Bangalore: A state cabinet sub-committee is still analyzing the possibilities of scrapping the capital value system (CVS) of property tax collection in Bangalore . International examples , though, suggest ensuring streamlined tax-collection depends more on administrative will than the model of taxation.
Lawrence C Walters , professor of public policy and management at Romney Institute of Public Management, Utah, while presenting a paper during an international conference on public policy and management, said ability to realize the potential of land-based tax critically depends on quality of governance.
The paper - on land-based approaches for infrastructure funding, done in association with Gary C Cornia, dean, Marriott School of Management, Utah - tries to establish through examples from different countries that revenues could be 'substantially increased ' without altering the legal base or the tax rate but by focusing more on detecting and valuing taxable properties . Wa l t e r s told The Times Of India on Wednesday property taxation models in India (apart from 77 other countries ) were analyzed. The study takes into account IMF statistics on GDP and property tax collections of the 78 countries, in one or more years between 2004 and 2006.
The Bangalore example
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) maintained, through the recent debate on CVS, that the model of taxation was not as important as the process of valuing properties. During a public discussion, residents also urged the BBMP to focus on bringing evaders under the property tax net.
The study explains that governance does not affect property tax results as much as it does property tax capacity. Administration of a property tax system has to go beyond the legislative definition of what is to be taxed and at what rate. The key is the administrative will to maintain accurate tax rolls, properly valuate taxable properties, bill and collect tax and provide services to the taxpayer.
Interestingly, while better governance has positively impacted land-based tax collection, property taxes raised by countries, still, comprise only about 1% of their GDPs.
40% of taxable properties outside tax net
In Bangalore, conservative estimates have it that about 40% of taxable properties are not under the tax net. The study cites the example of a country that, typically, identifies 80% of taxable properties (the researchers add that the figure is high for many countries). Assuming that these properties are valued at 90% of their actual value and tax collectors collect 90% of the taxes levied, the actual collection will be less than 65% of the possible collection.
Research holds the key
Bangalore: Governments need research-based inputs to brace for modern-day administrative challenges, A Ravindra, former chief secretary, said on Wednesday. He was speaking at the culmination of a four-day international conference on public policy and management organized by the Centre for Public Policy (CPP). Citing examples from the public health sector, Ravindra said civil servants are not likely to effectively address new challenges like the bird flu. Here, research can provide positive inputs. "Research should be ahead of public policy. Unfortunately, research reaches the civil servants late,'' he said. Pankaj Chandra, director, IIM-B , said the CPP has been emerging as an "independent voice'' far away from Delhi where the policies are made.
PPP in water sector:
Earlier in the day, possibilities of public private partnerships in the water sector were in focus. While it was highlighted that the private sector refrained from taking operational risks, delegates from the corporate sector said "external factors' ' like changes in government and water theft could not be handled by them. TNN
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Joss Stone head-butts brother
Remind us not to get on the wrong side of Joss Stone.The singer reportedly head-butted her brother after a row over her behaviour in church. It all sounds very bizarre, but let us explain.
Joss turned up at St George's Church in Taunton to be godmother to half-brother Daniel Skillin's year-old son Louis.
First of all she annoyed her family by turning up 30 minutes late. She then refused to read properly from the church order of service.
A guest told the Daily Mirror: "The priest had to remind her of her responsibilities as a godparent and tell her to answer from the sheet. It was embarrassing to see her mumble the wrong words.
"A couple of relatives were not happy and told her so afterwards. But Joss said she wouldn't 'take abuse off a bunch of old biddies'."
However, the priest wasn't willing to dish the dirt he said: "The conversation I had is between me and her."
When her brother confronted her about her behaviour at the party afterwards things got a bit ugly.
The guest added: "She was absolutely furious and they had a full-blown argument. They were screaming at each other and the next thing, Joss head-butted him.
"Other family members ran over to break it up and she stormed off.
"It turned from a nice family affair into a brawl between Joss and her brother. No one could believe it."
