Surat: In a significant relief for taxpayers affected by COVID-era systemic failures, the Gujarat High Court has questioned the rationale behind the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) circulars that granted waiver of interest under Section 234A only to taxpayers with outstanding dues below ₹1 lakh. The court has granted time to the Chartered Accountants Association Surat (CAAS) to file an additional affidavit specifically challenging the legality of these circulars, observing that there appeared to be no rational basis for such a distinction. The case relates to Assessment Year 2021–22, when filing Income-tax Returns for FY 2020–21 was severely disrupted.…
Author: Melvyn Thomas
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Surat: The Surat-based Association for Harnessing Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ASHINE) of the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Synchronous Drives and Inverters Pvt. Ltd. (SDI), are making an important contribution to making the country self-reliant. A team of 10 people, including 6 youths from Surat, has developed indigenous hardware and software for electronic bikes. Also, with the encouragement of the state and central governments, they are working on the world’s most efficient electric vehicle (EV) technology. Darshan Pandit, founder of Synchronous Drives and Inverters Pvt. Ltd., says that in changing times, the demand for EVs is increasing and will increase…
Ahmedabad : Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, is organizing India’s Biggest Science Communication Conference on “Public Understanding of Quantum Science & Technology” at Gujarat Science City on 22-23rd December 2025. GUJCOST is leading this two-day initiative to open the doors of quantum science – making it simple, engaging, and relevant for students, teachers, researchers, science communicators, and curious citizens. GUJCOST is a proud Academic Institutional Partner to the United Nations (UN) for the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology 2025 (IYQST-2025) by UNESCO. As part of the IYQ2025 celebrations,…
Gandhinagar : Gujarat’s startup ecosystem has been strengthened through initiatives such as the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0), setting a strong benchmark for good governance in entrepreneurship. As a result, Gujarat has emerged as a leading hub of entrepreneurship, securing the top position in the Startup Ranking for the fourth consecutive time. Under the Government of India’s Startup India programme, the state has been recognised as the country’s Best-Performer State, with around 16,700 startups currently operating across Gujarat. While promoting entrepreneurship in Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated, “Startups have the power to enable youth to start their…
Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, while addressing the National Conclave of CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India) held in Delhi, stated that the role of the realestate sector is vital in realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat. CM stated that the real estate sector will play a key role in achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat@ 2047. Speaking at the conclave held a week before the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, CM said that Vajpayeeji laid the foundation of good governance and 21st-century India,…
Surat: The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has invited President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko and the cabinet minister of Botswana will be visiting the SGCCI Global Village 2026 event to be held in the diamond city of Surat from January 24 to January 26, 2026. It is worth mentioning here that during the November visit, a meeting was held with the delegation including the President of SGCCI Nikhil Madrasi, at the Office of the President of Botswana, in which the President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Principal Secretary to…
Gandhinagar: Gujarat has undertaken essential revenue reforms to ensure effective service delivery and set a benchmark for good governance through transparent, simple, and technology-driven administration. As a result, the holistic reforms implemented by the Gujarat government have proved to be a boon for the state’s farmers, industries, and development projects. By simplifying, ensuring transparency, and digitising processes ranging from land registration to non-agricultural permissions, Gujarat has emerged as a role model of good governance. These reforms have given new momentum to the state’s development, strengthening both “Ease of Doing Business” and “Ease of Living”. The Revenue Department has accelerated end-to-end…
Ahmedabad : Gujarat State Deputy Chief Minister and Industries Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited Sanand and Bavla talukas of Ahmedabad district and reviewed the industrial progress of the state. Sanghvi visited the units of global semiconductor companies Micron Technology, Kaynes Semicon Private Limited and CG SEMI Private Limited operating at Sanand-2 GIDC. During this visit, he discussed Gujarat’s growing strength in the field of technology and future plans with the entrepreneurs. Later, Sanghvi inaugurated INOX Wind’s WTG manufacturing plant and INOX Solar’s PV module manufacturing plant at Crystal Logistics Park located near Bhayla village in Bavla taluka. Minister Ishwarbhai Patel, INOX…
Rajkot: A district-level Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference was held at Keshav Banquet Hall, Morbi, under the chairmanship of In-Charge Minister Trikam Chhanga. During this Conference, MoUs worth Rs. 2,470 crore were signed between the District Industries Centre and 50 companies, of which five industrialists signed MoUs symbolically on the spot. The Vibrant Summit organised in Gujarat has emerged as a model and subject of study for several states across the country. By organizing Vibrant Conferences at the district and regional levels throughout Gujarat, the state government is providing fresh momentum to local industries while simultaneously creating enhanced employment opportunities at…
Surat: If all goes well, then the diamond city of India, Surat, is all set for a ‘white revolution’ of a different kind. Surat is poised to become a major hub for mushroom production, converting local farmers and enthusiastic youngsters into agri-entrepreneurs. A recently concluded five-day vocational training programme on mushroom cultivation at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)-Surat has laid the groundwork for this transition. Organised under the expert guidance of Dr. T. R. Ahlawat, Vice Chancellor of Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), the workshop aimed to bridge the gap between India’s vast agricultural potential and its currently modest mushroom output. A…
