log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 226 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Over 90% taxpayers likely to shift to new tax regime FOCUS ON NON-INTRUSIVE TAX ADMIN, SAYS CBDT CHIEF PTI NEW DELHI The Budget announcement of zero tax for earnings upto Rs 12 lakh per annum and the rejig of tax slabs across the board should prompt more than 90 per cent of individual taxpayers to embrace the new tax regime as compared to the about 75 per cent as of now, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal said on Sunday. In a post-Budget interview exclusively to PTI, Agrawal said the government's and the Income-Tax Department's philosophy and approach is to ensure a “non-intrusive” tax administration in the country through an enhanced usage of Artificial (AI) apart from the regular human intelligence gathering mechanism. The CBDT chief said the tax processes available to a “common” taxpayer for reporting their income were not “very complex” giving examples of >> pg 6 Market trends this week to be driven by Budget impact IN SHORT >> 2 Indians killed in Ireland car crash NEW DELHI: Two Indian nationals -- Bhargav Chitturi and Suresh Cherukuri -- were killed in a car crash in County Carlow in the early hours of Friday after their vehicle collided with a tree, according an Irish Times report. The Indian embassy has assured that it is in touch with the families and friends of the deceased while also providing all possible support to the two Indian nationals injured in the incident. New I-T Act to be simplified: Agrawal NEW DELHI: An Income-Tax Department internal committee reviewing the old direct tax law to pave the way for a new one has “largely” received suggestions for “simplifying” the language, better “structuring” the provisions and enlarging the ambit of schemes like presumptive taxation, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal said Sunday. Speaking to PTI during a post-Budget interview at his North Block office, Agrawal said the panel also “studied” the deliberations and processes of countries like the UK, Australia and some others where a similar tax law simplification exercise was undertaken. the simplified ITR-1, pre-filled Income Tax Returns, automatic computation of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) etc. available to them. He also cited the new tax regime (NTR), where there are no deductions or exemptions allowed like the old regime, which has “simple” calculations for a taxpayer, enabling them to file their ITR without the help of a professional. The Central Board of Direct TRADE WAR ERUPTS Trump imposes stiff tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico PTI WASHINGTON President Donald Trump signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China. The Republican president posted on social media that the tariffs were necessary to protect Americans,” pressing the three nations to do more to curb the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl and for Canada and Mexico to reduce illegal immigration into the US. The tariffs, if sustained, could cause inflation to significantly worsen, threatening the trust that many voters placed in Trump to lower the prices of groceries, gasoline, housing, autos and other goods as he promised. They also risked throwing the global economy and Trump's political mandate into turmoil just two weeks into his second term. Trump declared an eco- UP on guard ahead of big day at Kumbh PTI PRAYAGRAJ Ahead of the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan at the ongoing Maha Kumbh on February 3, the entire Prayagraj division's medical infrastructure has been put on high alert, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Sunday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that all doctors across Mahakumbh Nagar and the entire division remain vigilant to ensure the safety and well-being of millions of devotees, it said. Basant Panchami marks the third and the final Amrit Taxes (CBDT) is the administrative body, under the Union finance ministry, for the I-T Department. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced significant income tax cuts for the middle class and declared that individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh per year will not have to pay any taxes, raising this exemption threshold from Rs 7 lakh at present. An additional Rs 75,000 standard deduction is available for the salaried class. She also altered tax slabs for people earning above this threshold to help save up to Rs 1.1 lakh in taxes for those with income up to Rs 25 lakh in a year. Agrawal acknowledged there always remains “a scope for improvement” going forward and it's true across the spectrum, including where there are complex business structures. “But by and large, I would say, for a common taxpayer, the things have been simplified to a great extent.” Moving ahead, he said, with the announcements made in the Budget vis-a-vis payment of income tax, more and more taxpayers “would be prompted” to opt for NTR. “If not 100 per cent of the taxpayers, at least going forward next year onwards, we should see figures in the 90s (90 per cent) or maybe more Snan date at the Kumbh. Two more special snans are on February 12 (Maghi Purnima) and 26 (Mahashivratri). The government has heightened preparations to all-time high particularly in the wake of the January 29 stampede at Sangam that left at least 30 pilgrims dead and 60 injured with the police blaming overcrowding for the incident. Over 1,200 medical personnel are fully prepared in Mahakumbh Nagar to provide immediate assistance. The entire medical force will remain stationed at the fairground and will only be relieved after February 6. Canada, Mexico retaliate TORONTO: In a swift retaliatory move, Canada and Mexico also announced tariffs on US imports. