Microsoft , Tata , KVAT and Me

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Parameswaran D

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Jan 2, 2009, 11:42:07 PM1/2/09
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Anybody visited the www.keralataxes.in for VAT e-filing ?
From 1st of Jan 2009 onwards e-filing of VAT returns is compulsory for all the dealers in Kerala.
Please go through the site and see the documentation and procedures for e-flining..  Site is developed for and by the Microsoft Community. 
 
Govt has arranged e-filing from Akshaya Centers for dealers who have no internet facility at "Free Of Cost" (Thanks to "Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme")
 
My Problem
 
I request OpenSource community of Kerala to (just forget about the FSFS Conference conducted by Govt  last month and)
address my issue
 
Details of Sales and Purchase needs to be updated in MS Excel format. Template file  "SALES_PURCHASE_INVOICE.XLS" is available for download in the site.  The data then needs to be validated with the excel macro , and macro will create a Text File (sales.txt without headers)  in "C:\KVATS" folder,  for Upload .
 
This macro will not work in OpenOffice Calc 3 .   In Calc I  can save the data as a Text file,  but it is not coming in the required format .    As e-TDS preparation and validation utility (freely available) , KVAT return validation and preparation utility needs to be developed. but immediately OOO Calc  file with macro to be released.
 
In this recession period a solution for the above  will be helpful for Traders.
 
Regards,
Parameswaran D

.Keralafarmer

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Jan 3, 2009, 2:16:44 AM1/3/09
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ഇത് ശരിയായ സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ തീരുമാനമല്ലല്ലോ. എന്റെ പ്രതിഷേധം രേഖപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു.

2009/1/3 Parameswaran D <pa...@param.net.in>



--
__________________________________________
മണ്ണിരകളെ കൃഷിയിടങ്ങളില്‍ സംരക്ഷിക്കൂ പ്രകൃതിയും ആരോഗ്യവും സംരക്ഷിക്കപ്പെടട്ടെ!
Thank you
എസ്.ചന്ദ്രശേഖരന്‍ നായര്‍,
ശ്രീരാഘവ്, പെരുകാവ്, പേയാട്-പി.ഒ,
തിരുവനന്തപുരം. 695 573
Ph. 0471 2283033
Mob. 91 9447183033 OR 91 9495983033
Blog: http://keralafarmeronline.com

.Keralafarmer

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Jan 3, 2009, 2:19:51 AM1/3/09
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This site is designed to view in 1024 X 768 resolution and IE 6.0 and above
It is the bottom line

2009/1/3 Parameswaran D <pa...@param.net.in>

ashik salahudeen

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Jan 3, 2009, 11:54:41 PM1/3/09
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V. Sasi Kumar

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Jan 4, 2009, 2:15:00 AM1/4/09
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What do you think about FSUG drafting a letter to the FM and CM about
changing this situation? They could either specify a text format that
the traders can fill in or in some way support all platforms. We can get
signatures from our members and even the public.

Best
--
V. Sasi Kumar
Free Software Foundation of India
http://swatantryam.blogspot.com

Abilash kp

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Jan 4, 2009, 11:51:01 PM1/4/09
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ഇതിനെതിരെ ശക്തമായ പ്രതിഷേധം ഉയരണം

സി.എം. നും എഫ്.എം.നേയും ശശികുമാര്‍ സാറടക്കമുള്ള പ്രധാന പ്രവര്‍ത്തകര്‍ നേരിട്ട് കാണണം.
ഈ വിഷയം മാധ്യമങ്ങളുടെ ശ്രദ്ധയിലും കൊണ്ടുവരണം.

ashik salahudeen

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Jan 4, 2009, 11:53:06 PM1/4/09
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How do we go about doing this ? What about a meeting on this ?

