Media & Entertainment

Introduction

The Indian M&E sector is making significant space for itself on global canvas owing to which many international production houses and business conglomerates are venturing into the country. For instance, Disney’s big stake buy in UTV Software Communications majorly drove the foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2011-12 in the sector, which stood at Rs 32.64 billion (US$ 588.95 million) 72 per cent higher than Rs 18.87 billion (US$ 340.86 million) received in 2010-11.

Television

Healthy advertisement spends coupled with increased penetration in rural and semi-urban areas are propelling the growth of the television sector in India. Emergence of direct-to-home (DTH) technology in a big way has made the television industry mark a value of US$ 7.1 billion by the end of 2011, which was 14 per cent higher than that in 2010.

A report prepared by KPMG, along with an industry body, has stated that while the current level of penetration is estimated at around 60 per cent, there is still a room for expansion in the Indian TV landscape. The report estimates that pay-TV subscription revenue will increase from 65 per cent in 2011 to 69 per cent by 2016.

Radio

While TV is a captive medium, radio allows freedom of movement. Other than being a popular medium with the youth, radio has far-reaching impact on people in remote places.

Recently, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) has launched an interactive live web-radio from its campus studio in Nashik, Maharashtra. Through this technology, the university intends to connect students from anywhere in the world to experts of various subjects and enable them to listen to lectures, hold discussions and interviews.

Online and Mobile Entertainment

Internet has emerged as one of the strongest mediums to reach out to people, due to better broadband speeds, easy availability and reasonable pricing of internet-enabled devices and awareness among today’s youth. The online viewership of video content is on an upsurge – be it for news or for entertainment (social networking, shopping, et al). Due to this increased popularity, mobile phones have become the second most-viewed screen for Indian consumers. About two crore internet users in India are opting for the service over their mobile phones, according to a study by online audience and ad measurement platform Vizisense.

Social networking sites have also gained a lot of attention over past few years. They reach to about 82 per cent of the world’s online population and the numbers are increasing day by day. India’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also looking to capitalise this medium as social media in the country is growing at 100 per cent and 129.3 million Indians are anticipated to join the forums. SMEs are looking forward to reach and develop a strong consumer base through social networking sites. An industry body has even joined hands with Facebook to organise road shows to spread awareness among SMEs about the benefits of using social media for business transformation.

Films

The Indian film fraternity will complete its century in 2013. The industry is anticipated to grow by 9 per cent per annum till 2015 to reach US$ 2.8 billion, according to Deloitte.

In an effort to make India a hub for international films, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) is contemplating to establish a Film Commission that will initially act as a single-window clearance agency to grant permits for shooting. If the initiative gets materialised, international production houses will save a lot of time and energy which are currently diverted in seeking multiple approvals.

Investments

The Indian advertising industry clocked revenues worth Rs 25,594 crore (US$ 4.62 billion) in 2011, which were 8 per cent higher than the figures achieved in 2010, according to a report by Pitch Madison India.

• The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector has numerous brands and categories to offer to consumers. The sector players keep introducing new products and hence, seek sales-support with ads and promos. The industry segment contributes more than half to TV advertising and 9 per cent to the print media.
• In order to target multi-tasking and busy viewers, M&E industry major Zee Entertainment Enterprises has launched its over-the-top (OTT) distribution platform called Ditto TV. The new service, which facilitates live TV channels and on-demand video content to users on their mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, entertainment boxes and connected TVs, was launched in Februry 2012 and also offers features such as adaptive streaming, an electronic program guide and a content recommendation application.
• Aegis Group has acquired Communicate 2 to merge it with its iProspect global network. Communicate 2 is a specialist performance marketing firm that counts search marketing, digital strategy consulting, social media and digital content production as its forte.
• Getit, pioneer of the concept of Yellow Pages in India, has appointed Aidem ventures to handle its corporate advertising sales for next 5 years. Getit has upgraded itself into a digital media firm that specialises in local search and classifieds. It is India’s leading ‘directional media’ service provider that facilitates quality prospects to businesses and brands across the categories. Aidem is an independent media consulting, marketing and advertising, sales company.

