The Indian Supreme Court has made a significant ruling in favor of the popular beverage, Rohu Afza, declaring it a “fruit drink” that is exempt from high taxation. According to reports, the court stated that Rohu Afza cannot be taxed as a luxury item solely because it is marketed as a sherbet. The beverage contains 10% fruit juice, with 8% derived from pineapple and 2% from watermelon, while the remaining ingredients include sugar syrup and herbal extracts.
The case was filed by Hamdard (Qaf) Laboratories, a leading pharmaceutical company, in response to tax authorities imposing a 12.5% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the beverage. The court overturned the High Court’s ruling, declaring that Rohu Afza falls under the category of “fruit drink/processed fruit products” under the U.P. Value Added Tax Act, 2008, and would be subject to a 4% tax rate.
The ruling is seen as a significant relief for Hamdard Laboratories, which produces Rohu Afza. The company had been facing financial difficulties due to the high tax rate imposed on the beverage. The court also clarified that the classification of the beverage under food safety laws cannot be applied to tax laws.
The news comes amid a series of developments in the region, including the Iranian government submitting its proposed nuclear deal to the United Nations, and the Iranian defense minister, Ali Shamkhani, stating that the country will not develop nuclear weapons. The international community has been closely watching the situation, with the Chinese government expressing concerns over the situation in Iran.
In other news, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first politician to reach 10 million followers on Instagram. The development follows a recent visit by Modi to Tel Aviv, where he was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has announced a decision to form an opposition alliance, led by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, and other prominent leaders. The move is seen as a bid to challenge the ruling party in the upcoming general elections.
In sports news, the South African cricket team has won the toss against West Indies in a match in Ahmedabad. The Pakistani police have also arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl, who was found dead in a forest in Sindh. The police claim that the suspect had attempted to murder the girl by inserting a cloth in her mouth and tying her hands with a rope.
In a separate incident, a 17-year-old girl in Karachi has attempted to take her own life by consuming sleeping pills. The girl’s parents have been arrested for allegedly keeping the pills at home.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has condemned the recent attack on a foreign airline’s air hostess at Karachi Airport. The IATA has called for stricter security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
In a separate development, the Indian government has announced a decision to establish a new state in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a contentious issue for decades. The move is seen as a bid to address the long-standing demands of the local population for greater autonomy.
In other news, the Pakistani government has announced a decision to launch a new initiative to promote tourism in the country. The initiative, which aims to attract more foreign tourists, will include the development of new infrastructure and the promotion of cultural events.
The Iranian government has also announced a decision to launch a new initiative to promote economic cooperation with other countries in the region. The initiative, which aims to boost trade and investment, will include the establishment of new trade agreements and the promotion of joint economic projects.
In a separate development, the Indian government has announced a decision to launch a new initiative to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the country. The initiative, which aims to encourage young people to start their own businesses, will include the establishment of new incubators and the provision of funding for startups.
The Pakistani government has also announced a decision to launch a new initiative to promote education and literacy in the country. The initiative, which aims to improve education standards, will include the establishment of new schools and the provision of training for teachers.
The Iranian government has also announced a decision to launch a new initiative to promote cultural cooperation with other countries in the region. The initiative, which aims