V. Sasi Kumar

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Jan 5, 2009, 1:00:04 AM1/5/09
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നമ്മള്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ ദേഷ്യപ്പെടുകയോ വെപ്രാളപ്പെടുകയോ ചെയ്യേണ്ടതില്ല.
സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ നയം മാറ്റിയതായി നമുക്കറിവില്ല. അതുകൊണ്ടു് നമ്മളിപ്പോള്‍
ചെയ്യേണ്ടതു് ഇക്കാര്യം ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട മന്ത്രിയെ അറിയിക്കുക എന്നുള്ളതാണു്. ഈ
ഗ്രൂപ്പിനു തന്നെ ഒരു കത്തു് തയാറാക്കി മന്ത്രിയ്ക്കയയ്ക്കാവുന്നതാണു്.
ഗ്രൂപ്പിലുള്ളവര്‍ക്കെല്ലാം ഒപ്പിട്ടയയ്ക്കാം. ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട മന്ത്രി ഒന്നും
ചെയ്യുന്നില്ല എങ്കില്‍ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയ്ക്കു് എഴുതാം. എന്നിട്ടും ഒന്നും
സംഭവിച്ചില്ലെങ്കില്‍ നമുക്കു് മന്ത്രിമാരെ കണ്ടു സംസാരിക്കാം. ഇടതുപക്ഷം
ഇതുവരെ നമ്മളെ അനുകൂലിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടല്ലൊ. നമുക്കു് ശുഭപ്രതീക്ഷയോടെതന്നെ
നീങ്ങാം.

i.p.murali

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Jan 5, 2009, 1:06:52 AM1/5/09
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+1

Anivar Aravind

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Jan 5, 2009, 2:52:08 AM1/5/09
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തീര്‍ച്ചയായും. അതുപോലെ പത്രാധിപര്‍ക്കുള്ള കത്തുകള്‍ വഴിയും മറ്റും ഇതു
കൂടുതല്‍ പേരുടെ ശ്രദ്ധയില്‍ കൊണ്ടുവരണം.

vipin kumar

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Jan 5, 2009, 3:04:13 AM1/5/09
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Team,


Is there anybody else faced this issue ?


VIPIN KUMAR.V


2009/1/5 Anivar Aravind <ani...@movingrepublic.org>



--
rEgArDs,

vIpIn kUmAr.V
TrIvAnDrUm
iNdIa

Sebin Jacob

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Jan 5, 2009, 4:08:32 AM1/5/09
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Found this posting in Boycott Novell website.

Sebin

--
...if I fought with you, if i fell wounded and allowed no one to learn of my suffering, if I never turned my back to the enemy: Give me your blessing! (Nikos Kazantzakis)

Rajkumar S

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Jan 5, 2009, 4:26:01 AM1/5/09
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Quoting "V. Sasi Kumar" <sasi...@gmail.com>:

> What do you think about FSUG drafting a letter to the FM and CM about
> changing this situation? They could either specify a text format that
> the traders can fill in or in some way support all platforms. We can get
> signatures from our members and even the public.

In the mean time is there any hacker who can provide an open office
equivalent macro?

raj

Aneesh A

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Jan 5, 2009, 4:53:14 AM1/5/09
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Yes. A strong protest should be organised, if this is not changed.

Mani A

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Jan 5, 2009, 8:01:55 AM1/5/09
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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM, Sebin Jacob wrote:
> Here is a mail that appeared in fsug-tvm. Its better to stop the argument
> From: Parameswaran D


> Anybody visited the www.keralataxes.in for VAT e-filing ?
> From 1st of Jan 2009 onwards e-filing of VAT returns is compulsory for all
> the dealers in Kerala.

The finance department still uses proprietary stuff. They seem to be
holding on to licensed proprietary material from earlier years. The
website http://www.finance.kerala.gov.in and many other things have
been done with GNU-GPLed s/w, but the fact is the department staff has
never been reformed (apparently).

It seems they use Adobe distiller, Pagemaker and more.

Are there no FOSS based solutions for all the other central tax forms?


Best

A. Mani


--
A. Mani
Member, Cal. Math. Soc


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Param

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Jan 5, 2009, 8:44:25 PM1/5/09
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Request submitted for providing Open Office Calc Template through
http://www.keralataxes.in/postQueries.aspx
Let them address the issue professionally

Parameswaran D
.

V. Sasi Kumar

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Jan 5, 2009, 11:25:57 PM1/5/09
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On Mon, 2009-01-05 at 17:44 -0800, Param wrote:
> Request submitted for providing Open Office Calc Template through
> http://www.keralataxes.in/postQueries.aspx
> Let them address the issue professionally

Thank you for your initiative.

