in the system , representing Black Money.

In reality,as it is well known, the Black Money has actually been deposited in the bank accounts by adapting various dubious methods including opening dummy accounts,depositing benami SCNs etc methods so skillfully adapted!. It is therefore for the Income Tax Department now,to identify such deposits and catch the errant persons . This is a huge and painful task . The benami account holder ( a poor Jandhan account holders, in many cases ) and the Beneficial depositor, both will come under scrutiny . The number of such cases will be huge and it will be near impossibility for the IT department to reach out for all .

Similarly, many black money holders have re written their cash books, generated higher cash balances and deposited SCNs which were held illegally till than. Such cases are as large and wide spread . This by itself will be a memoth exercise to cover all such cases for the IT Department .

But the reality will be that the IT department is also not going to give up the chase so easily . I can quite see that there will be a huge increase in IT notices and almost all of them will result into lengthy litigation.

Again, it is equally important for the RBI to exactly reconcile the Monies ( SCNs ) deposited with the Banks , with the monies (SCNs) which were in circulation as per their records. RBI will have to be sure that Fake currencies have not been pushed into the banking system and will have to tally the genuine physical notes collected by the banks with the book figures that are being provided by the bankers . These reconciliations , reaching upto branch level is another herculean task , particularly when it is equally well known that several banks and bank officials have not been so praiseworthy. It will not be a huge surprise if initially it is noticed that more SCNs are deposited in the Books of Banks and RBI than the Actual numbers of SCNs in circulation . The Fake notes pushed in the system will have to be segregated and wrong book keeping will have to be corrected before closing this exercise .

I feel the stage is perfectly set for a Catch Me If You Can type of chase . It is shameful and painful , but unfortunately true .

Category: Finances, General, Political, Taxation, Uncategorized | Tags: , ,
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