To Date. 12-9-2009.
Shri Pranav Mukherji,
Hon. Minister of Finance, Government of India,
North Block, New Delhi-110 011.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Direct Tax Code, 2009 & Discussion Paper notified on 12-8-09.
It is heartening to note that You have started the much-needed work of discarding the complicated Income Tax Act, inherited from Britishraj, by introducing Unified Tax Law in simple language for reducing the scope of litigation. It is very much necessary that all Ministers follow your foot-steps and give simple Laws/Rules to the Nation for their Ministries. e.g. for expeditious dealing of Court Cases, One Personal Law for all irrespective of caste, creed or religion, Respect for our Culture & Elders etc.
Please, accept our congratulations for suggesting quite law rates of Income Tax for all sectors based on sound policies and practices followed by various countries of the World. Principles laid down in Paras 3.2; 3.4; 3.5 and 4.1 in Discussion Paper are really appreciable and indicate your humane approach.
We, the Senior Citizens of India would like to bring out the followings considerations to your personal notice for needful early action.
1. In our country, there are no Pensions or Free/Concessional Medical Facilities etc for retired/unemployed citizens, as in developed countries even after 61 years of Independence and tremendous economic progress. Income of Senior Citizens gets reduced day by day due to deteriorating interest rates and unbearable dearness for food items and medical facilities. They do not enjoy fully Public Goods and Services provided by Government for citizens (Para 4.1 of Discussion Paper) due to immobility and many other factors. Their ability to pay Tax (Para 3.2) gets reduced after retirement and from year to year due to less income, more expenditure on food & medicines. Their Net Worth (Para 3.4) gets reduced considerably as at the beginning of the year. There are many other factors, which also require to be considered and all Senior Citizens should be completely exempted from paying Income Tax. They have paid a lot of Tax for 30-40 years during their earning period and worked hard for achieving Independence as well as present Economic Growth. If complete exemption can not be allowed, exemption up to 5 lakhs instead of only 2.40 may be considered sympathetically.
2. As per Para 12.4 of Discussion Paper, you have given some incentives for savings and hoped that people will be encouraged to save. In view of your EET proposal and permitting the savings in only 4 Savings Intermediaries, how is it expected that any one would like to invest willingly? All contributions in all kinds of P.F. will also be taxed at the time of withdrawal. Keeping savings in P.F. till retirement is otherwise also compulsory, as they have no other alternative. Now keeping in Retirement Benefit Account to avoid tax will be a big burden on retiring person, who has to use his savings for marriage of daughters or for medical treatment etc. EET and restriction of 4 Saving Intermediaries shall kill the incentive to voluntary and additional savings and people would prefer to pay tax in the current year instead of at the time of their need in future years. People will try their best to show less income and hoard money instead saving for productive progress of the Country. Senior Citizens, whose income is getting from year to year due to reduction in rates of interest, prevailing and expected rise in cost of living and medical treatment, will be at a very great disadvantage by EET rule. Though, limit of savings is proposed to be increased to 3 lakhs, Senior Citizens will be discouraged to save anything due to EET and thus will loose present incentive of getting rebate for saving of Rs 1 lakh and will have to pay more tax to the extant of not saving due to EET. Keeping in view their deteriorating financial and physical condition from year to year and keeping in view their capability to pay tax and to ensure that their Net Worth does not get reduced, as provided in Paras 3.2 and 3.4 of Discussion Paper, rule of EET may not be applied to Senior Citizens.
3. As per definition of salary, all perks are also included in salary. This will be an additional burden on retired staff, who are enjoying free or concessional medical treatment and free or concessional traveling facilities etc after retirement as per their service conditions at the time of appointment. Senior Citizens need medical treatment as a natural consequence to ageing and travel for pilgrimage or for compulsory social obligations and as such, they should be exempted from tax on such facilities, keeping in view their reduced financial capacity.
4. As per Para 7.3 of Discussion Paper, some deductions are allowed to serving employees from their income. In absence of any employment and utilization of Senior Citizens by Government, it is necessary for Senior Citizens to go somewhere or other compulsorily to pass their time usefully like going to temples, associations, pilgrimage, doctors, hospitals etc. They should also be given some annual allowance.
5. Para 12.13 provides rebate up to Rs 60000 for treatment for prescribed diseases. Prescribed diseases are not mentioned in Code or Discussion Paper. This may be done. As all Senior Citizens are suffering from some ailment or other due to ageing, this provision should apply to all medical expenses and not restricted to prescribed diseases only. As medical treatment is very costly, this limit of 60000 should separately apply to self and dependent spouse. As ailments due to ageing is beyond control of Senior Citizens, this is a disability and provisions of Para 12.14 as handicapped may also be applied to Senior Citizens.
6. Para 12.18 gives rebate to self employed persons for rent in excess of 10%. Similar rebate may be given to Senior Citizens staying in rented houses.
7. Sec 67 of the Code allows deduction for fees of 2 children. There are certain families in which children are not earning much and depend upon their parents. In such cases, if any Senior Citizens pay such fees for 2 grand children, they should be allowed this deduction. Similar deduction for payment of Insurance Premium in Sec 69(3) by Senior Citizens for their children or grand children may also be allowed to them.
8. Sec 200 of the Code makes it compulsory for deduction of Tax at source above Rs 10000 from one source. It is difficult for Senior Citizens to obtain certificate for exemption from Assessment Officer every year. Present practice or similar practice as Form 15 H etc may be continued for Senior Citizens.
Above factors may kindly be considered sympathetically and proper care of Elders may please be taken.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Letter to President for deplorable position of Grievance Solving Machinery.
To Date: 7-09-09.
Smt. Pratibhatai Patil,
The President Of India,
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.
