airbuddy's blog

Airtel to bring 3G iPhone to India...

2008-06-11T11:34:00.007+05:30

Yesterday Mr. Jobs announced the availability of 3G iPhones. This phone is superior to the existing iPhone in terms of speed. The pricing is good, its $199 for a 8GB model.

Today, the news is that Airtel will bring this phone to India sometime later this year. The Times of India edition (dated: 11-June-2008) mentions this and so does this press release on the Apple web site.

The TOI article mentioned that the bookings for iPhone has started. I was thrilled and decided to check if I could make a booking. I called 121 (Airtel Customer Care) to check for more information. Unfortunately they do not have any information about iPhone. Now am not sure what the following paragraph in the TOI article meant..
...
After announcing a tie-up for bringing iPhone, Bharti Airtel and Apple extended their partnership to launch the 3G version of iPhone in India later this year, for which booking has already started.
.... Here is the link to TOI Article.

However, you can send an SMS with the keyword 'iPhone' to 53421 (toll-free) to get more information.

Check it out!.

My Amazon Shoppee!

2008-06-10T14:26:00.000+05:30

I have links to books and publications that are closely related to various functions of business, finance and investments.

Check it out!, you are sure to find a good bargain here...
Airbuddy's Amazon aStore

You can get more information about Amazon aStore here.

Bio-Metric PAN Cards in India

2008-06-10T11:58:00.000+05:30

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has reiterated his promise of providing bio-metric pan cards.

Highlights ...

- Initially offered only the new applicants.
- Exact date of offering not available.
- Will reduce the issue of duplicate and fake PAN cards.
- The bio-metric card will contain the holders, fingerprint and retina scan.
- Will cost between 200-300 rupees. Existing cards cost only 67 rupees.

Apply for a PAN Card

2008-06-10T11:38:00.002+05:30

The e-revolution in India has added this new facility. Applying for PAN card online.

Visit : https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html for apply for the PAN. This web site contains complete and accurate information about applying for PAN card. I have listed only a specific set of instructions to find the AO details.

Points to note before you apply
1. Make sure you read the instructions page. They contain all information required to the fill the PAN card form (49a).

2. Some people have issues finding the AO details. Its rather simple. Follow these steps find your AO details.
- 2a - Click the link "For Non International Taxation AO details Click here".
- 2b - In the page the opens, scroll down to see a row of alphabets.
- 2c - Select the alphabet for your city. Example, click B if you are in Bangalore. Click L if you are in Lucknow.
- 2d - Select the city in the new page.
- 2e - The next page with this title will open:- "Search has found (x) number of AO Code records in (your city's name)".
- 2f - Search for your area to get the AO details.
- 2g - Make a selection by clicking the white circle in the first column and click submit (at the end of the page).
The AO details will be automatically filled in the PAN form.

3. After you fill the form, you can make the payment using your credit card. This is easy and safe.

4. After you make the payment, the web site will generate a transaction number and acknowledgement number.

For a new PAN card, send the following
1. Take a print out of the acknowledgment receipt, the form that you had filled.

2. Attach them with your ID proof and address proof.

3. Superscribe the envelope with 'APPLICATION FOR PAN - Acknowledgment Number' (Example 'APPLICATION FOR PAN - 123456789123456789').

4. Send them to

-----------------------------------------------------------
Income Tax PAN Services Unit,
National Securities Depository Limited,
1st floor,Times Tower, Kamala Mills Compound,
Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W),
Mumbai - 400013'.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helps!

What are 80 C , 80 CC, and 80 CCC Deductions

2008-06-09T15:35:00.000+05:30

The following are the items that come under the 80 C, 80 CC, and 80 CCC deductions. Its a quick reference.

The information is collected from Direct Tax Laws BY:- T.N.Manoharan.
Click the see the larger image of the table.

Limit on deductions under sections 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD-Sec.80CCE
Though individual limits for section 80C-Contibution to specified investments; Sec80ccc-Pension fund; and sec.80CCd-Pension scheme of Central Government are provided under the relevant sections, the aggregate of deduction under these sections is restricted to a maximum of Rs.1, 00,000.

Plan your Holiday

2008-06-09T15:06:00.000+05:30

Here is the holiday plan list for June 2008 to Dec 2008. Check it out, you have some real holidays coming up.

Date	Day	Holiday	Leave Plan
15 Aug	Friday	Independence Day	3 day weekend
23 or 24th Aug	Saturday or Sunday	Janmashtami	Bad luck here!
3 Sep	Wednesday	Ganesh Chathurti	Take Thu/Fri off. You get 5 days. ...and a pink slip at no extra cost.
12 Sep	Friday	Onam	3 day weekend
30 Sep	Tuesday	Navarathri	Take Monday off. You get 4 days.
1 Oct	Wednesday	Ramzan	Take Thu/Fri off. You get 5 days. ...and a pink slip at no extra cost.
2 Oct	Thursday	Gandhi Jayanti	Take Friday off. You get 4 days.
8 Oct	Wednesday	Ayutha Pooja	Take Thu/Fri off. You get 5 days. ...and a pink slip at no extra cost.
9 Oct	Thursday	Dusshera	Take Friday off. You get 4 days.
28 Oct	Tuesday	Diwali	Take Monday off. You get 4 days.
13 Nov	Thursday	Guru Nanak Jayanthi	Take Friday off. You get 4 days.
8 or 9 Dec	Monday or Tuesday	Bakrid	If its Monday, you get 3 days, and if its Friday, you get 4 days.
25 Dec	Thursday	Christmas	Take Friday off. You get 4 days.
29 Dec	Monday	Muharram	3 day weekend.

Car Loan Comparison

2008-05-27T23:02:00.000+05:30

The following are car loans offered by few banks in Bangalore. The information is accurate as on this day - May 22-2008.

Bank Name	Loan Amount ( % )		Rate of Interest			Time to Sanction Loan	Documents Required
Bank Name	Ex-Showroom	On Road	3 Yrs	5 Yrs	> 5 Yrs	Time to Sanction Loan	Documents Required
SBI	NA	85	11.5	11.75	12	3 Days	Address Proof, ID Proof, 6-months salary statement, 3Yrs ITR, Photo, Bank statment, Price quotation from the dealer.
Indian Bank	NA	90	10.5	11	NA	2 Weeks	Address Proof, ID Proof, 6-months salary statement, 3Yrs ITR, Photo.
HDFC	92 to 95	NA	11.75	12	NA	5 to 7 Days	Address Proof, ID Proof, 6-months salary statement, 3Yrs ITR, Photo, Bank statment, Price quotation from the dealer.