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would put matching 25% tariffs on up to $155 billion in US imports, including alcohol and fruit. Mexico's president said, “we categorically reject the White House slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organisations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory”. China plans to file WTO suit BEIJING: China on Sunday said it “firmly opposes” the new tariffs imposed on the country by US President Donald Trump and warned of taking “corresponding countermeasures”. In a statement, the Chinese ministry of commerce said that it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organisation against the US for its “wrongful practice,” the Global Times reported. nomic emergency in order to place duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada. Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a 10% rate. Trump's order includes a mechanism to escalate the rates charged by the US against retaliation by the other countries, raising the specter of an even more severe economic disruption. Ton-up Abhishek shatters records as India thrashes England  Pg12 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 than that,” he said. As per data, about 74-75 per cent of individual taxpayers have moved to the NTR that was brought in by the government a few years back. Agrawal emphasised that the Budget provisions, related to income tax payment, benefits not just those who earn Rs 12 lakh per annum but “all across”. The thought behind these decisions, he said, was basically the interest and “substantial relief” for the middle class. “All these things create a very positive sentiment in the economy and that itself propels growth. So, basically once that growth happens, the people consume, and expenditure happens and then the economy grows, and when the economy grows, it again comes back in some form through taxes.” “So, basically, it is an integrated sort of exercise,” he said. Med tourism, easy visa norms to make India healthcare hub STAKEHOLDERS UPBEAT ON BUDGET, HAIL MOVE TO CREATE PATIENT-CENTRIC ECOSYSTEM PTI NEW DELHI The Union Budget 2025-26 has been widely hailed by healthcare and industry experts for its focus on creating a patient-centric ecosystem and besides a renewed push for medical tourism backed by easier visa norms, which they said will reinforce India's reputation as a global healthcare hub. Presenting the budget on Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that medical tourism and ''Heal in India'' will be promoted in partnership with the private sector. Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) Chairperson Pavan Choudary lauded the announcements, saying simplifying visa procedures for medical tourists is a timely priority to cope with the shocks that current geo-politics, especially with respect to Bangladesh, has given to medical tourism market. “Overall this cross-border flow of patients and healers will expand the market and BOOSTER DOSE „„Will help cross-border flow of patients and healers „„To meet target of 300,000 healthcare workers „„Digital health, tech-enabled services to be enhanced „„Easy visa norms to attract international patients create more proficient healthcare workers,” he said. The government's initiatives, including the establishment of five major skill development centers, would help meet the target of 300,000 healthcare workers India aims to export annually, he stated. Asian Hospital's Chairman and Managing Director Dr N K Pandey said that creating a new healthcare economy needs a right policy push, and the Union Budget has paid serious attention to infrastructure development, capacity building, digital health, tech-enabled services, and medical tourism. “The boost to medical tourism through easier visa norms will attract international patients, reinforcing India's reputation as a global healthcare hub,” he said. These initiatives, coupled with broadband connectivity to PHCs, will also drive digital healthcare adoption, Dr Pandey said. Anup Mehra, DGM Finance, PSRI Hospital said the healthcare sector has been accorded a priority in the budget 202526. The Medical Travel Value (Medical Tourism) has emerged as a main revenue earner for the sector and the country, Mehta said. “The renewed push for medical tourism, backed by easier visa norms, will also bring significant economic benefits.” Aakash Healthcare Managing Director Dr Aashish