I think we can also initiate drafting a letter to the Minister. What do
others think?

ashik salahudeen

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Jan 5, 2009, 11:29:07 PM1/5/09
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V. Sasi Kumar

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Jan 5, 2009, 11:45:22 PM1/5/09
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On Tue, 2009-01-06 at 09:59 +0530, ashik salahudeen wrote:
> http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/An_Open_Letter_To_Kerala_CM
>
Took a quick look at the letter. I think it is better to point out
specific issues, rather than making general statements like "Government
agencies are purchasing proprietary software widely." Let us write, for
instance, something like "We understand that KSEB is opting to use
Oracle, a proprietary software, when there are Free Software options
like PostgreSQL". This will make it easier for the concerned people to
identify where the problem is and take corrective action.

Manilal K M

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Jan 6, 2009, 12:10:44 AM1/6/09
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2009/1/6 V. Sasi Kumar <sasi...@gmail.com>:

>
> On Tue, 2009-01-06 at 09:59 +0530, ashik salahudeen wrote:
>> http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/An_Open_Letter_To_Kerala_CM
>>
> Took a quick look at the letter. I think it is better to point out
> specific issues, rather than making general statements like "Government
> agencies are purchasing proprietary software widely." Let us write, for
> instance, something like "We understand that KSEB is opting to use
> Oracle, a proprietary software, when there are Free Software options
> like PostgreSQL". This will make it easier for the concerned people to
> identify where the problem is and take corrective action.
>

+1
We should also provide proofs for all the facts(URL or press reports).
--
Manilal K M : മണിലാല്‍ കെ എം.
http://libregeek.blogspot.com

V. Sasi Kumar

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Jan 6, 2009, 12:29:08 AM1/6/09
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On Tue, 2009-01-06 at 10:40 +0530, Manilal K M wrote:

> We should also provide proofs for all the facts(URL or press reports).

At least, as far as possible. Where we cannot, we can say, something
like, "We understand that ...."

Praveen A

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Jan 6, 2009, 12:58:30 AM1/6/09
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2009/1/5 V. Sasi Kumar <sasi...@gmail.com>:

>
> On Tue, 2009-01-06 at 09:59 +0530, ashik salahudeen wrote:
>> http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/An_Open_Letter_To_Kerala_CM
>>
> Took a quick look at the letter. I think it is better to point out
> specific issues, rather than making general statements like "Government
> agencies are purchasing proprietary software widely." Let us write, for
> instance, something like "We understand that KSEB is opting to use
> Oracle, a proprietary software, when there are Free Software options
> like PostgreSQL". This will make it easier for the concerned people to
> identify where the problem is and take corrective action.
>

Yes. It is a draft with just the points we could list. Community
inputs like this is needed before we can finalise it.

folks,

Its a wiki, so participate.

- Praveen
--
പ്രവീണ്‍ അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില്‍
<GPLv2> I know my rights; I want my phone call!
<DRM> What use is a phone call, if you are unable to speak?
(as seen on /.)
Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now!
http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

Manilal K M

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Jan 6, 2009, 1:12:32 AM1/6/09
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2009/1/6 V. Sasi Kumar <sasi...@gmail.com>:
>

Government websites using proprietary technology:

1. http://www.infokerala.org
2. http://www.lsg.kerala.gov.in
3. http://news.kerala.nic.in/ (Site optimised for IE)
4. http://ikm.gov.in
5. http://keralataxes.in/ (Site optimised for IE)
6. http://www.keralaculture.org
7. http://www.civilsupplieskerala.gov.in/
8. http://keralamvd.gov.in/ (all the services are developed using
proprietary technology)


Sites using non-standard technology. (Government insists unicode fonts
for electronic communication. But the following sites still use
proprietary fonts refer:
http://www.keralaitmission.org/web/updates/MalUnicode.pdf)
1. http://www.thalikkulampanchayat.in
2. http://www.vellanad.org
3. http://www.corporationofthrissur.net/
4. http://www.corporationofcochin.net
5. http://www.karshikakeralam.gov.in/

Praveen A

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Jan 6, 2009, 1:24:22 AM1/6/09
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2009/1/5 Manilal K M <libr...@gmail.com>:

> Government websites using proprietary technology:

Manilal, please add it to the wiki.