Government Initiatives

Apart from setting up a Film Commission, the Ministry of I&B is also working on an incentive package in co-operation with the Ministry of Tourism wherein they would promote film tourism.

Ms Ambika Soni, Minister for I&B, India and her counterpart, the Poland Minister for Culture and National Heritage, Mr B Zdrojewski, will sign an audio-visual co-production agreement. The two ministries would also hold discussions on how to preserve film heritage at the National Film Archives of Poland.

Road Ahead

Indian animation industry is at a very nascent stage and is expected to grow in the recent future. Indian players are majorly acting as ‘service providers’ wherein they are involved with labour-intensive production and post-production activities. However, they are increasingly adapting to international animation standards and are learning modern techniques to come at par. Industry experts, considering the potential in Indian participants, expect the country’s animation industry to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 23 per cent to reach US$ 961 million by 2013.

Exchange Rate Used: INR 1 = US$ 0.01805 as on September 13, 2012

References: Media Reports, Press Releases, Deloitte Report

Doing Business in Singapore: Guide for Indian Entrepreneurs!

India and Singapore are on a path of increasing economic integration. The ties that bind these countries have a long history – they are rooted in a common culture and a shared legacy of being former British colonies.

Since 1991 (as a result of India’s Look East trade policy), cultural exchange, immigration and military links between both countries have increased dramatically. By 2001, Singapore-India bilateral trade had increased to S$2.65 billion. In 2005, both countries signed the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). By the next year, total trade grew four-fold to approximately S$11 billion.

Existing India Singapore Business Relationship

According to International Enterprise Singapore (the national agency responsible for spurring Singapore’s external economy) India became Singapore’s 10^th largest trading partner in 2010, registering S$30.7 billion in total trade, up from S$21.6 billion in 2009. Data from the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) shows that as of June 2011, Singapore’s Indian business community has become the single largest country-based business community in Singapore, having grown by 25% within less than a year.

The reasons for this deepening trade relationship are multi-fold. Singapore has long been an attractive business destination as companies and investors recognize the value of its unique geographical and political environment. Firms can access most of the major Asian markets from Singapore.

Singapore’s responsive government and efficient legal system results in a pro-business environment which offers low tax rates, sophisticated infrastructure, strong IP protection, progressive immigration policies and an abundance of skilled labour force. Together, these factors have continued to entice entrepreneurs and multinationals to set up business ventures in Singapore.

Many Indian firms and entrepreneurs have done so in recent years. In 2009, Bangalore-based infrastructure giant, GMR Group; and K S Oils, India’s leading integrated edible oil FMCG company set up their regional and international offices respectively in Singapore.

In the same year, August Media was founded in Singapore and within a year, had scored a $60 million deal with US animation giant Classic Media. In September 2010, rope wire manufacturer Usha Martin announced its plans to make Singapore its corporate engineering knowledge center as well as international headquarters. In May 2011, Tata Communications named Singapore as its official international headquarters.

For many Indian entrepreneurs and businesses, Singapore holds a cultural attraction as well. It represents harmonious balance between the East and West and offers a culture that is familiar and comfortable for many Indians. Singapore is a clean, well-functioning cosmopolitan city with low pollution levels, reliable public transportation, high quality educational institutions and increasingly colourful entertainment, dining and arts scene. The recent uptrend in the purchasing of property by Indian expats also demonstrates that many find Singapore an attractive place to live.

How to start a Business in Singapore

If you are considering Singapore as the location for your business, there are some important considerations that you should keep in mind. First of all, you must carefully consider the type of company you plan to setup. For individual foreign entrepreneurs, the clear choice is to incorporate a private limited Singapore company. Foreign companies on the other hand, have a choice of setting up a branch office, a subsidiary company or a representative office in Singapore.

Singapore law allows 100% foreign ownership of Singapore companies. A Singapore company can be registered with a minimum of one shareholder, one director, and a paid-up capital of $1 only. Each company must appoint a Singapore-based company secretary and registered address and file its annual return with company registrar and income tax authorities. Since most of the work in Singapore is computerized, it hardly takes 1 day to register a company in Singapore.

