Category: Special Coverage

India’s digital dilemma: Balancing growth with gaming governance

Nirupama Soundararajan, Co-Founder and Partner, Policy Consensus Centre

If illegal betting and gambling is brought under the purview of PMLA, authorities would have greater power to investigate financial transactions, trace illicit proceeds, and impose suitable penalties on those involved, writes Nirupama Soundararajan, Co-Founder and Partner, Policy Consensus Centre.

‘Brand Tax’: Experts urge for clear guidelines, say ‘brand subscription fee’ can hinder innovation, growth

From Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Group to ICICI and HSBC, the issue of charging GST on brands and logos used by subsidiaries is complex, with valid arguments on both sides. But one thing is sure, the practical challenges and unintended consequences of ‘brand tax’ require clear guidelines and careful consideration of the broader economic impact.

The tax department urges conglomerates to charge ‘royalty’ fees from their subsidiaries for use of brand names and logos and subsequently pay 18% goods and services tax (GST) on that. Experts discuss how just is this ‘brand tax’.

India should soon see its first Olympics sponsor

Interest for IOC deals is also expected from Qatar, which wants to host the 2036 Olympics in Doha, and Saudi Arabia, which now has a 12-year deal to host the Esport Olympic Games.

The IOC currently has 15 top-tier partners, which collectively paid almost $740 million last year in cash and services, though none from India.