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GST RollOut: India Against The World

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The year was 1954. In an attempt to reduce tax evasion, France introduced a new scheme which since has been adopted by more than 160 countries, the Goods and Services Tax.  With an aim to introduce the concept of One Nation, One Tax, India recently joined the GST bandwagon to unite indirect taxes under one umbrella. In light of India’s newest entry, let’s take a look at how the GST taxes are levied around the world.

Just like the Indian Constitution, the GST has also drawn inspiration from other countries. The dual GST system which allows both levels of the Government to levy and collect taxes is similar to that applied in Canada and Brazil. In Canada, the Goods and Service tax is levied by the Federal government while the State levies the Provincial sales taxes ranging from zero to ten percent. Brazil also follows a similar structure with the Federal tax imposed by the center varies from 17% to 18% and the State tax varies between 4% and 255.

In India, however, GST is broken into four slabs between 5,12,18 and 28 percent but there are seven categories of taxes in total. While 75% of goods and services fall under the blanket tax of 18% certain commodities and services can be charged with 28% tax rates. In a majority of the countries around the world, a single central GST tax is levied sticking to the concept of One Nation, One Tax. Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, Mauritius, South Africa and the United Kingdom to name a few have only one tax rate across the country.

A strong reason behind India having a dual GST structure lies in the irregular distribution of finances with the majority of the population still living in rural areas. Another notable difference is the GST is payable at the final point of consumption meaning that current taxable events such as manufacturing of goods and rendition of services will not be relevant under the new regime.

The United States of America, despite being a major economy in the world does not have GST as States have high autonomy in taxation. Australia had one of the most smooth implementations of GST in 2000 with a rate fixed at 10%. Malaysia joined the GST bandwagon with 6% rate in 2015, after 26 years of debate. France levies GST at the rate of 19.6%  today, while the GST rate in the United Kingdom is 20%. 

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Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal Launches New Health Tech Venture ‘Continue’ for Wellness Tracking!

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Deepinder Goyal, co-founder and CEO of Zomato, has entered the health tech space with a new venture called Continue, focusing on wellness tracking and mental health. According to a report by Moneycontrol, the startup, still in stealth mode, aims to become “The Ultimate Health Tracker,” though detailed information is yet to be disclosed.

Background of Continue

Continue was incorporated in April 2023 under the name Upslope Advisors Pvt Ltd. Filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs list Goyal as the Director, with two Zomato employees—Akriti Mehta and Simrandeep Singh—serving as Additional Directors. This new venture reflects Goyal’s deepening interest in promoting longevity and human wellness, particularly through mental health solutions.

Vision and Features

While the platform’s exact features remain under wraps, it is expected to offer tools for:

  • Nutrition Tracking: Helping users monitor their dietary habits and nutritional intake.
  • Sleep Monitoring: Providing insights into sleep patterns and quality.
  • Preventive Healthcare: Encouraging proactive health measures to prevent illness.

There are indications that Continue may evolve into a comprehensive wellness platform addressing both mental and physical health needs.

Goyal’s Previous Involvement in Health Tech

Goyal’s interest in health tech is not new. He has previously invested in Ultrahuman, a wearable tech startup that enables users to monitor key health metrics such as sleep and heart rate. His personal fitness journey aligns with his growing involvement in wellness—Goyal has publicly shared that he lost 15 kilograms over the past four years by prioritizing his health alongside professional commitments.

Investment Background

Goyal first invested in Ultrahuman in 2021, increasing his stake over time. He is recognized as one of the most prominent angel investors in the company, holding more than 8% of its shares. Ultrahuman offers products like the Ultrahuman Ring, which tracks various health metrics, reinforcing Goyal’s commitment to integrating technology with personal wellness.

Clarification on Zomato’s Focus

Despite Goyal’s focus on Continue, Zomato clarified that this new venture is his personal project and unrelated to the company’s core operations. Zomato will remain focused on its four key business segments:

  • Food Delivery
  • Blinkit (grocery delivery)
  • Hyperpure (restaurant supplies)
  • Events Management

This distinction emphasizes that while Goyal is exploring new opportunities in health tech, Zomato’s primary business activities will not be affected.

Potential Impact of Continue

With Continue, Goyal is poised to make a significant mark in the health tech space, building on his expertise and passion for wellness. The venture could play a crucial role in addressing growing concerns about mental health and overall well-being, especially as more individuals seek holistic solutions for their health needs.

Market Context

The launch of Continue comes at a time when there is increasing consumer interest in health tracking technologies. According to recent reports, India’s digital healthcare industry is expected to grow tenfold from $2.7 billion in 2022 to $37 billion by 2030. This growth indicates a robust market opportunity for ventures like Continue that aim to integrate wellness into everyday life.

Conclusion

Deepinder Goyal’s launch of Continue signifies an exciting development in the intersection of technology and health. As he leverages his experience from Zomato and his personal journey toward better health, Continue has the potential to become a vital player in the wellness sector.

By focusing on innovative solutions for nutrition, sleep, and preventive care, Goyal aims to contribute significantly to improving individual well-being while fostering a culture of health consciousness among users. As details about Continue emerge, it will be interesting to see how this venture shapes the future of health tech in India.

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Eutelsat Launches First Satellites with SpaceX Following Merger with OneWeb!

