« Top Headlines » Open DEMAT Account in 24 hrs  BackBack Income Tax Act amendment on cards on tax treatment of MSME dues  ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-4 forms for FY 2023-24 available for e-filing. Check details here  Income tax slabs FY 2024-25: Experts share these 8 benefits for taxpayers in new income tax regime  How To File ITR Online - Step by Step Guide to Efile Income Tax Return, FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25)  Old or new tax regime for TDS on salary? This post-election 2024 event will impact your tax planning  What Are 5 Heads Of Income Tax?  Income Tax Dept releases interim action plan for FY25 on tax collection, refund approvals   Income Tax Return: 5 lesser-known tax-saving tips from Section 80  Income Tax Return: 5 lesser-known tax-saving tips from Section 80  Why you need not rush to file your ITR immediately  Income tax returns: ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-4 forms for FY 2023-24 available for e-filing «  Depositors look for short-term plans... TN to make public VAT provisions soon... » Plea to exempt rubberised coir from ST, excise duty September, 21st 2006 The All India Coir Mattress Manufacturers' Association has suggested that the government exempt rubberised coir from sales tax and excise duty to help increase production. The Association President, Mr S. Sundaresan, said already competitive products such as PU foam and latex foam are charged lower tariffs in different States. However, the coir has to fight an unfair competition and the authorities have to seriously look into the matter. More manufacturing units He said the coir mattress-manufacturing sector had grown from 8 units in the 60s to more than 85 units. The annual sales in the sector are to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore. The industry has registered an approximate growth of about 10 per cent per annum since 1995. This is the largest consumer of brown fibre to make a value-added utility product for the common man, he said. He also demanded that cluster-based development should be organised in coconut- growing areas considering the substantial improvement in the utilisation of husk during the last three years. From the national average of 35 per cent, the utilisation of husk has moved to nearly 50 per cent. In view of good monsoon and subsequent good crop of coconut, the availability of coconut fibre has vastly improved over the last year, he said. Considering this, the Coir Board should encourage these industries by guiding them to keep good quality for producing a better product, he added. Liberal loans The Association President said that the Board should help the existing industry by providing liberal loans for technological upgradation. A separate wing may be formed in Central Coir Research Institute for research and development. The Board should also write to all State Governments to use rubberised coir mattresses in hospitals and other medical care centres for the growth of the industry.