Respected Madamji,
Sub: Apply Apply No Reply- - - Reforming the BABUDOM in 100 DAY PROGRAMME of the Present GOVERNMENT.
In your Opening Address to both the Houses of Parliament, you have promised that
`` An area of major focus for my Government would be reform of governance for effective delivery of public services. Reports of the Administrative Reforms Commission would guide the effort. Reform of structures in the higher echelons of government, increased decentralization, inclusion of women and youth in governance, process reform and public accountability would be key areas for focused action. As part of process reform, all proposals to the Cabinet will have to report on how the proposal under consideration will enhance the goals of equity or inclusion, innovation and public accountability. `
Even after 61 years of Independence, We have not been able to create an Efficient Machinery to deal with Grievances/Representations of our Citizens! Government has included the Reforming of BABUDOM in their Current Agenda for effective deliverance of Public Service and Home Minister has started some steps in this direction for his Departments but unless all concerned take this seriously, this may remain on paper, as with many such announcements in the past. I may bring out the Present Factual Position to your Notice for initiating proper & prompt action.
Generally, Public Contact Telephones are not attended most of the time. Automatic phones asking to dial 1 for this, 2 for that etc go on telling that `Your phone is very important to us and will be attended shortly` and gets you to the concerned authority rarely. All Public Phones should have recording system and when no one is available, grievance should get recorded.
All communications through Post Offices are very much delayed and even speed post take 5-6 days to reach. Prompt disposal of grievances is desirable. Although instructions appear to have been issued, no government department is using E/Mail for replying Grievances/Applications-Appeals under RTI etc. Most of the Public Authorities do not give their phone no. and mobile no. in their correspondence with public. Many of the Public Authorities do not give their full postal address with pin etc. Many of the Central Ministries do not indicate pin in their correspondence. Strict & clear instructions are required to be issued for this.
Inspite of voluminous instructions to Public Authorities for redressal of Public Grievances in a time bound manner as an integral part of governance (the last Volume of such instructions being ``Policy Guidelines for Redress of P.G.`` by Ministry of A.R. & P.G. in 2007 and ``Centralized P.G. Redressal & Monitoring System-CPGRAMS-Empowering Citizens-Enabling Government`` by same Ministry in 2009), there are many Public Authorities, which neither acknowledge nor reply any representations/grievances received by them!! The CONCERNED Public Authorities have developed a tendency of not getting CONCERNED for the Public, as they are the final AUTHORITIES of the Country!! It is very few Public Authorities like BEST, Mumbai Mahanagar Palika, Mumbai Mayor Etc, which promptly & properly reply all representations/grievances. Such Public Authorities must be recognized & rewarded at your level, so that others may get encouraged to follow them. The present position of Public Grievances is as under as per information given by Ministry of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, the highest authority concerned with dealing of Public Grievances:-
Year: No. received.
2006 1,09,620
2007 1,01,995
2008 1,24,052
2009 52,933
(up to 30-6-09)
There is no record to indicate as to how many of this large number are solved or atleast replied and how many are still pending. As Ministry of A.R.& P.G. is refusing to chase or issue reminders for getting replies to such grievances reported to them, where is monitoring or solving grievances of citizens? This casual approach of only registering the grievance and carelessness of refusing to chase must be curbed and proper procedure to chase at appropriate levels till the matter gets finalized must be enforced!
As I did not get any reply from the Ministry of P.G. or any local or central Public Authorities to whom these grievances were forwarded by P.G. Cell for the following 4 grievances of citizens of our area for 2 years recorded in the portal http://pgportal.gov.in, I requested for position under RTI Act from the Ministry, replies of which indicate the factual position of helpless citizens in respect of dealing with their genuine and real grievances!!
i) DAPRG/E/2007/07477 dt 25-10-07 for non-provision of 3-4 lights in a big Public Garden provided by MHADA-Maharashtra Housing And Area Development Authority open from 5-30 in the morning to 10 in the night for children, ladies and all citizens, as our efforts at local level from 1-11-05 did not bring any result.
ii) DARPG/E/2007/07480 dt 25-10-07 for RTO, Thane not taking any action to get rickshaws run on meter in Mira-Bhayander Area of most developed city of Mumbai!
iii) DEPOJ/E/2008/00048 dt 1-5-08 for Department of Justice under Ministry of Law & Justice not giving the copies of required instructions about preference being given to court cases of senior citizens nor giving any reply inspite of repeated reminders and request from Ministry of
S.J. & E. and CIC, Delhi.
iv) DOPAT/E/2008/00034 dt 22-5-08 for Chief Information Commissioner, the highest authority of the Country to get information to the citizens, not giving any acknowledgement/registration no. to IInd Appeals/Complaints sent to him nor intimating reasons for rejecting any appeals/complaints.
Reply received under no. H-18011/80/2009 PG(RTI)dt 10-7-09 gives the following position:-
i) There is no Grievance Cell in this Ministry of P.G. and it is only a Policy Formulating Department and has no mandate to examine or redress any grievances, though it has to closely monitor the redressal of grievances!!
ii) Maximum time limit for redressal is 60 days.
iii) For my first 2 grievances, these were forwarded to Maharashtra Government on 29-10-07 and other 2 were directly lodged with those departments and this Ministry has no details thereof.
iv) I was advised to lodge my grievances with Mumbai Municipal Corporation, though none of the two pertained to Municipal Corporation.