If you are a foreign entrepreneur, you must bear the following in mind as well. If you plan to relocate to Singapore to run your business, you must secure a relocation visa of type EntrePass(Entrepreneur Pass) or EmploymentPass. These two types of visas do not come under any quota system however they are subject to the applicant satisfying the necessary qualification criteria. Each application is reviewed and approved by authorities based on its own merits. Once your relocation visa is approved, your spouse and children can also relocate to Singapore on Dependant Passes and you are eligible to apply for permanent residence in due course.

Overall, setting up a business in Singapore is quite easy and simple. The country has consistently been ranked highly in international business surveys and reports. Just last year, Singapore was named the city with the highest ease of doing business ranking, highest quality of life ranking in Asia for expatriates, most competitive economy and most efficient bureaucracy by institutions such as the World Bank, ECA International, Gallup and World Economic Forum. To become a part of this growing and dynamic environment, consider setting up your business in Singapore.

Ina Jasni works for Janus Corporate Solutions - a leading Singapore-based firm that offers full-range of cost-effective Singapore company registration, relocation visa, accounting and ongoing compliance services to businesses worldwide. For additional information on the topics discussed here, you can visit Janus’s website

Can Entrepreneurship really be taught at B – Schools?

Can Entrepreneurship really be taught at B – Schools?

Entrepreneurship has been the most abused word around according to me. Each and everyone seemingly want to start their own venture. Each and everyone think making business plans is as easy as writing a mail. Each and everyone think that getting the funds for the same will be pretty easy. Each and everyone want to be his / her own boss.

But is it really so easy? Is entrepreneurship just about starting new businesses? What kind of people become entrepreneurs? How does one make the right business plans? Which kinds of industries and sectors one can enter? How does one get the right ideas and opportunities? How does one achieve successful execution? There are some of the hundreds or thousands of questions which one has to consider before getting a business plan ready for a VC.

But then can one really be taught entrepreneurship? Does it have any theories or rules which one has to follow? Are there any textbooks for the same? According to me, the simple answer to all these questions is a big NO! There is no school or college or university in this world which can really teach you the way to start a business.

A person who wants to start a business may search for an idea by brainstorming with his friends, getting information from newspapers, searching for new ideas based on current products which are there etc. Has he learnt any theory for that? NO! Currently there are entrepreneurship cells across various b–schools in this country, entrepreneurship is being taught as a subject, business plans are being organized and there are also programs, But are these generating entrepreneurs at organizations?

n an entrepreneurship class a student is taught what are ideas and opportunities. He / She is taught about business models for various companies. Then there are also assignments of various kinds on business plans, case studies on various entrepreneurs and their stories etc. etc. But has a person really learnt to start a business from this? Has he / she gained the confidence in his idea from the same? Has he / she taken this subject just so that he has nothing else to study? Is the aim of the subject to encourage people to start businesses or just give some gyaan? Your guess is as good as mine.

And this is the reason, I personally don’t seem to understand the role of an entrepreneurship subject at a B–School. One can’t start developing ideas or business plans just by learning some theory regarding the same. And this is the reason I wonder what do entrepreneurship institutes and programs teach us in this country.

What is needed is to build a culture wherein more and more people are encouraged to start businesses. Already top colleges like IIMs, ISB etc. have allowed students will to opt out of placement and start their own jobs, placement opportunities in the ensuing years in case their businesses fail. Having entrepreneurship cells at colleges would help if they have business plans organized and supported by VCs rather than ones which are known to give big prizes and forget everything else.

In a country where the number of small and medium scale businesses grows faster than one can snap his / her fingers, entrepreneurs do have a chance to enter. But unless a culture of entrepreneurship can be built in this country, no one would want to enter the tough and risky world of entrepreneurship.

And till the time we keep teaching ideas, opportunities, business models and such theories at b – schools, no one would be really interested. All they would do is by heart the theory and vomit in the exam.

