Betting turnover in Bihar elections is expected to cross Rs 10,000 crore

Bookies in the satta bazzar or the illegal betting market, who accurately predicted a single party majority for BJP in May 2014's national polls, are predicting that state's two political parties the RDJ and JDU may not win more than 50 seats and 80 seats respectively in the 243 seat state assembly. It is the best case scenario of both these political parties, bookies. Odds on Nitish Kumar led JDU winning 80 seats are pegged at 6:1 while Lalu Yadav's RJD winning 50 seats is pegged at 6:1.

"Anti-incumbency is strongly against JDU, while people of Bihar have still not forgotten the poor state of law during RJD's tenure," said a bookie. Betting turnover in Bihar elections is expected to cross Rs 10,000 crore.

The BJP appears to be galloping ahead in Bihar polls like the bulls. Bookies say in the worst case the BJP's seat count may not fall below 85 seats whereas there is no cap on seats on the upside. Bookies will offer only 85 paise on every rupee bet for BJP winning 85 seats. 

Lower the odds, higher are the chances of a win.

A couple of months ago most bets were on a close contest. The bookies gave BJP lead NDA and Nitish Kumar around 110 each. But, the punters now favour a clear majority for the NDA, giving it around 135 seats, JDU 40-42, RJD 33-35 and relegating Congress to single digits.

- CA Kasliwal Ambar

Tax benefits notified in the state of Bihar

Income-Tax Act 1961 Amended Through Finance Act 2015 to Provide Certain Tax Benefits to Notified Backward Areas in Specified States Including State of Bihar to Give

- These Areas an Opportunity to Grow Faster; 

- 21 Districts of Bihar Notified as Backward Areas; 

- Any Manufacturing Undertaking or Enterprise Set-Up During the Period From 01.04.2015 to 31.03.2020 in the Aforesaid Backward Areas of Bihar will be Eligible for 15% Additional Depreciation and 15% Investment Allowance Under the Income-Tax Act, on the Cost of Plant and Machinery Acquired and Installed by it During the Said Period

The provisions of the Income-tax Act 1961 have been amended through Finance Act 2015 to provide certain tax benefits to notified backward areas in specified States including State of Bihar to give these areas an opportunity to grow faster. To give effect to the amendment, the following 21 districts of Bihar have been notified as Backward Areas vide Notification No. S.O. 2241(E) dated 17.08.2015:

1. Patna
2. Nalanda
3. Bhojpur
4. Rohtas
5. Kaimur
6. Gaya
7. Jehanabad
8. Aurangabad
9. Nawada
10. Vaishali
11. Sheohar
12. Samastipur
13. Darbhanga
14. Madhubani
15. Purnea
16. Katihar
17. Araria

18. Jamui
19. Lakhisarai
20. Supaul
21. Muzaffarpur

Any manufacturing undertaking or enterprise set-up during the period from 01.04.2015 to 31.03.2020 in the aforesaid backward areas of Bihar will be eligible for 15% additional depreciation under Section 32(1)(iia) and 15% investment allowance under Section 32AD of the Income-tax Act, on the cost of plant and machinery acquired and installed by it during the said period. The aforesaid incentives are in addition to other tax benefits available under the Income-tax Act. Thus a manufacturing undertaking/enterprise set up in any of these areas during the aforesaid period will be eligible for 35% (instead of 20%) of additional depreciation. This would be over and above the normal depreciation of 15%. Besides, a company engaged in manufacturing will also be eligible for 30% (instead of 15%) of investment allowance if its investment in new plant and machinery during the period 1.4.2015 to 31.3.2017 exceeds Rs.25 crore.
Notification No. S.O. 2241(E) dated 17.08.2015 to this effect is available.

-CA Kasliwal Ambar