As this did not give the required information, I requested to give proper information for which the reply was received vide their letter no. H-18011/80/2009PG (RTI) dt 30-7-09, which indicates the following:-
i) Monitoring by this Department is prescribed for Central Ministries only and there also this Department monitors only some selected grievances only!
ii) This Department received 12995 grievances in 2007; 49247 in 2008 and 39022 in 2009 up to June, 09 but no position is available for how many solved/replied.
iii) There is no Monitoring Cell under the System and all my grievances pertain to local municipality and I have a tendency to collect matters that are to be settled by 4-5 different authorities. This confuses the issue and does not convey what the person is actually asking for. This way of reply clearly indicates the whims, pride and prejudice of the highly paid OFFICER, who goes on giving such irresponsible casual reply even after repeatedly told that these do not pertain to Municipality and all the 4 are recorded separately!!
iv) No reminders are issued nor required to be issued to either Municipality in Mumbai or to Central Ministries for your grievances, as this Ministry has no quasi-judicial power (even) to monitor!!
It would be observed from above factual position as to how Public Grievances are dealt with and self frustrations, whims, pride, prejudice towards citizens are reflected in replies even at the level of Under Secretary of such a P.G. Machinery! This highest Machinery is stated to be neither Grievance Cell nor Monitoring Cell but is to be considered as POST OFFICE!!
Similar position exists at highest local level also! Many of the local Public Authorities do not give any reply to any representations even after several reminders! Shri Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra on taking over as CM announced that citizens can directly approach him for grievances and gave his personal E/Mail address, stating that he would personally ensure that grievances are solved within 8-10 days by departments. I sent him 4 grievances of citizens of our area to his E/Mail as well as letter dt 31-12-08. No action/reply is given by him or any one for these 4 grievances inspite of several reminders to CM., though 9 months have passed instead of 8-10 days, as promised. Last general reply received from his Secretiate under no. mumansa/09/6/708 dt 15-7-09 received on 14-8-09 advises in clear words that this Secretiate is only a POST OFFICE and its working is limited to forwarding representation to concerned department and it is for citizen to pursue with the concerned departments!
As this is the factual position at the level of Chief Minister & Highest Grievance Ministry at Centre, you may like to get the whole issue of solving P.G. examined seriously and sincerely at appropriate level for fulfilling your promise in your Opening Address of reforming this BABUDOM. Second Administrative Reforms Commission in its 12 th Report had given clear recommendations for a legislation on lines of RTI but these were rejected by Government, as it may result in turf war between the executive & judiciary, as advised by Ministry of ARPG in their above letter. As per Media Report before few months, The Parliamentary Standing Committee had recommended to set up an Effective Public Grievance Redressal Mechanism in every office on lines of RTI Act. The Mechanism should be accessible, simple, quick, fair, responsive and effective and should be set within 30 days. More than 6 months have passed to this Press Report but nothing is visible. You may like to get this expedited.
Smt. Pratibhatai Patil,
The President Of India,
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.
Respected Madamji,
Sub: Apply Apply No Reply- - - Reforming the BABUDOM in 100 DAY PROGRAMME of the Present GOVERNMENT.
In your Opening Address to both the Houses of Parliament, you have promised that
`` An area of major focus for my Government would be reform of governance for effective delivery of public services. Reports of the Administrative Reforms Commission would guide the effort. Reform of structures in the higher echelons of government, increased decentralization, inclusion of women and youth in governance, process reform and public accountability would be key areas for focused action. As part of process reform, all proposals to the Cabinet will have to report on how the proposal under consideration will enhance the goals of equity or inclusion, innovation and public accountability. `
Even after 61 years of Independence, We have not been able to create an Efficient Machinery to deal with Grievances/Representations of our Citizens! Government has included the Reforming of BABUDOM in their Current Agenda for effective deliverance of Public Service and Home Minister has started some steps in this direction for his Departments but unless all concerned take this seriously, this may remain on paper, as with many such announcements in the past. I may bring out the Present Factual Position to your Notice for initiating proper & prompt action.
Generally, Public Contact Telephones are not attended most of the time. Automatic phones asking to dial 1 for this, 2 for that etc go on telling that `Your phone is very important to us and will be attended shortly` and gets you to the concerned authority rarely. All Public Phones should have recording system and when no one is available, grievance should get recorded.
All communications through Post Offices are very much delayed and even speed post take 5-6 days to reach. Prompt disposal of grievances is desirable. Although instructions appear to have been issued, no government department is using E/Mail for replying Grievances/Applications-Appeals under RTI etc. Most of the Public Authorities do not give their phone no. and mobile no. in their correspondence with public. Many of the Public Authorities do not give their full postal address with pin etc. Many of the Central Ministries do not indicate pin in their correspondence. Strict & clear instructions are required to be issued for this.
Inspite of voluminous instructions to Public Authorities for redressal of Public Grievances in a time bound manner as an integral part of governance (the last Volume of such instructions being ``Policy Guidelines for Redress of P.G.`` by Ministry of A.R. & P.G. in 2007 and ``Centralized P.G. Redressal & Monitoring System-CPGRAMS-Empowering Citizens-Enabling Government`` by same Ministry in 2009), there are many Public Authorities, which neither acknowledge nor reply any representations/grievances received by them!! The CONCERNED Public Authorities have developed a tendency of not getting CONCERNED for the Public, as they are the final AUTHORITIES of the Country!! It is very few Public Authorities like BEST, Mumbai Mahanagar Palika, Mumbai Mayor Etc, which promptly & properly reply all representations/grievances. Such Public Authorities must be recognized & rewarded at your level, so that others may get encouraged to follow them. The present position of Public Grievances is as under as per information given by Ministry of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, the highest authority concerned with dealing of Public Grievances:-
Year: No. received.
2006 1,09,620
2007 1,01,995
2008 1,24,052
2009 52,933
(up to 30-6-09)
There is no record to indicate as to how many of this large number are solved or atleast replied and how many are still pending. As Ministry of A.R.& P.G. is refusing to chase or issue reminders for getting replies to such grievances reported to them, where is monitoring or solving grievances of citizens? This casual approach of only registering the grievance and carelessness of refusing to chase must be curbed and proper procedure to chase at appropriate levels till the matter gets finalized must be enforced!