Interestingly, a famous person has said that an MBA going on to becoming entrepreneur can be the biggest disaster ever!

information of people and business

Providing Data Base Services

Getting delicate information on people and businesses that matter is easy now.

How would it feel if you could reach just anybody and everybody? Data Base Services makes it easier, by giving you direct email id and mobile numbers of those you have always wanted to connect with. Better than the local directories and yellow pages whose collection is limited to only addresses and phone numbers.

Scope

The scope of business covers wide spectrum like FMCG, Top Brokerage Companies, Recruiters, Financial Publications, Mutual Fund Companies, Banks, Bollywood, Production House, Marketing firms, World Email Directory, Credit Card Holders, etc. basically, almost all businesses thrive on contacts, so the more the better and what could be more easier than getting it ready made in CDs.

Offer

Accurate and relevant data (at least 80 per cent) with personal email ids and phone numbers and the price starts from 3,000, containing over 5 million business and 50 million consumer e-mail addresses and mobile numbers.

Minimum Investment

There is no minimum investment for this. But you may be required to invest in man power that would collect data, assemble and put it on CDS. You may even start from home. Amjad Sharif of Data Base Services started with 2 lakh initially that was his own money, and 2 staff, and today he have 12 staff in all. His idea is to reach new prospects and retain existing customers with e-mail & Mobile marketing campaigns with over 5 million business and  50 million consumer e-mail addresses and mobile numbers.

Retail point

Sold online and on order, and also in shops.

Tackling Competition

There is a lot of competition now so one has to really be different to stay in the business. So, how does one get the best deal? One must, before comparing the prices from other data provider compare the following:

1. No. of datas (Quantity)

2. Updated year (coz with year N year data becomes outdated)

3. Discount offered

4. Other facilities, like cash on delivery, direct deposit in bank etc.

Check points

A good solution provider will adhere to the practice of maintaining:

1. Accurate & relevant data

2. Updated data till recent date

3. Bulk mailing software for inbox delivery

Assembling Data

It is better to get the data from the office of the business/person. In some cases, from  Pr agencies( which may not come directly or easily). In case, it is on the net, check that it is updated before including it in your directory base.

Promotion strategy

1. Through sms, email and largely by word of mouth.

The idea seems interesting, if it does at all, then put everything in the right place as discussed above; so that you are raring to go.

Starting Business in India

Starting Business in India – Simplified step-by-step process

I thought it would be a great time to put across detailed procedure on how to Start Business in India, along with the duration it will take to start your own business in India, the costs involved, the paperwork involved and procedures for starting a company in India.

Please bear in my mind that these are standard procedures and are applicable in most cities in India, however, some in some cities there are some additional (or lack of) processes that you will have to find out.

Steps involved in starting business in India

Registration Requirements:

No:	Procedure	Time to complete:	Cost to complete:
1	Obtain director identification number (DIN) online from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal (National)	1 day	INR 100
2	Obtain digital signature certificate online from private agency authorized by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (National)	3 days	INR 1,500
3	Reserve the company name online with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) (National)	2 days	INR 500
4	Stamp the company documents at the State Treasury (State) or authorized bank (Private)	1 day	INR 1,300 (INR 200 for MOA + INR 1,000 for AOA for every INR 500,000 of share capital or part thereof + INR 100 for stamp paper for declaration Form 1)
5	Get the Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar of Companies, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (National)	5 days	INR 14,133 (see comments)
6	Make a seal (Private)	1 day	INR 350 (cost depends on the number of seals required and the time period for delivery)
7*	Obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) from an authorized franchise or agent appointed by the National Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL) or the Unit Trust of India (UTI) Investors Services Ltd., as outsourced by the Income Tax Department (National)	7 days	INR 67 (INR 60 application fee + 12.36% service tax + INR 5 for application form, if not downloaded)
8*	Obtain a Tax Account Number (TAN) for income taxes deducted at source from the Assessing Office in the Mumbai Income Tax Department	7 days	INR 57 (INR 50 application fee + 12.36% service tax)
9*	Register with the Office of Inspector, Shops, and Establishment Act (State/Municipal)	2 days	INR 6,500 (INR 2000 + 3 times registration fee for trade refuse charges)
10*	Register for Value-Added Tax (VAT) at the Commercial Tax Office (State)	12 days	INR 5,100 (registration fee INR 5000 + stamp duty INR 100)
11*	Register for Profession Tax at the Profession Tax Office (State)	2 days	No cost
12*	Register with Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (National)	12 days	No cost
13*	Register for medical insurance at the regional office of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (National)	9 days	No cost

* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.

