GST on hand sanitiser
According to several scientists the coronavirus is here to stay for a long time. Hence ‘SMS’ (sanitizer, mask, social-distancing) will be the norm to be followed in the coming months to protect oneself and others from the pandemic. Of the three essential norms, maintaining social-distancing comes free of cost. The mask is affordable and can also be made at home. Even a handkerchief can be used as a mask. However poor people may feel that the price of the hand sanitizer is on a higher side. Due to the cost factor people belonging to the poor section of society may not be using the hand-sanitiser. At present the alcohol-based hand sanitizer faces a Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 18 %. The hand sanitiser has now become an essential commodity as every household needs to possess it to fight the virus. It may be true that merely classifying any goods as essential commodity cannot be the criteria for exempting such goods from GST.
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The government could at least consider reducing the GST on the alcohol-based hand sanitiser as a part of it’s endeavour in fighting the pandemic, so that it becomes affordable for the poor section of society.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Govt taking advantage
Why do we need a government which knows only to take advantage of every single situation and to loot the poor people of our country?
The Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) has now (of course, at the behest of the Central BJP government) reportedly decided to impose 18% GST on all alcohol-based hand sanitisers across the country. The Modi Government increased petrol and diesel prices on daily basis for 20 days. It was a sample to check the reaction of people and opposition parties. There was no significant protest either from political parties or public, except some trolling on social media. It’s proven that nobody can question.
Now GST 18% on sanitiser! And in days to come many more such tax increases can be expected. Governments around the world think of how to make the lives of their people easier but here our government wants to make all the poor people to torture/suffer and to somehow squeeze them by even extorting their hard earned money taxing all the essential commodities and that includes hand sanitisers.
Around the world, millionaires are heavily taxed to give benefits for the poor but here billionaires are given special concessions and allowed to become trillionaires at the cost of all the poor in our country.
Today, our Government has opened a fund, taken money from different sources (including the poor) in the name of fighting the coronavirus pandemic but refuses to give account of the same as it says that it’s unauditable.
Now, why do we need such a government which knows only to take advantage of every single situation, loot the hard earned money of the poor to enjoy its own ache din, buy MLAs even during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but have no money to fight poverty or to uplift all the poor people in our country?
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Scientific analysis opportunities
Tulip Diagnostics, a company which also make the Covid-19 test kits, were badly hit by the virus with 56 employees testing positive on a single day. Hopefully, all employees are young and without comorbidities in which case there only anxiety to worry about. The company must stand by them and see that their families and neighbours are tested too: they can afford reduced rates for the test kits.
Being a diagnostic company with science and B Pharm graduates, all well versed in testing, quality control and analysis, this incident is a golden opportunity to find out more about the virus. With their experience in manufacturing of culture media and stains for international markets coupled with research, they can get a better understanding on how it spreads, what known measures: social distancing, proper or improper mask wearing, common canteen items whatever were compromised. A detailed questionnaire must be designed and filled by all.
The objective must not be to hide but disclose: it will help others. When Italy was reeling under the virus, they immediately came out with an animated clip shared even on WhatsApp of how a Doctor failed to take adequate self-sanitising measures in a hospital resulting in the spread of the same. They did this so others did not commit the same mistake.
At the risk of sounding boring they can even make use of the free WHO software Go.data designed for field data collection, chains of transmission and contact follow up. Their sample size of infection is large enough for a worthy study.
R Fernandes, Margao
Say no to Chinese apps and products
The recent decision of the Centre banning 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, SHAREit and UC Browser, is a welcome move. This ban will encourage children to divert their attention to more productive activities, instead of wasting time on such apps.
“Make in India” was the most recent slogan we all shouted together. But, when it comes to buying things, we all go for Chinese products — be it machinery, chemicals, fertilizers, iron, steel, plastics, mobile phone, televisions, clothes, shoes, decoration lights; everything carries a “Made in China” tag. But we hardly realise that the Chinese market is not only eating our domestic market, but also our culture and heritage as well.
People like you and me are the main reason behind it. There is an old saying which goes like this: “When a mouse laughs at a cat, there is a hole nearby.” Do we really need to tell you anything about this hole? Say no to Chinese products because you are not buying their scrap, but you are funding them and you are proving yourself as a reason behind a countryman’s death.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
State of economy during Covid-19
Goa is one of the fastest growing states in the country. Its economic growth in the last two decades was driven by sectors like tourism, Mining and pharma industry. Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2011-12 to 2019-20 was recorded at 9.08%. In 2017-18 Goa’s net state domestic product (NSDP) was valued at Rs 641.50 billion.
According to a released report by India Ratings and Research, Due to the impact of Covid-19-induced lockdown on economic activities Goa is likely to CONTRACT gross state domestic product (GSDP) growth by 14.3%. Highest amongst all states. States dependent more on agriculture, banking & IT services to do relatively better.that’s why state like Madhya Pradesh which is highly dependent on agriculture show only 2.3% contraction in GSDP.
The Economic Survey of Goa says, that the primary sector accounts for 9.95 per cent, secondary sector 53.23 percent and tertiary sector 36.82 per cent. There is a need to shift economy dependence on few such sectors and make Goa’s economy more diverse.
Govt has taken steps to boost agriculture during Covid-19 times. Registration of Krishi Card is being taken on huge scale. CM has given each Zonal Agriculture officer a certain target.agriculture output is likely to increase as this year’s monsoon is ample. Still, tourism and mining are at standstill. Borders have been opened but there is no inflow of tourists. Mined ore e-auction is underway. It’s providing state with some revenue.
Goa mining case will come up in Supreme Court next Thursday. If the decision is in favour it will be encouraging news as it can really boost state economy.
Yugal Prabhu Dessai, Sanvordem