As I did not get any reply from the Ministry of P.G. or any local or central Public Authorities to whom these grievances were forwarded by P.G. Cell for the following 4 grievances of citizens of our area for 2 years recorded in the portal http://pgportal.gov.in, I requested for position under RTI Act from the Ministry, replies of which indicate the factual position of helpless citizens in respect of dealing with their genuine and real grievances!!
i) DAPRG/E/2007/07477 dt 25-10-07 for non-provision of 3-4 lights in a big Public Garden provided by MHADA-Maharashtra Housing And Area Development Authority open from 5-30 in the morning to 10 in the night for children, ladies and all citizens, as our efforts at local level from 1-11-05 did not bring any result.
ii) DARPG/E/2007/07480 dt 25-10-07 for RTO, Thane not taking any action to get rickshaws run on meter in Mira-Bhayander Area of most developed city of Mumbai!
iii) DEPOJ/E/2008/00048 dt 1-5-08 for Department of Justice under Ministry of Law & Justice not giving the copies of required instructions about preference being given to court cases of senior citizens nor giving any reply inspite of repeated reminders and request from Ministry of
S.J. & E. and CIC, Delhi.
iv) DOPAT/E/2008/00034 dt 22-5-08 for Chief Information Commissioner, the highest authority of the Country to get information to the citizens, not giving any acknowledgement/registration no. to IInd Appeals/Complaints sent to him nor intimating reasons for rejecting any appeals/complaints.
Reply received under no. H-18011/80/2009 PG(RTI)dt 10-7-09 gives the following position:-
i) There is no Grievance Cell in this Ministry of P.G. and it is only a Policy Formulating Department and has no mandate to examine or redress any grievances, though it has to closely monitor the redressal of grievances!!
ii) Maximum time limit for redressal is 60 days.
iii) For my first 2 grievances, these were forwarded to Maharashtra Government on 29-10-07 and other 2 were directly lodged with those departments and this Ministry has no details thereof.
iv) I was advised to lodge my grievances with Mumbai Municipal Corporation, though none of the two pertained to Municipal Corporation.
As this did not give the required information, I requested to give proper information for which the reply was received vide their letter no. H-18011/80/2009PG (RTI) dt 30-7-09, which indicates the following:-
i) Monitoring by this Department is prescribed for Central Ministries only and there also this Department monitors only some selected grievances only!
ii) This Department received 12995 grievances in 2007; 49247 in 2008 and 39022 in 2009 up to June, 09 but no position is available for how many solved/replied.
iii) There is no Monitoring Cell under the System and all my grievances pertain to local municipality and I have a tendency to collect matters that are to be settled by 4-5 different authorities. This confuses the issue and does not convey what the person is actually asking for. This way of reply clearly indicates the whims, pride and prejudice of the highly paid OFFICER, who goes on giving such irresponsible casual reply even after repeatedly told that these do not pertain to Municipality and all the 4 are recorded separately!!
iv) No reminders are issued nor required to be issued to either Municipality in Mumbai or to Central Ministries for your grievances, as this Ministry has no quasi-judicial power (even) to monitor!!
It would be observed from above factual position as to how Public Grievances are dealt with and self frustrations, whims, pride, prejudice towards citizens are reflected in replies even at the level of Under Secretary of such a P.G. Machinery! This highest Machinery is stated to be neither Grievance Cell nor Monitoring Cell but is to be considered as POST OFFICE!!
Similar position exists at highest local level also! Many of the local Public Authorities do not give any reply to any representations even after several reminders! Shri Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra on taking over as CM announced that citizens can directly approach him for grievances and gave his personal E/Mail address, stating that he would personally ensure that grievances are solved within 8-10 days by departments. I sent him 4 grievances of citizens of our area to his E/Mail as well as letter dt 31-12-08. No action/reply is given by him or any one for these 4 grievances inspite of several reminders to CM., though 9 months have passed instead of 8-10 days, as promised. Last general reply received from his Secretiate under no. mumansa/09/6/708 dt 15-7-09 received on 14-8-09 advises in clear words that this Secretiate is only a POST OFFICE and its working is limited to forwarding representation to concerned department and it is for citizen to pursue with the concerned departments!
As this is the factual position at the level of Chief Minister & Highest Grievance Ministry at Centre, you may like to get the whole issue of solving P.G. examined seriously and sincerely at appropriate level for fulfilling your promise in your Opening Address of reforming this BABUDOM. Second Administrative Reforms Commission in its 12 th Report had given clear recommendations for a legislation on lines of RTI but these were rejected by Government, as it may result in turf war between the executive & judiciary, as advised by Ministry of ARPG in their above letter. As per Media Report before few months, The Parliamentary Standing Committee had recommended to set up an Effective Public Grievance Redressal Mechanism in every office on lines of RTI Act. The Mechanism should be accessible, simple, quick, fair, responsive and effective and should be set within 30 days. More than 6 months have passed to this Press Report but nothing is visible. You may like to get this expedited.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Let Us Unite.
Let Us Unite! M.V.Ruparelia.
It is observed that there is large number of Associations of Senior Citizens in the entire Country doing good to their members in their own way. Many have not affiliated to their State Federation & All-India Confederation. There is a pressing need of joint & concerted efforts to look after the needs of all Senior Citizens and unless, we all unite & work, neither the Government nor the Society shall give due consideration to our needs. This is the opportune time to unite and give a strong fight for our needs in view of forthcoming elections. Our All India Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON). is doing good work for Senior Citizens and have affiliated Federations/Associations in 18 States and 2 Union Territories with a total membership of over 3.5 lakhs Senior Citizens spread over the entire Country. Our President Dr S.P. Kinjwadekarji & his team are committed for the cause of Senior Citizens. We request all Association of Senior Citizens to join us by affiliating to our Federations working in your State & Union Territories. We also request to subscribe to the Monthly Magazine- AICCON NEWS, the annual subscription of which is only Rs 100 and gives you all latest news and happenings. If somebody can not afford this much also but is willing to read, keep him aware of happenings and develop himself, he can write to the Editor with his address & D.O.B. for making some arrangements to give him this.