[Source]

Detailed Steps and Explanation of procedure to start Business in India

Procedure 1: 

Obtain director identification number (DIN) online from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal (National)

Time to complete: 1 day

Cost to complete: INR 100

Procedure:The process to obtain the Director Identification Number (DIN) is as follows:

1. Obtain the provisional DIN by filing application Form DIN-1 online. This form is on theMinistry of Corporate Affairs 21st Century (MCA 21) portal. The provisional DIN is immediately issued. 

The application form must then be printed and signed and sent for approval to the ministry by courier along with proof of identity and (address): 

a. Identity proof (any of the following): Permanent Account Number card, driver’s license, passport, or voter card; 

b. Residence proof (any of the following): driver’s license, passport, voter card, telephone bill, ration card, electricity bill, bank statement; 

2. The concerned authority verifies all the documents and, upon approval, issues a permanent DIN. The process takes about 4 weeks.

Procedure 2: 

Obtain digital signature certificate online from private agency authorized by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (National)

Time to complete: 3 days
Cost to complete: INR 1,500
Procedure: To use the new electronic filing system under MCA 21, the applicant must obtain a Class-II Digital Signature Certificate. The digital signature certificate can be obtained from one of six private agencies authorized by MCA 21 such as Tata Consultancy Services. Company directors submit the prescribed application form along with proof of identity and address. Each agency has its own fee structure, ranging from INR 400 to INR 2650.

Procedure 3: 

Reserve the company name online with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) (National)

Time to complete: 2 days

Cost to complete: INR 500
Procedure: Company name approval must be done electronically. Under e-filing for name approval, the applicant can check the availability of the desired company name on theMCA 21 web site. 
The ROC in Mumbai has staff members working full time on name reservations (approximately 3 but more if the demand increases). A maximum of 6 suggested names may be submitted. They are then checked by ROC staff for any similarities with all other names in India. 
The MCA receives approximately 50-60 applications a day. After being cleared by the junior officer, the name requests are sent to the senior officer for approval. 
Once approved, the selected name appears on the website. Applicants need to keep consulting the website to confirm that one of their submitted names was approved. 
In practice, it takes 2 days for obtaining a clearance of the name if the proposed name is available and conforms to the naming standards established by the Company Act (1 day for submission of the name and 1 day for it to appear on the MCA website).

Procedure 4: 

Stamp the company documents at the State Treasury (State) or authorized bank (Private)

Time to complete: 1 day

Cost to complete: INR 1,300 (INR 200 for MOA + INR 1,000 for AOA for every INR 500,000 of share capital or part thereof + INR 100 for stamp paper for declaration Form 1)

Procedure: The request for stamping the incorporation documents should be accompanied by unsigned copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the payment receipt. 

The company must ensure that the copies submitted to the Superintendent of Stamps or to the authorized bank for stamping are unsigned and that no promoter or subscriber has written anything on it by hand. The Superintendent returns the copies, one of which is duly stamped, signed, and embossed, showing payment of the requisite stamp duty. The rate of stamp duty varies from state to state. 

According to Article 10 and Article 39 of the Indian Stamp Act (1899), the stamp duty payable on the Memorandum and Articles of Association for company incorporation in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is as follows: 

a. Articles of Association: INR 1000/- for every INR 500,000/- of share capital (or part thereof), subject to a maximum of INR 50,000,000; 

b. Memorandum of Association: INR 200; 

c. Form-1 (declaration of compliance): INR 100.

