A Comment about Virat Kohli, the present Indian cricket hero

My Comment on an article "World T20: Virat Kohli's legend grows with Mohali masterpiece" published in the economictimes.com Dated 29/03/2016 at 3:50 pm.


"That's a great quality in Virat Kohli. 

'Virat' means brilliant , majestic and giant. That's what he showed during all his play. 

He batted brilliantly with majestic strokes and in a giant but cool form. He was a big and fierce giant for his opponents but he himself kept very cool and well balanced in calculating and hitting his strokes. That's wonderful of him. 

Congratulations Kohli and Congratulations India for being gifted by his talent!"

A Comment on Small savings rate cut and relating it with inflation

My Comment on an article " Small savings rate cut: Who gains, who loses" published in the economictimes.com Dated 29/03/2016 at 3:30 pm.


"I wonder how do you say the inflation rate has fallen in recent periods, whereas the most essential commodities like rice and pulses are skyrocketing. 

The basic food we eat in India is rice which is at Rs.50 per kg. or even more. The toor dal is at Rs. 240 per kg. Other essential items which are required for good nutrition are also very high priced. 

So, how is it possible that inflation can be low? Isn't it like baffling the public by showing a mirage and telling them "there it is the water pond; go and quench your thirst"".

A Comment on terrorists with bombs managing to escape even from the security checks

My comment on an article "Last call of missing Indian in Brussels tracked to metro: Government" published in the economictimes.com Dated 24/03/2016 at 10:15 pm.


"Terrorism is increasing day-by-day and there seems that nothing can stop the terrorists from executing their continued attacks at some corner or other of the world. 

I wonder what has happened to all the sophisticated technology of detecting bombs while they are being carried from place to place? 

They check the passengers so vigorously before allowing them in. Even they do not spare the most humble and old people while pouring out all their contents of the baggage on floor for conducting tests. 

But they are unable to catch these terrorists who manage escaping with their bombs.

Very disappointing to see all this."

Small savings rate cut table for the Quarter April- June,2016

The below interest rates table on small savings (applicable for the Quarter April to June, 2016) is copied from the article "How to make best out of small savings rate cuts" published in the economictimes.com Dated 21/03/2016 for the benefit of public.                          

A Comment on arguments placed by supporters of small savings rate cuts

MY Comment on an article "How to make best out of small savings rate cuts" published in the economictimes.com Dated 21/03/2016 at 12 noon. 


"The author seems recommending investors to rush to Banks and Post offices before 31st March of this month to invest in Senior citizenship schemes, NSCs, KVPs and other term deposits to receive the existing higher rates. This is what he thinks making the best out of small savings rate cuts!

His argument regarding PPF rate that "it will be good when compared to inflation rate" is not a rational argument. 

He means that the investor in PPF is still better as he earns a nominal margin of 7.25 PPF interest - 5.18 inflation rate = 2.07% extra. It is not sufficient for meeting the expenses of the retired people which cannot be predicted as you don't know what need arises when.

Further many expenses are not related to the inflation rate or CPI rate. Hospitalisation expenses, higher education expenses for his children, etc. are governed by other factors which are spiralling already."

A Comment on rethinking of the lending system by Banks

My Comment on an article "Time for rethink! Here's why PPF, Small savings rates cut a good move for Banks" published in the economictimes.com Dated 20/03/2016 at 10:30 pm.


"Yes, definitely it is time for rethink by banks and financial institutions.

There should be a preferential lending rate according to the type of loans offered by banks. 

Housing loans should be cheaper as shelter is the most important necessity of human being. Educational loans and agricultural loans should also be offered at cheap rates. 

But many other loans like credit cards, personal loans,financial loans to businesses can be made expensive in most cases. Banks can fill their deficits in this way.

Banks should review their lending system and be more friendly towards common man than business people and rich class people."

A comment on PPF and NPS rate cuts

My Comment on an article "Finance Minister Arun Jaitley defends PPF rate cut, attacks Congress" published in economictimes.com Dated 20/03/2016 at 10:10 pm.

"It may be reasonable from economic point of view. 

But, government could have shown some generosity by maintaining the rates of interest intact on PPF and NPS schemes. Actually, it needs to be raised according to the rate of inflation and not to be decreased at any circumstance. 

You are grabbing the meagre income earned by salaried class and other employees who are saving for their future lives and security. Already their income is very low as compared to the increasing inflation rates. 

You can on the other hand offer lower rates on bank deposits and MFs to fill up the deficit in government revenues.That can be tolerated as investments and deposits are extra incomes in most of the cases."

A comment on Virat Kohli's gesture towards Sachin Tendulkar

	Your comment on the article ''Relish challenges of scoring on tough pitches: Virat Kohli'' is now displayed on timesofindia.com Dated 20/03/2016.
	''Good sportsmanship shown by Kohli in dedicating his winning 55 knock to Sachin tendulkar. He is so noble and recognises talented and respects them. He along with Yuvraj Singh played good strokes in spite of the tough pitch and weather conditions.Great team spirit is there. Congrats to Kohli and team India for their win over Pakistan at Eden Gardens which also created a record in cricket history.''
	Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
	Regards,
	Team TOI

A Comment on India 's win against Pakistan in World T20 (match 19) at Eden Gardens

"Congratulations India!  

Thank you Kohli for your unbeaten knock of 55 at  Eden Gardens, kolkata making it an historical event of winning for the first time against Pakistan at Eden Gardens and also making it an unbreakable tally of 11 consecutive wins against Pakistan.

Kohli stayed unbeaten on 55 with 7 fours and one six to steer India to a six-wicket win in the19th match of World T20 against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 19/03/2016 making it an historical event. 