Our AISCCON is also part of National Alliance of Senior Citizens Associations of India (NASCAI) along with INFA, Mumbai, All India Association of Senior Citizens Forum (Respect Age), Delhi; Forum for Senior Citizens of India, Goa; Indian Retired Persons Organizations, Calcutta; RREWA, Gurgaon and many State Level Federations like:FAPSCO, FESCOM, Federation of Senior Citizens Forums of Karnataka, TN federation under formation, a parallel Federation to FAPSCO under formation, etc. These organizations represent eleven States. All National level Organizations are requested to join and strengthen NASCAI as one Umbrella Organization of all Senior Citizens of the country for proper and strong representation to the concerned authorities. The main tasks of NASCAI are:
1. Stick to the membership enrolment to national level organizations.
2. NASCAI would support these organizations enroll more members in their organizations through contacts.
3. Role of NASCAI would be as under:
Speak to the Governments.
Coordinate with national bodies.
Do what other organizations are not doing.
Implementation of NPOP.
Adherence to Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. (MIPAA).
Draw strengths from both the national and international documents to advocate the cause of senior citizens.
Involvement of Researchers and Academicians would be promoted.
Develop membership data base and make such particulars available to NASCAI to strengthen its efforts to negotiate/bargain benefits from the Governments.
Major thrust of NASCAI would be implementation of NPOP.
NASCAI through IFA had recently organized 5 One-Day workshops in Jan,09 at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, which has brought out various issues of Senior Citizens to the notice of State Governments and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It is likely to hold similar Workshops in remaining States in September,09, depending on sponsorship of State Level Organizations.
The address of NASCAI is:
Shri K.Gangadharan, National Coordinator, NASCAI, Heritage Hospital, 6-3—907/2 Somajiguda, Hyderabad-500082.
All-India level Organizations are requested to come forward of their own to support this One Umbrella Organization and make it strong and also take benefit out of its working.
It is observed that there is large number of Associations of Senior Citizens in the entire Country doing good to their members in their own way. Many have not affiliated to their State Federation & All-India Confederation. There is a pressing need of joint & concerted efforts to look after the needs of all Senior Citizens and unless, we all unite & work, neither the Government nor the Society shall give due consideration to our needs. This is the opportune time to unite and give a strong fight for our needs in view of forthcoming elections. Our All India Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON). is doing good work for Senior Citizens and have affiliated Federations/Associations in 18 States and 2 Union Territories with a total membership of over 3.5 lakhs Senior Citizens spread over the entire Country. Our President Dr S.P. Kinjwadekarji & his team are committed for the cause of Senior Citizens. We request all Association of Senior Citizens to join us by affiliating to our Federations working in your State & Union Territories. We also request to subscribe to the Monthly Magazine- AICCON NEWS, the annual subscription of which is only Rs 100 and gives you all latest news and happenings. If somebody can not afford this much also but is willing to read, keep him aware of happenings and develop himself, he can write to the Editor with his address & D.O.B. for making some arrangements to give him this.
Our AISCCON is also part of National Alliance of Senior Citizens Associations of India (NASCAI) along with INFA, Mumbai, All India Association of Senior Citizens Forum (Respect Age), Delhi; Forum for Senior Citizens of India, Goa; Indian Retired Persons Organizations, Calcutta; RREWA, Gurgaon and many State Level Federations like:FAPSCO, FESCOM, Federation of Senior Citizens Forums of Karnataka, TN federation under formation, a parallel Federation to FAPSCO under formation, etc. These organizations represent eleven States. All National level Organizations are requested to join and strengthen NASCAI as one Umbrella Organization of all Senior Citizens of the country for proper and strong representation to the concerned authorities. The main tasks of NASCAI are:
1. Stick to the membership enrolment to national level organizations.
2. NASCAI would support these organizations enroll more members in their organizations through contacts.
3. Role of NASCAI would be as under:
Speak to the Governments.
Coordinate with national bodies.
Do what other organizations are not doing.
Implementation of NPOP.
Adherence to Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. (MIPAA).
Draw strengths from both the national and international documents to advocate the cause of senior citizens.
Involvement of Researchers and Academicians would be promoted.
Develop membership data base and make such particulars available to NASCAI to strengthen its efforts to negotiate/bargain benefits from the Governments.
Major thrust of NASCAI would be implementation of NPOP.
NASCAI through IFA had recently organized 5 One-Day workshops in Jan,09 at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, which has brought out various issues of Senior Citizens to the notice of State Governments and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It is likely to hold similar Workshops in remaining States in September,09, depending on sponsorship of State Level Organizations.
The address of NASCAI is:
Shri K.Gangadharan, National Coordinator, NASCAI, Heritage Hospital, 6-3—907/2 Somajiguda, Hyderabad-500082.
All-India level Organizations are requested to come forward of their own to support this One Umbrella Organization and make it strong and also take benefit out of its working.
Will Media Oblige Elders?
Will Media oblige Elders? M.V.Ruparelia.
United Nations has defined a Country as ``Ageing``, when the proportion of people over 60 years goes to 7%. India has exceeded this proportion with number becoming almost 8 crores. Last Century’s biggest achievement is Longevity but due to industrialization, urbanization & westernization of our Society, the Joint Family, which was the natural Support System for Elders, has become almost non-existent. Elderly Population in our Country is the second largest in the World. 75% live in rural areas, 74% are illiterate, 50% are women, out of which 55% are widows, 66% are in vulnerable situation without having food, clothing & shelter. There are 225 cities with over 1lakh population. In last 10 years, growth in elderly population is increasing at more than double the rate of increase in general population due to improved health-care systems, low mortality & low fertility factors.