Chaudhry said the Budget presented a progressive vision for strengthening India''s healthcare system. Capacity building is the most crucial aspect to create a new healthcare ecosystem, he said. Cardinal Ferrão re-elected as CCBI President THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão has been re-elected as President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), while Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore has been elected as the Vice President and Archbishop Vincent Aind of Ranchi as Secretary General. The CCBI, the largest National Episcopal Conference in Asia and the fourth largest globally, represents 132 Dioceses and 209 Bishops in India. The elections took place during the 36th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI at XIM University, Bhubaneswar. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão (72) was first elected the President at the 31st Plenary Assembly held in Chennai in 2019. He was re-elected for a second term in 2023 at the 34th Plenary Assembly in >Continued on P7 A scooter rider navigates through the water after a pipeline ruptured at Bhatlem on Sunday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Water pipeline burst inundates low-lying houses in Bhatlem THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A water pipeline burst at Bhatlem led to water entering dozens of homes in a low-lying area of Bhatlem in Panaji's outskirts. PWD officials said the problem arose after the end-cap of the pipeline broke inside a nearby housing colony -Dhanlaxmi colony. The is- sue was rectified after it was brought to their notice by residents, the official said. Meanwhile, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) which has been carrying out sewerage work including providing connections to housing colonies in Bhatlem and has closed road in the locality, has denied it had anything to do with the issue. In a statement issued on Sunday, IPSCDL clarified that the water pipeline burst at Bhatlem, which led to water wastage and temporary flooding in low-lying areas, was not caused by any Smart City-related works. "The episode is an entirely unrelated matter. IPSCDL has not undertaken any activities in the affected zone that could have led to this incident," the statement said. Goa struggles to meet national target on TB, leprosy eradication THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI wo national health goals set by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare to eradicate tuberculosis by the end of this year (2025) and leprosy by the end of 2027 has been dogging the Directorate of Health Services for several months. Both the diseases, though not extreme public health threats in the State, have been displaying a stubborn prevalence despite efforts to meet the eradication goals. Over the last couple of years after the Covid-19 threat receded, Goa has been logging on an average five cases of T TB & LEPROSY: THE WALL OF RESISTANCE „„Over the last couple of years, Goa has reported 5 cases of TB daily „„Annually, 2,000 plus people are testing positive „„Around 30,000 tests have been carried out „„Key target is to have village panchayats ‘TB Mukt’ „„Only two of Goa’s 190-odd villages -- Usgao and Shiroda – earned ‘TB tuberculosis cases daily. Annually, 2,000 plus people are testing positive with rough- Mukt’ status in 2023 „„Numbers, however, are static and positivity has remained low „„Goa logged much lower number of new cases than national average „„Goa averaged 133 new cases per one-lakh ly 30,000 tests being carried out, showing the State's struggle to achieve targets in the population in 2023 while nationally the country logged 179 new cases „„State’s mortality rate among TB patients higher than national average „„Leprosy has also stubbornly persisted in Goa „„Dozens of people have tested positive „„Last year, State reported over five dozen new leprosy cases quest to meet this year-end (2025) deadline to wipe out the disease set nationally. One of the targets is to have village panchayats 'TB Mukt' where a village achieves the status by logging zero to one cases in a single calendar year with at least 30 samples per 1,000 population tested. Only two of Goa's 190-odd villages -- Usgao and Shiroda -- earned the 'TB Mukt' status in 2023. Dr Manish Gaunekar, chief medical officer who heads the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in the State said the numbers are static and the positivity (cases to tests ratio) has remained low. The 'India TB Report 2024', meanwhile gives Goa the thumbs-up for logging a much lower number of new cases than the national average. Goa averaged 133 new cases per one-lakh population in 2023 while nationally the country logs 179 new cases per one-lakh population. But, the State's mortality rate among TB patients has been higher than the national average for two successive years of 2022 and 2023, the report said and attributed it to alcoholism and type-II diabetes among TB patients. Goa's TB elimination programme lays thrust on supporting patients with treatment and also monetary support to supplement diet. >Continued on P7