However, her friends have jumped to her defence saying the situation has been blown out of proportion and say Joss's head-butt was little more than a tap.
One friend said: "She had been looking forward to the baptism. No one seemed bothered that she was a little late but a few people from Daniel's side had a go.
"At Daniel's house she got lots of stick and eventually had a go back. But she didn't want trouble and when things got a bit too heated she left. She was really upset."
Meanwhile, it seems Jamie Winstone might have something in common with Joss after landing a right hook on her boyfriend Alfie Allen in the middle of the street.
Onlookers were shocked when the pair came out of a restaurant after a meal at the Buffalo Grill restaurant in Edinburgh turned into a screaming match.
Diners could hear Jamie screaming at Alfie: "I hate you, I hate you, f*** off and leave me alone."
When Alfie tried to calm her down she threw a punch, hitting him in the stomach before storming off.
Oh dear, sounds like this pair are the modern day Punch and Judy...which is which, you decide.
Source: ananova.com
Mena Suvari Celebrates Andy Warhol’s Birthday
Showing off her freshly grown blonde locks, Mena Suvari was on-hand at a big birthday party in New York City on Wednesday night (August 7).The “Brooklyn Rules” actress wore a classic black dress with a spunky up-do, looking ultra glamorous as she posed for photographers covering the celebration of what would have been Andy Warhol’s 80th birthday.
Meanwhile, Mena reportedly is ready to bare all for her new role in the upcoming crime thriller, Stuck - also reportedly filming a very steamy scene.
In her latest movie, Suvari plays “a hit and run driver whose fate hangs on the life or death of her victim, played by Stephen Rea.”
Photo Credit: WireImage.com
Source: celebrity-gossip.net
Jet to begin flights to Dubai from Delhi, Mumbai from Aug 23
NEW DELHI: Improving the connectivity of Gulf to India's capital and Mumbai, Jet Airways will soon begin daily flights to Dubai from Delhi and India's economic capital.
"The daily flight to Dubai from Delhi and Mumbai will commence from August 23," a statement from the airlines said.
Dubai will be the sixth destination of the airlines to the Gulf and second in the United Arab Emirates. The airline at present has flights to Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat and Doha from various Indian cities.
"Jet Airways is delighted to fly to Dubai, the city which has traditionally been a very popular business, employment and leisure destination," Chief Executive Officer of Jet Airways Wolfgang Prock Schauer said announcing the launch of the flights.
Flight 9W 544 will leave Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 1840 hrs and reach Dubai at 2015 hours. On return leg, flight 9W 543 will depart from Dubai at 2145 hours and arrive Mumbai at 0215 hours.
Similarly, on Delhi-Dubai sector, flight 9W 548 will depart Delhi at 1840 hours and reach Dubai at 2025 hours and will leave Dubai at 2255 hours and reach Delhi at 0335 hours on its return.
Jet Airways has introduced a special return and one-way economy class fares of Rs 11,495 and Rs 8,000 respectively, excluding surcharges and taxes, while the special return Premiere class fares will be Rs 24,940.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
"The daily flight to Dubai from Delhi and Mumbai will commence from August 23," a statement from the airlines said.
Dubai will be the sixth destination of the airlines to the Gulf and second in the United Arab Emirates. The airline at present has flights to Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat and Doha from various Indian cities.
"Jet Airways is delighted to fly to Dubai, the city which has traditionally been a very popular business, employment and leisure destination," Chief Executive Officer of Jet Airways Wolfgang Prock Schauer said announcing the launch of the flights.
Flight 9W 544 will leave Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 1840 hrs and reach Dubai at 2015 hours. On return leg, flight 9W 543 will depart from Dubai at 2145 hours and arrive Mumbai at 0215 hours.
Similarly, on Delhi-Dubai sector, flight 9W 548 will depart Delhi at 1840 hours and reach Dubai at 2025 hours and will leave Dubai at 2255 hours and reach Delhi at 0335 hours on its return.