India reached 119 / 4 in 15.5 overs with Dhoni batting at 13 and Kohli at 55. Yuvraj Singh also contributed 24 runs for the win before Dhoni came on strike. Pakistan made 118 losing 5 wickets in 18 overs."

A Comment on a topic suggesting tweaking of your salary structure to lessen the tax liability

My comment on an article "How to restructure your salary to pay less tax in FY 2016-17" published in the economictimes.com on Dated 19/03/2016.

Very useful tips given here by the author of this article for tweaking the pay structure and pay lesser tax. You can view the full article by clicking at this link.

If you draw a salary of Rs.1 lakh per month, you can show the basic as Rs.50,000 or even 40,000 and get the remaining portion of the salary re-structured as HRA, LTA, Conveyance allowance, Employer contribution to EPF and NPS and balance amount as other allowances. 

The effect is you get tax deduction exemptions on all allowances and tax liability becomes very nominal. Good examples are given by the author to support his arguments.

A Comment on Rajya Sabha passing the much pending Real Estate Bill

My Comment on an article "Big cheer for homebuyers! Rajya Sabha passes Real Estate Bill"  
published in the economictimes.com Dated 10/03/2016 at 10:30 pm.


"Very good move taken by all concerned. 

I hope this will prevent unauthorised move of black money into real estate sector and make it more transparent, besides completion of the projects by due dates.

Now homebuyers can hope for timely possession of their homes relieving them from all headaches."

A Comment on Advance tax liability of individuals more burdensome due to Budget 2016

My Comment on an article "Budget 2016 ups tax compliance burden on individuals: advance tax due 3 months earlier now" published in the economictimes.com Dated 10/03/2016 at 10:20 pm.


"Now, FM has introduced more strict compliance regarding Advance Tax payments of individuals at par with the companies. 

So, one should estimate his tax liability for the whole year in advance by 15th June itself and pay 1st instalment of tax at the rate of 15% of total tax on 15th June, 2nd instalment @45% on 15th September and 3rd instalment @75% on 15th December and final instalment of remaining tax on 15th March. 

Otherwise, interest on tax will be imposed at the rate of 1% per month for each default. 

So, we should be more careful now and deposit the advance tax on prescribed dates without failure to avoid levy of interest."

A Comment on FM's withdrawal of the proposal to tax EPF

My Comment on an article "Budget 2016: FM Arun Jaitley rolls back proposal to tax EPF" published in the economictimes.com Dated 08/03/2016 at 10 pm.


"Good action taken by the FM by conceding to the demands of the people in withdrawing the tax proposal. 

Now, members of EPF can withdraw their funds entirely without having to pay any tax. 

NPS contributors have got a rebate of no tax upto 40% withdrawals from their pension funds, which will be a benefit to them from April 2016. 

Further, the FM has withdrawn the proposal to impose tax on Employer Contribution exceeding 1.50 lac per annum which is also a relief to EPF subscribers.

Even if FM comes back later after more better review of the implications, with a proposal to tax the present period interest withdrawals, we may not feel sad."

A further comment disapproving the taxation of EPF withdrawals

My Comment on an article "IRDAI asks finance minister to fix tax anamolies in annuities" published in the economictimes.com dated 04/03/2016


They should not tax any portion of the EPF amount whether principal or interest, whether it is earned after April 2016 or prior to it. 

Why should you punish the new entrants to EPF? Are they not humans? Do they not deserve old age protection? Do you expect them to be better off at their old age than present generations?"

A Clarification regarding taxation of PPF and EPF withdrawals

My Comment on an article "Budget 2016: PPF stays on exemption list, only EPF interest to attract tax" published in the economictimes.com on 01/03/2016 at 10:25 pm.


"Now, they have cleared the doubt. 

It was very ambiguous at the early hours of Budget release today, when they announced that 60% of PPF and EPF withdrawals will be taxed. It implied that principal amount is going to be taxed. 

Now, it is clarified by Revenue Secretary that only interest withdrawal will be taxed. So, it can be acceptable to some extent. 

And, they have further clarified now, that if same interest amount is further invested into annuity schemes, then, they will not be taxed at all. That will be a good option open."

A Comment on deductions towards HRA and levying of tax on old age benefit withdrawals

My Comment on an article "Budget 2016: How FM Arun Jaitley has affected common man's spending & savings plan" published in economictimes.com Dated 01/03/2016 at 6 pm.


"The raising of the deduction limit allowed under section 80GG towards house rent paid 
from Rs.24,000 to Rs.60,000 is a very good move taken by FM. This implies that a person can enjoy a rented accommodation of Rs.5,000 per month which is a bit reasonable from the vision of common man. 

But, the deduction of tax introduced on PPF and EPF withdrawals against contributions made after 2016, is an injustice as the EPF is the only source of funds during one's old age life. Allowing only 40% drawal and taxing the rest amount is a kind of blow to the common man which will leave him insecure as he can't meet his expenses. FM should reconsider this."

A Comment on Budget 2016 implications on salaried people

My Comment on an article "Budget 2016: Eight takeaways for individual taxpayers" published in the economictimes.com Dated 01/03/2016 at 5:45 pm.


"New sops given to salaried class tax payers in this budget include an additional tax rebate of Rs.3,000. So, the total rebate now allowed is 5,000. This means that a person drawing salary of Rs.5,00,000 in a year is not incurring any tax liability at all. Those drawing above 5 lacs also get this tax rebate of Rs.5,000 from their dues. 

Another concession offered for salaried person is the deduction of 50,000 extra towards new house purchase in addition to the existing allowance of 1,50,000. But, this Rs.50,000 is allowed only if the house value is below Rs.50 lacs and on a loan upto Rs.35,00,000 only. 

I think, this allowance getting limited to only Rs.35 lac loan is not sufficient and it should be raised to a loan of upto 40 lacs as most people require to take loans upto 80% of house value."