The fact that there would be more & more elders in future with the above types requires a serious thought by all segments of Society. If proper attention is not paid now to such a large number of experienced elders, their position & problems, the Society will face a serious insurmountable problem! I request our Powerful Forth Estate- the Media, Sociologists, Social Organizations, Thinkers & Individuals interested in welfare of their Elders to give their views on this & suggestions to improve the position of Elders of different areas & different social strata.
The following suggestions to Media may improve the position of Elders:-
At present, more than 30% readers & viewers of Newspapers & T.V .Channels are Senior Citizens. Each Newspaper & T.V.Channels are bringing out separate supplementary/programmes on various subjects like Business, Sports, Property, Art, Literature, Events, Entertainments, Women Section, Children Section etc As your elderly patrons are many and have peculiar problems & needs, it is necessary that each Newspaper/T.V. Channels give special consideration to them. Moreover, as a Torch Bearer for the entire Society, it is necessary to foresee the social situation and highlight to all segments of the Society for thinking & taking appropriate & adequate steps before the situation worsens & becomes insurmountable. It is only the Media, which can highlight the situation which is likely to be created in near future due to increasing number of elders and change the present indifferent attitude of Society & Government towards the problems & needs of Elders. I had written to Times of India, Indian Express, Free Press Journal, Mumbai on 2-9-99 to give some space for Senior Citizens but to no avail. I persuaded the matter with Times by personal visits also but with no result. I again wrote to all the three papers for this on 26-5-04 and 15-6-05 and DNA on 5-8-05. DNA started giving one page on Saturdays through Dignity Foundation. I wrote to Zee News, Noida, Star TV, Mumbai and Sony TV, Mumbai on 25-5-05. Only Z News responded and appreciated the concerns and asked for subjects on which we would like them to give programmes. 15 types of programmes were advised to them on 9-6-05 and this was acknowledged as complete informative document with thanks and assurance that this has been given to their concerned Department for necessary action vide their letter dt 16-6-05. Thereafter, there is no response to reminders, E/Mail messages and telephonic talk.
One of the major problems of Elders is how to pass time usefully. They are the Think-Tank of Society. They have done a lot for Society during their prime time. Even after Government’s orders, younger generation, some times occupy the seats reserved for elders in buses and do not vacate, shout, where separate ques are formed in Post Offices, Hospitals, Dispensaries etc. Media has to create social atmosphere of respect for Elders. Again, after having regular routine for 30-40 years, there is a vacuum in Elders` life. Few are able to do useful work of their choice. Rest remains in the house idling & just passing/killing time. Media can create various avenues for them to express & feel useful. Each Newspaper can give one/half page every day and T.V. Channels can give half hour slot daily/2-3 days in a week exclusively for Elders highlighting needs, problems, health-care, safety, mobility, second careers etc. Such a space in Media will create lot of material for Elders and the Society. Thinkers, Experts, Sociologist also will write & guide Elders in such space. Senior Citizens writing or acting in T.V. may be given recognition & monetary rewards, which will enthuse them & bring them out of routine & hopelessness, if any in some. Media may also appoint some elders as ``Correspondents`` or`` Representatives`` for some areas for bringing material about activities of Elders & their Associations and pay them honorarium. This will have not only financial support but also a feeling of usefulness.
I once again request all thinkers, experts, sociologist & Media persons to give their views and suggest ways & means to improve the position of Senior Citizens by creating respectful place in Society in the fag end of their lives.
Matter was referred to Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, New Delhi on
11-9-07 about what instructions were issued to Media. They have replied vide their letter
dt 6-11-07 that ``No notification/letter/instruction has been issued by the Division to Media. `` This aspect also needs to be looked into by all thinkers, experts, sociologist, and organizations of Senior Citizens & Media persons.
United Nations has defined a Country as ``Ageing``, when the proportion of people over 60 years goes to 7%. India has exceeded this proportion with number becoming almost 8 crores. Last Century’s biggest achievement is Longevity but due to industrialization, urbanization & westernization of our Society, the Joint Family, which was the natural Support System for Elders, has become almost non-existent. Elderly Population in our Country is the second largest in the World. 75% live in rural areas, 74% are illiterate, 50% are women, out of which 55% are widows, 66% are in vulnerable situation without having food, clothing & shelter. There are 225 cities with over 1lakh population. In last 10 years, growth in elderly population is increasing at more than double the rate of increase in general population due to improved health-care systems, low mortality & low fertility factors.
The fact that there would be more & more elders in future with the above types requires a serious thought by all segments of Society. If proper attention is not paid now to such a large number of experienced elders, their position & problems, the Society will face a serious insurmountable problem! I request our Powerful Forth Estate- the Media, Sociologists, Social Organizations, Thinkers & Individuals interested in welfare of their Elders to give their views on this & suggestions to improve the position of Elders of different areas & different social strata.