Once the memorandum and articles of association have been stamped, they must be signed and dated by the company promoters, including the company name and the description of its activities and purpose, father-"s name, address, occupation, and the number of shares subscribed. This information must be in the applicant’s handwriting and duly witnessed.

Procedure 5: 

Get the Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar of Companies, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (National)

Time to complete: 5 days

Cost to complete: INR 14,133 

Procedure: The following forms are required to be electronically filed on the website of the Ministry of Company Affairs: 

e-form 1; e-form 18; and e-form 32. 

Along with these documents, scanned copies of the consent of the initial directors, and also of the signed and stamped form of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, must be attached to Form 1.

The fees for registering a company can be paid online by credit card or in cash at certain authorized banks. One copy of the Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, Form 1, Form 32, Form 18 and the original name approval letter, consent of directors and stamped power of attorney must be physically submitted to the Registrar of Companies. The certificate of incorporation is sent automatically to the registered office of the company by registered or rush mail.

The registration fees paid to the Registrar are scaled according to the company’s authorized capital (as stated in its memorandum): 

a. INR 100,000 or less: INR 4,000. If the nominal share capital is over INR 100,000, additional fees based the amount of nominal capital apply to the base registration fee of INR 4,000: 

b. For every INR 10,000 of nominal share capital or part of INR 10,000 after the first INR 1,00,000, up to INR 500,000: INR 300; 

c. For every INR 10,000 of nominal share capital or part of INR 10,000 after the first INR 500,000, up to INR 5,000,000: INR 200; 

d. For every INR 10,000 of nominal share capital or part of INR 10,000 after the first INR 5,000,000, up to INR 1 10,000,000: INR 100; 

e. For every INR 10,000 of nominal share capital or part of INR 10,000 after the first INR 10,000,000: INR 50.

The payment of fees can be made: 

1. offline: one can upload all incorporation documents and generate the payment challan. Against this challan, the applicant must obtain a demand draft for filing fees amount in favour of -" the Pay and Accounts Office, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, New Delhi" and this demand draft is payable in Mumbai. The applicant must make the payment at specified branches of certain banks. It takes around one week for clearance of payment. Only after the clearance of payment does the ROC accept the documents for verification and approvals; 

2. online: the applicant makes the payment by credit card and the system accepts the documents immediately. Please note that in Mumbai, the ROC requests for pre-scrutiny of documents for any corrections, before they are uploaded. Once the documents have been uploaded, they can then be approved without any further correction. The online filing mechanism requires only one copy of scanned documents to be filed (including stamped MOA, AOA, and POA).

Schedule of Registrar filing fees for the articles and for the other forms (l, 18, and 32): a. INR 200 for a company with authorized share capital of more than INR 100,000 but less than INR 500,000; 

b. INR 300 for a company with nominal share capital of INR 500,000 or more but less than INR 2,500,000; 

c.INR 500 for a company with nominal share capital of INR 2,500,000 or more.

Procedure 6:  

Make a seal (Private)

Time to complete: 1 day

Cost to complete: INR 350 (cost depends on the number of seals required and the time period for delivery)
Procedure: Although making a company seal is not a legal requirement for the company to be incorporated, companies require a seal to issue share certificates and other documents. The cost depends on the number of words to be engraved, the number of seals required, and the time period for delivery. The cost can range from INR 300 to INR 500.

Procedure 7: 

Obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) from an authorized franchise or agent appointed by the National Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL) or the Unit Trust of India (UTI) Investors Services Ltd., as outsourced by the Income Tax Department (National)