Manilal K M

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Jan 6, 2009, 1:34:13 AM1/6/09
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2009/1/6 Praveen A <pra...@gmail.com>:

> 2009/1/5 Manilal K M <libr...@gmail.com>:
>> Government websites using proprietary technology:
>
> Manilal, please add it to the wiki.

Done. I didn't included the standards issue(unicode compatibility),
because it's slightly off-topic.

V. Sasi Kumar

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Jan 6, 2009, 1:52:54 AM1/6/09
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On Tue, 2009-01-06 at 11:42 +0530, Manilal K M wrote:
>
> Government websites using proprietary technology:
>
> 1. http://www.infokerala.org
> 2. http://www.lsg.kerala.gov.in
> 3. http://news.kerala.nic.in/ (Site optimised for IE)
> 4. http://ikm.gov.in
> 5. http://keralataxes.in/ (Site optimised for IE)
> 6. http://www.keralaculture.org
> 7. http://www.civilsupplieskerala.gov.in/
> 8. http://keralamvd.gov.in/ (all the services are developed using
> proprietary technology)
>
>
> Sites using non-standard technology. (Government insists unicode fonts
> for electronic communication. But the following sites still use
> proprietary fonts refer:
> http://www.keralaitmission.org/web/updates/MalUnicode.pdf)
> 1. http://www.thalikkulampanchayat.in
> 2. http://www.vellanad.org
> 3. http://www.corporationofthrissur.net/
> 4. http://www.corporationofcochin.net
> 5. http://www.karshikakeralam.gov.in/

This is good. I think we can stress on government sites first. If there
are sites that are stated as designed for use with IE, we can include
them also. Another point is to see where all documents are made
available in, or required to be submitted in proprietary formats.

If we can gather even a good part of such information, it would be a
good to-do list for the government or IT department.

sajith kumar

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Jan 6, 2009, 5:53:29 AM1/6/09
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SPARK IS ALSO SUPPORTING INTERNET EXPLORER SETTINGS

Sebin Jacob

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Jan 6, 2009, 9:40:18 AM1/6/09
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A news item regarding this in the New Age Business Daily:

Syam Krishnan

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Jan 7, 2009, 10:04:44 AM1/7/09
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Some suggestions:
1. The issue of keralataxes.in can be brought first, as it is a more serious issue than websites hosted using proprietary software.

2. Split 'Issues of Concern' and specific cases/complaints to two different sections. The 'issues of concern' can have very general statements like 'Government agencies are purchasing proprietary software widely'.

3. The use of abbreviation 'IE' can be replaced with Internet Explorer (or define "IE" as Microsoft Internet Explorer). Using "IE" everywhere makes it look like geek speak :-)

4. "order a judicial inquiry to ascertain facts on the concerns raised here" - A judicial inquiry?? Aren't we asking a bit too much? If we can point out a specific scandal or wrong-doing, then it's justified. But most of the points we raise are because of some officials being accustomed to proprietary software or ignorant of free software.

5. "fix responsibility on officials concerned and apportion blame" - I didn't like the "apportion blame" part. IMHO, that suits a rant than a formal serious letter.

6. The plural of software is just software.

7. "Recent purchase of laptops for secretariat full of M$" - should have better form and substitute M$ with Microsoft. Sounds more like a rant. And low availability of laptops with GNU/Linux (or FreeDOS followed by installation of GNU/Linux) is a fact.

8. I think we should also offer a translation in Malayalam.

regards,

Syam



Syam Krishnan

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Jan 7, 2009, 10:11:04 AM1/7/09
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Sebin Jacob wrote:
A news item regarding this in the New Age Business Daily:


ആണവച്ചില്ലുകളാണല്ലോ... :-(
പക്ഷേ, താങ്കളുടെ ഒരു കമന്റില്‍, ചില്ലുകള്‍ ശരിയായികാണിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്.

ശ്യാം

Sebin Jacob

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Jan 7, 2009, 10:12:22 AM1/7/09
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+1 Syam

and even if you know by yourself that the purchases in govt departments were in Microsoft platform, if you don't have valid evidence to prove it, better omit it. There should not be ambiguity and beating the bush.

Sebin

aashiks

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Jan 6, 2009, 10:43:06 PM1/6/09