Moderately priced computer-based billing machines launched
The Information systems company HCL recently launched the BeePOS range of products aimed at providing customised computer based billing solutions for small and medium business.
With this the HCL aims to capture the major share of billing products across more than 12 million retail outlets in the country.
The affordable range include the BeePOS Innova for the retailers in the unorganised sector. The Innova with pre-loaded software, hardware, a cash management system and a printer is priced at Rs 19,000.
The products, including software and hardware, are priced between Rs.19,000 and Rs.50,000. The kiosk-type products aimed at relatively larger businesses are priced between Rs.100,000 and Rs.500,000.
“ The number of small outlets is really huge. And this launch of new products for this market means it is extremely affordable and it comes with a full solution software, comes with hardware, cash management and a printer. The cost is below Rs 20,000. So for the first time we are creating a product which is meant for normal grocery shops, chemists and millions of small shop-owners,” said Ajai Chowdhry, Chief Executive Officer of HCL Infosystems Limited.
The Innova which can run on a 12 volt battery has the VAT system incorporated, to relieve the users of complicated calculations.
Initially, the company, which has an annual capacity of 100,000 PCs, will develop 40,000 to 50,000 HCL BeePOs. Chowdhry said with the advent of VAT, bill making is required and HCL is trying to meet this requirement for small retail outlets.
India’s retail market, estimated at 202 billion dollars, is expected to grow at 30 per cent over the next five years.
The company hopes to replicate its success story of launching Personal Computers priced at less than Rs 15000, which it launched in January last year.
Source: newkerala.com
8/11/2005
Kudumbasree products exempted from VAT
Kerala Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman told the State Assembly today that products of Kudumbasree self-help units and pappad had been exempted from the purview of Value Added Tax (VAT).
Winding up the debate on the Kerala Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2005, he said since 71 per cent of the state’s revenue came from sales tax, the government could not exempt all items from VAT.
Regarding the case of beedi leaves, he said the government had reduced the tax to four from the existing eight per cent and, if necessary, full exemption would be considered later.
Mr Purushothaman said the government had not introduced any fresh tax, while it tried its maximum to reduce the tax burden.
Taking part in the debate, Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan (CPI-M) said that the government had not reduced tax on items used by poor people, while it helped the upper class by reducing tax on luxuary items.
The Finance Minister said as the decisions were taken by the Empowered Committee, the State government was unable to reduce tax on all items.
Later, the House passed the bill by 33 votes to 20.
More: newkerala.com
4/20/2005
‘Revenue was not the consideration for Vat’
‘Revenue was not the consideration for Vat’
The empowered committee on Vat on Monday said that revenue was not the consideration when it started the exercise of value-added tax.
Speaking at the inter active meeting on Vat organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ramesh Chandra, member secretary, empowered committee of state finance ministers, said, “If revenue was the consideration, there were so many alternatives.”
“We want to have same rates of Vat throughout the country. We want to have a simple transparent law which is more or less uniform throughout the country,” he said.
The committee was determined to put pressure on the Centre and ensure that next year from April 1, CST came down to 2%, he said.
Source: financialexpress.com