Time to complete: 7 days

Cost to complete: INR 67 (INR 60 application fee + 12.36% service tax + INR 5 for application form, if not downloaded)
Procedure: Under the Income Tax Act, 1961, each person must quote his or her Permanent Account Number (PAN) for tax payment purposes and the Tax Account Number (TAN) for depositing tax deducted at source. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has instructed banks not to accept any form for tax payment (challan) without the PAN or TAN, as applicable. The PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number issued on a laminated card by an assessing officer of the Income Tax Department.
In order to improve PAN-related services, the Income Tax department (effective July 2003) outsourced their operations pertaining to allotment of PAN and issuance of PAN cards to UTI Investor Services Ltd, which was authorized to set up and manage IT PAN Service Centers in all cities where there is an Income Tax office. The National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) has also launched PAN operations effective June 2004, setting up TIN Facilitation Centers.
The PAN application is made through the above mentioned service centers using Form 49A, with a certified copy of the certificate of registration, issued by the Registrar of Companies, along with proof of company address and personal identity. A fee of INR 60 (plus applicable taxes) applies for processing the PAN application. IT PAN Service Centers or TIN Facilitation Centers will supply PAN application forms (Form 49A), assist the applicant in filling out the form, collect filled-out forms, and issue an acknowledgement slip. After obtaining PAN from the Income Tax department, UTIISL or NSDL as the case may be, will print the PAN card and deliver it to the applicant.
The application for PAN can also be made online but the documents still need to be physically dropped off for verification with the authorized agent. For more details see(www.incometaxindia.gov.in , www.utiisl.co.in , and www.tin.nsdl.co.in )

Procedure 8: 

Obtain a Tax Account Number (TAN) for income taxes deducted at source from the Assessing Office in the Mumbai Income Tax Department

Time to complete: 7 days

Cost to complete: INR 57 (INR 50 application fee + 12.36% service tax)
Comment: The Tax Account Number (TAN) is a 10-digit alphanumeric number required of anyone responsible for deducting or collecting tax. The provisions of Section 203A of the Income Tax Act require that all persons who deduct or collect tax at the source must apply for a TAN. The section also makes it mandatory for the TAN to be quoted in all tax-deducted-at-source (TDS) and tax-collected-at-source (TCS) returns, all TDS/TCS payment challans, and all TDS/TCS certificates issued.
Failure to apply for a TAN or to comply with any of the other provisions of the section is subject to a penalty of INR 10,000/- . The application for allotment of a TAN must be filed using Form 49B and submitted at any TIN Facilitation Center authorized to receive e-TDS returns.
Locations of TIN Facilitation Centres can be found at www.incometaxindia.gov.in andhttp://tin.nsdl.com The processing fee for both applications (a new TAN or a change request) is INR 50 (plus applicable taxes). After verification of application, the same is sent to the Income Tax Department and upon satisfaction the department issues the TAN to the applicant.
The national government levies the income tax. Since outsourcing, any authorized franchise or agent appointed by the National Securities Depository Services Limited (NSDL) can accept and process the TAN application. The application for a TAN can be made either online through the NSDL website (www.tin-nsdl.com) or offline.
Upon payment of the fee by credit card, the hard copy of the application must be physically filed with the NSDL.

Procedure 9: 

Register with the Office of Inspector, Shops, and Establishment Act (State/Municipal)

Time to complete: 2 days

Cost to complete: INR 6,500 (INR 2000 + 3 times registration fee for trade refuse charges)
Procedure: A statement containing the employer-"s and manager-"s names and the establishment’s name (if any), postal address, and category must be sent to the local shop inspector with the applicable fees.
According to Section 7 of the Bombay Shops and Establishments Act,-(1948), the establishment must be registered as follows: – Under Section 7(4), the employer must register the establishment in the prescribed manner within 30 days of the opening of the business. – Under Section 7(1), the establishment must submit to the local shop inspector Form A and the prescribed fees for registering the establishment. – Under Section 7(2), after Form A and the prescribed fees are received and the correctness of the statement on the form is satisfactorily audited, the certificate for the registration of the establishment is issued on Form D, according to the provisions of Rule 6 of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Rules of 1961.
Since the amendments in the Maharashtra Shops and Establishment (Amendment) Rules, 2003 dated 15th December 2003, the Schedule for fees for registration and renewal of registration (as per Rule 5) is as follows: 
a. 0 employees: INR 100; 
b. 1 to 5 employees: NR 300; 
c. 6 to 10 employees: INR 600; 
d. 11 to 20 employees: INR 1000; 
e. 21 to 50 employees: INR 2000; 
f. 51 to 100 employees: INR 3500; 
g. 101 or more employees: INR 4500.
Hence in the given case the registration fees would be INR 2000, as there are 50 employees In addition, an annual fee (three times the registration and renewal fees) is charged as trade refuse charges (TRC), under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act,-(1888).