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Satellite operator Eutelsat successfully launched 20 satellites for its communications network on Sunday, October 20, marking the company’s first deployment since its merger with Britain’s OneWeb in September 2023. The launch utilized a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which lifted off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base at 5:13 GMT.

Background of the Merger

As the world’s third-largest satellite operator by revenue, Paris-based Eutelsat now oversees more than 600 low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, supporting a wide range of broadcasters, telecom providers, and radio stations. The merger with OneWeb was completed after gaining approval from Eutelsat’s shareholders in September 2023, creating a powerful entity capable of offering integrated geostationary (GEO) and LEO satellite services.

Statements from Leadership

“This is the first OneWeb satellite launch since our merger, and we plan to launch more over the next few years,” said Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat. “We aim to integrate further into the telecom ecosystem. While satellites represent a smaller niche, they play a vital role in the broader connectivity landscape where telcos dominate.”

Strategic Market Expansion and India Focus

With a $4 billion order backlog, Eutelsat is positioning itself to capitalize on emerging markets like India and Saudi Arabia. India’s satellite services market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 36%, reaching $1.9 billion by 2030. However, regulatory delays have hindered international players, including Eutelsat and Elon Musk’s Starlink, from entering the Indian market.

“We have orders awaiting clearance in India,” Berneke noted. “Once the market opens, we’ll begin construction immediately.”

Potential Challenges

The regulatory landscape in India poses challenges for foreign companies looking to establish a foothold. The Indian government has strict guidelines regarding satellite operations, which can delay entry for companies like Eutelsat.

In-Flight Connectivity Plans

Eutelsat is also exploring new partnerships with aviation companies to offer in-flight connectivity, including onboard internet services. The company anticipates that these initiatives, along with market expansions, will contribute to revenue growth starting next year.

Importance of In-Flight Connectivity

The demand for reliable in-flight internet services has surged as airlines and passengers increasingly expect connectivity during flights. By tapping into this market, Eutelsat aims to diversify its revenue streams and enhance its service offerings.

Conclusion

This successful satellite launch represents a significant milestone for Eutelsat as it strengthens its position in the rapidly evolving global satellite communications market. The merger with OneWeb not only enhances Eutelsat’s capabilities but also positions it strategically to meet growing demands for connectivity across various sectors.

As Eutelsat navigates regulatory challenges and expands its service offerings, it will be crucial for the company to leverage its combined resources effectively. The focus on emerging markets and new technologies could pave the way for substantial growth in the coming years, making Eutelsat a key player in the future of satellite communications.

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Elon Musk’s X Redefines Account Blocking: What It Means for Users!

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Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is set to redefine the meaning of blocking accounts, sparking discussions among its billions of users. In a notable shift, blocked accounts will now have the ability to view the posts of the users who blocked them, although they will still be unable to interact with those posts.

Changes to the Blocking Feature

This change is currently being communicated to users through a message appearing on their feeds, stating:

“If your posts are set to public, accounts you have blocked will be able to view them, but they will not be able to engage.”

The transformation stems from Musk’s earlier comments expressing his desire to eliminate the traditional blocking mechanism in favor of a more nuanced approach, akin to muting accounts. Historically, blocking someone on Twitter (now X) meant that users could not see each other’s profiles or posts. However, the new policy allows blocked accounts to access the content of the users who have barred them, fundamentally altering the function of the blocking feature.

Rationale Behind the Change

Musk has long criticized the concept of blocking as a hindrance to open dialogue and information flow on the platform. He believes that allowing blocked users to view public content promotes transparency and accountability. The engineering team at X has stated that this move aims to create an environment where users can be aware of discussions happening around them, even from those who have blocked them.

User Reactions and Backlash

This development has not been well-received by many users, who are frustrated with the idea of blocked accounts being able to view their public posts. Critics question the rationale behind this change and express concerns about the implications for privacy and user experience.

Public reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Many users have taken to the platform to criticize the engineering team and Musk for the decision. Some comments include:

  • “That’s not blocking. It’s supporting stalking,” one comment with over thirty thousand likes stated.
  • “So now the Block feature is essentially useless. X keeps bringing its best ideas. I hope this violates the terms of service for the App Store,” another user remarked.

Safety Concerns

Critics also express concerns about potential misuse of the new policy. Users worry that it may embolden stalkers and harassers, allowing them to continue monitoring their targets even after being blocked. Intelligence and defense experts have voiced apprehensions about how this policy could compromise personal safety and create new risks for vulnerable users.

Broader Context of Changes on X

Since Musk’s acquisition of the platform, X has undergone significant transformations, with a clear emphasis on monetization through features like post editing and paid verification badges. These shifts, coupled with changes like the new blocking policy, have led to a decrease in advertising interest, raising concerns about the long-term viability of businesses on the platform as user dissatisfaction continues to grow.

Competitive Landscape

As user dissatisfaction mounts, some individuals are exploring alternative platforms like Bluesky, which has seen a surge in sign-ups amid criticism of X’s policies. The ongoing changes reflect a broader trend in social media where user experience and safety are increasingly scrutinized.

Conclusion

The redefinition of account blocking on Elon Musk’s X marks a significant shift in how users interact with one another on social media. While Musk’s vision aims at promoting transparency and open dialogue, it raises critical questions about privacy and safety for users.

As this new policy rolls out, it remains crucial for X to address user concerns effectively while balancing its goals for innovation and engagement. The outcome will likely shape not only user experience on X but also influence broader discussions about accountability and safety in social media platforms moving forward.

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