Jet Airways has introduced a special return and one-way economy class fares of Rs 11,495 and Rs 8,000 respectively, excluding surcharges and taxes, while the special return Premiere class fares will be Rs 24,940.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Bangalore University Results 2008 declared
B.Sc. 6th Semester Examination Results 2008
Announced on 7th August, 2008
Bangalore University Results 2008
B.B.M. 6th Semester Examination May-June 2008 Results
B.Sc. 6th Semester Examination May-June 2008 Results
Click here for results
Announced on 7th August, 2008
Bangalore University Results 2008
B.B.M. 6th Semester Examination May-June 2008 Results
B.Sc. 6th Semester Examination May-June 2008 Results
Click here for results
Amy Adams Engaged to Actor Darren Legallo
Amy Adams is engaged to her boyfriend, actor and artist Darren Legallo. A rep for the couple has confirmed the engagement to People magazine.Legallo reportedly proposed with a ring by designer Jean Dousset. The ‘Enchanted’ actress met Legallo in 2001 at an acting class.
Last year she told People magainze that she was “lucky” to be with Legallo.
A wedding date has not been set. (transworldnews.com) Photo Credit: images.askmen.com
McCain slams Obama as "celebrity" again in new ad
WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain isn't letting Paris Hilton distract him from his new line of attack -- that Barack Obama is more of a celebrity than a leader.
McCain on Wednesday released a second television ad that paints Obama as a celebrity, following an earlier ad that linked his Democratic rival in the November election to tabloid staples like Hilton and Britney Spears.
The new ad avoids any mention of Hilton or other Hollywood types, but covers similar ground.
"Is the biggest celebrity in the world ready to help your family?" the ad asks, over ominous music and slow motion images of Obama appearing before an ecstatic crowd. It says an Obama presidency would lead to higher taxes and fewer jobs while McCain would create jobs and energy independence.
The Obama campaign called the ad misleading and said Obama would provide tax cuts for a greater proportion of Americans than McCain.
"Another day brings another dishonest attack from John McCain," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said. "It's time to retire these old policies and bring new energy to America."
McCain's first ad, released last week, was widely panned by pundits and denounced as cynical by Obama. McCain staffers believe the approach has helped them wrest control of the news agenda after weeks in which Obama dominated media coverage.
Hilton herself mocked the 71-year-old McCain as a "wrinkly white-haired guy" in an online video in which she jokingly declares her own candidacy and outlines a plan to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
"I want America to know that I'm, like, totally ready to lead," says a swimsuit-clad Hilton in the video, posted Tuesday on the Web site Funny or Die.
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said: "Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan."
(Editing by David Wiessler)
(To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visit Reuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online at blogs.reuters.com/trail08/)
Source: http://www.reuters.com
McCain on Wednesday released a second television ad that paints Obama as a celebrity, following an earlier ad that linked his Democratic rival in the November election to tabloid staples like Hilton and Britney Spears.
The new ad avoids any mention of Hilton or other Hollywood types, but covers similar ground.
"Is the biggest celebrity in the world ready to help your family?" the ad asks, over ominous music and slow motion images of Obama appearing before an ecstatic crowd. It says an Obama presidency would lead to higher taxes and fewer jobs while McCain would create jobs and energy independence.
The Obama campaign called the ad misleading and said Obama would provide tax cuts for a greater proportion of Americans than McCain.
"Another day brings another dishonest attack from John McCain," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said. "It's time to retire these old policies and bring new energy to America."
McCain's first ad, released last week, was widely panned by pundits and denounced as cynical by Obama. McCain staffers believe the approach has helped them wrest control of the news agenda after weeks in which Obama dominated media coverage.
Hilton herself mocked the 71-year-old McCain as a "wrinkly white-haired guy" in an online video in which she jokingly declares her own candidacy and outlines a plan to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
"I want America to know that I'm, like, totally ready to lead," says a swimsuit-clad Hilton in the video, posted Tuesday on the Web site Funny or Die.
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said: "Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan."
(Editing by David Wiessler)
(To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visit Reuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online at blogs.reuters.com/trail08/)
Source: http://www.reuters.com
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