The following suggestions to Media may improve the position of Elders:-
At present, more than 30% readers & viewers of Newspapers & T.V .Channels are Senior Citizens. Each Newspaper & T.V.Channels are bringing out separate supplementary/programmes on various subjects like Business, Sports, Property, Art, Literature, Events, Entertainments, Women Section, Children Section etc As your elderly patrons are many and have peculiar problems & needs, it is necessary that each Newspaper/T.V. Channels give special consideration to them. Moreover, as a Torch Bearer for the entire Society, it is necessary to foresee the social situation and highlight to all segments of the Society for thinking & taking appropriate & adequate steps before the situation worsens & becomes insurmountable. It is only the Media, which can highlight the situation which is likely to be created in near future due to increasing number of elders and change the present indifferent attitude of Society & Government towards the problems & needs of Elders. I had written to Times of India, Indian Express, Free Press Journal, Mumbai on 2-9-99 to give some space for Senior Citizens but to no avail. I persuaded the matter with Times by personal visits also but with no result. I again wrote to all the three papers for this on 26-5-04 and 15-6-05 and DNA on 5-8-05. DNA started giving one page on Saturdays through Dignity Foundation. I wrote to Zee News, Noida, Star TV, Mumbai and Sony TV, Mumbai on 25-5-05. Only Z News responded and appreciated the concerns and asked for subjects on which we would like them to give programmes. 15 types of programmes were advised to them on 9-6-05 and this was acknowledged as complete informative document with thanks and assurance that this has been given to their concerned Department for necessary action vide their letter dt 16-6-05. Thereafter, there is no response to reminders, E/Mail messages and telephonic talk.
One of the major problems of Elders is how to pass time usefully. They are the Think-Tank of Society. They have done a lot for Society during their prime time. Even after Government’s orders, younger generation, some times occupy the seats reserved for elders in buses and do not vacate, shout, where separate ques are formed in Post Offices, Hospitals, Dispensaries etc. Media has to create social atmosphere of respect for Elders. Again, after having regular routine for 30-40 years, there is a vacuum in Elders` life. Few are able to do useful work of their choice. Rest remains in the house idling & just passing/killing time. Media can create various avenues for them to express & feel useful. Each Newspaper can give one/half page every day and T.V. Channels can give half hour slot daily/2-3 days in a week exclusively for Elders highlighting needs, problems, health-care, safety, mobility, second careers etc. Such a space in Media will create lot of material for Elders and the Society. Thinkers, Experts, Sociologist also will write & guide Elders in such space. Senior Citizens writing or acting in T.V. may be given recognition & monetary rewards, which will enthuse them & bring them out of routine & hopelessness, if any in some. Media may also appoint some elders as ``Correspondents`` or`` Representatives`` for some areas for bringing material about activities of Elders & their Associations and pay them honorarium. This will have not only financial support but also a feeling of usefulness.
I once again request all thinkers, experts, sociologist & Media persons to give their views and suggest ways & means to improve the position of Senior Citizens by creating respectful place in Society in the fag end of their lives.
Matter was referred to Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, New Delhi on
11-9-07 about what instructions were issued to Media. They have replied vide their letter
dt 6-11-07 that ``No notification/letter/instruction has been issued by the Division to Media. `` This aspect also needs to be looked into by all thinkers, experts, sociologist, and organizations of Senior Citizens & Media persons.
New Tax Law and Senior Citizens
New Tax Law and Senior Citizens. M.V.Ruparelia.
Finance Minister has notified the Draft of New Tax Law on 12-8-09 for suggestions and comments of the Citizens. This Law is a unified law for all Direct Taxes and main aims of this proposed Law are:-
i) Removal of various exemptions.
ii) Removal of ambiguity in Law.
iii) Checking of erosion of tax through tax evasion.
iv) To improve Tax-GDP Ratio by facilitating voluntary compliance.
Salient features of the proposed Law are:-
i) Single code for all Direct Taxes.
ii) Use of simple language.
iii) Reducing the scope of litigation.
iv) Flexibility.
v) To reflect the Law in a form.
vi) Consolidation of Provisions.
vii) Elimination of Regulatory Functions.
viii) Providing stability.
As far as Senior Citizens are concerned, the proposed Law gives the benefit of exemption of same limit of Rs 2.40 lakhs (Women: Rs 1.90-Others: Rs 1.60) with other common benefits of investments including tuition fees paid for children up to Rs 3 lakhs (as against Rs 1 lakh at present) with condition that roll over will not be admissible of any amount received, withdrawn from one account with the permitted Savings intermediary to any other account with same or other permitted intermediary. All savings will have to be in Permitted Savings Intermediaries approved by Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) and will be governed by EET scheme. Under E (Exempt), E (Exempt) and T (Tax) scheme, savings to the extant of permissible limit will be exempted in that year and accumulated savings with interest in subsequent years will remain exempted till not withdrawn. All savings and interest will be taxable in the year of withdrawal to the extent of withdrawal. Contributions of employee and employer to approved Provident Funds, approved Superannuation Funds, Life Insurers and New Pension System Trust will also be taxed at the time of withdrawal for any purpose including retirement, death etc under ` Income from Residuary Sources`. However, this will apply to new contributions made after 31-3-11 after commencement of this New Law and balances as on 31-3-11 will remain exempt (even if withdrawn after 31-3-11?) in GPF, PPF, recognized PFs & Employees` PFs. If the amount received or withdrawn is invested in permissible Intermediaries, such withdrawal will not be taxed.
According to proposed Law, Compensation under Voluntary Retirement Scheme; Gratuity on retirement or death and commutation of Pension are taxable but can be exempted to the extant these are deposited immediately in Retirement Benefits Account. Amounts received from approved Superannuation Funds will also be treated in this manner. As and when amounts are withdrawn from R.B.A. that will be taxed in the year of withdrawal.
Income from Salary (Pension) will include leave encashment, value of leave travel concession, if any, medical reimbursement or value of free or concessional medical treatment paid or provided by employers. Income from House Property will be taxable except for one self occupied house. There will be no separate Short Term and Long Term Capital Gains. All Capita Gains shall be taxable, except that invested in `Capital Gain Saving Scheme` and one used to purchase one house for self-occupation. Withdrawals from CGSS will be taxable in the year of withdrawal.
Any payment including Bonus received for recognized Life Insurance on maturity/death shall be exempt except that such amounts received from policies, where premium in any year exceeds 5% of the capital sum assured will be taxed under Income from Residuary Sources.
The following are the slabs of tax:-
Rs 2.40 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs: (against present 3 lakhs): 10%.
Above Rs 10 lakhs to 25 lakhs: 76 thousand + 20%.
Above Rs 25 lakhs: 3,76,000 + 30%.
Wealth Tax: Nil up to Rs 50 crores.
Rebates to the extent of:-
i) Health Insurance Premium: Rs 20000. (For others: Rs 15000. If they pay premium for parents, who are Senior Citizens: Rs 20000. For other parents: Rs 15000.)
ii) Medical Treatment for specified diseases: Rs 60000 for Senior Citizens less Mediclaim received, if any. (For others Rs 40000).
iii) Maintenance of Disabled dependents: Severe disability: Rs 1 lakh. In other disability: Rs 50000.
iv) Deduction to the handicapped: Rs 50000 (75000 in case of sever disability).
v) Deduction for interest on loan taken for higher education for self, spouse and children to the extant of interest paid, provided loan is taken from recognized Bank/Organization.
vi) Self employed will be given reduction up to Rs 2000 p.m.for rent paid in excess of 10% of his income.
vii) Dividend is exempted.
viii) Donations: To Organizations in Part A of XVI th Schedule: 1 ¼ times.
To organizations in Part B: 100%. Part C: 50%. Total Donations should not increase 10% of the Total Gross Income of that year.
Finance Minister has notified the Draft of New Tax Law on 12-8-09 for suggestions and comments of the Citizens. This Law is a unified law for all Direct Taxes and main aims of this proposed Law are:-
i) Removal of various exemptions.
ii) Removal of ambiguity in Law.
iii) Checking of erosion of tax through tax evasion.
iv) To improve Tax-GDP Ratio by facilitating voluntary compliance.
Salient features of the proposed Law are:-
i) Single code for all Direct Taxes.
ii) Use of simple language.
iii) Reducing the scope of litigation.
iv) Flexibility.
v) To reflect the Law in a form.
vi) Consolidation of Provisions.
vii) Elimination of Regulatory Functions.
viii) Providing stability.
As far as Senior Citizens are concerned, the proposed Law gives the benefit of exemption of same limit of Rs 2.40 lakhs (Women: Rs 1.90-Others: Rs 1.60) with other common benefits of investments including tuition fees paid for children up to Rs 3 lakhs (as against Rs 1 lakh at present) with condition that roll over will not be admissible of any amount received, withdrawn from one account with the permitted Savings intermediary to any other account with same or other permitted intermediary. All savings will have to be in Permitted Savings Intermediaries approved by Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) and will be governed by EET scheme. Under E (Exempt), E (Exempt) and T (Tax) scheme, savings to the extant of permissible limit will be exempted in that year and accumulated savings with interest in subsequent years will remain exempted till not withdrawn. All savings and interest will be taxable in the year of withdrawal to the extent of withdrawal. Contributions of employee and employer to approved Provident Funds, approved Superannuation Funds, Life Insurers and New Pension System Trust will also be taxed at the time of withdrawal for any purpose including retirement, death etc under ` Income from Residuary Sources`. However, this will apply to new contributions made after 31-3-11 after commencement of this New Law and balances as on 31-3-11 will remain exempt (even if withdrawn after 31-3-11?) in GPF, PPF, recognized PFs & Employees` PFs. If the amount received or withdrawn is invested in permissible Intermediaries, such withdrawal will not be taxed.
According to proposed Law, Compensation under Voluntary Retirement Scheme; Gratuity on retirement or death and commutation of Pension are taxable but can be exempted to the extant these are deposited immediately in Retirement Benefits Account. Amounts received from approved Superannuation Funds will also be treated in this manner. As and when amounts are withdrawn from R.B.A. that will be taxed in the year of withdrawal.
Income from Salary (Pension) will include leave encashment, value of leave travel concession, if any, medical reimbursement or value of free or concessional medical treatment paid or provided by employers. Income from House Property will be taxable except for one self occupied house. There will be no separate Short Term and Long Term Capital Gains. All Capita Gains shall be taxable, except that invested in `Capital Gain Saving Scheme` and one used to purchase one house for self-occupation. Withdrawals from CGSS will be taxable in the year of withdrawal.
Any payment including Bonus received for recognized Life Insurance on maturity/death shall be exempt except that such amounts received from policies, where premium in any year exceeds 5% of the capital sum assured will be taxed under Income from Residuary Sources.
The following are the slabs of tax:-
Rs 2.40 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs: (against present 3 lakhs): 10%.
Above Rs 10 lakhs to 25 lakhs: 76 thousand + 20%.
Above Rs 25 lakhs: 3,76,000 + 30%.
Wealth Tax: Nil up to Rs 50 crores.
Rebates to the extent of:-
i) Health Insurance Premium: Rs 20000. (For others: Rs 15000. If they pay premium for parents, who are Senior Citizens: Rs 20000. For other parents: Rs 15000.)
ii) Medical Treatment for specified diseases: Rs 60000 for Senior Citizens less Mediclaim received, if any. (For others Rs 40000).
iii) Maintenance of Disabled dependents: Severe disability: Rs 1 lakh. In other disability: Rs 50000.
iv) Deduction to the handicapped: Rs 50000 (75000 in case of sever disability).
v) Deduction for interest on loan taken for higher education for self, spouse and children to the extant of interest paid, provided loan is taken from recognized Bank/Organization.
vi) Self employed will be given reduction up to Rs 2000 p.m.for rent paid in excess of 10% of his income.
vii) Dividend is exempted.
viii) Donations: To Organizations in Part A of XVI th Schedule: 1 ¼ times.
To organizations in Part B: 100%. Part C: 50%. Total Donations should not increase 10% of the Total Gross Income of that year.
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