Procedure 10: 

Register for Value-Added Tax (VAT) at the Commercial Tax Office (State)

Time to complete: 12 days

Cost to complete: INR 5,100 (registration fee INR 5000 + stamp duty INR 100)
Procedure: Beginning April 1, 2005, the sales tax was replaced by the VAT, which requires registration by filing Form 101. 
The authorized representative signing the application must be available at the Sales-Tax Office on the day of application verification. The applicant goes to the Sales-Tax Office and up to the registration counter. The clerk at the counter verifies that the applicant has all the required documents and gives the applicant a token (waiting number). After a short wait, the applicant-"s number is called and the applicant approaches the desk of a sales-tax officer.
There, all the information on Form 101 is manually entered into the system by the officer. Within 10 minutes, the system generates a Tax Identification Number (TIN) Thereafter, the company is considered fully registered to pay taxes. However, the applicant must wait between 10 and 15 days to receive the VAT registration certificate by mail.
In addition to Form 101, other accompanying documentation includes: 
1) Certified true copy of the memorandum and articles of association of the company;- 
2) Proof of permanent residential address. At least 2 of the following documents must be submitted: copy of passport, copy of driver’s license, copy of election photo identity card, copy of property card or latest receipt of property tax from the Municipal Corporation, copy of latest paid electricity bill in the name of the applicant;- 
3) Proof of place of business (for an owner, in the case of Doing Business): Proof of ownership of premises viz. copy of property card, ownership deed, agreement with the builder or any other relevant documents;- 
4) One recent passport-sized photograph of the applicant;- 
5) Copy of Income Tax Assessment Order with PAN or copy of PAN card;-
6) challan on Form No. 210 (original) showing payment of registration fee at INR 5000 (in case of voluntary RC) and INR 500 (in other cases).
The whole process will be put online by the spring of 2009. This means that rather than physically having to go to the office, companies will fill in all their details online for Form 101 and then go to the office only so that the Sales Tax Office can verify the above listed-documentation.

Procedure 11: 

Register for Profession Tax at the Profession Tax Office (State)

Time to complete: 2 days

Cost to complete: No cost
Procedure: According to section 5 of the Profession Tax Act, every employer (not being an officer of the government) is liable to taxation and shall obtain a certificate of registration from the prescribed authority. The company is required to apply to the registering authority using Form 1.
Depending on the nature of the business, the application should be supported with such documents as proof of address, details of company registration number under the Indian Companies Act (1956), details of the head office (if the company is a branch of company registered outside the state), company deed, certificates under any other act, and so forth.


Procedure 12: Register with Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (National)
Time to complete: 12 days
Cost to complete: No cost
Procedure: The Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act (1952) applies to an establishment, employing 20 or more persons and engaged in any of the 183 industries and classes of business establishments, throughout India excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The applicant fills in an application and is then allotted a social security number. The Provident Fund registration focuses on delinquent reporting, underreporting, or non-reporting of workforce size. Provident Fund registration is optional if the workforce size is not more than 20. The employer is required to provide necessary information to the concerned regional Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in the prescribed manner for allotment of Establishment Code Number. No separate registration is required for the employees.
Nevertheless, all eligible employees are required to become members of the Fund and individual account number is allotted by the employer in the prescribed manner. As per an internal circular, the code number is to be allotted within 3 days of submission, if the application is complete in all respects. However, in many cases applicants have received the intimation letter with the code number in 12 to 15 days. An online application facility is not provided so far.


Procedure 13: Register for medical insurance at the regional office of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (National)
Time to complete: 9 days
Cost to complete: No cost
Procedure: Registration is the process by which every employer/factory and every paid employee is identified for insurance purposes and their individual records are set up for them.
As per the Employees’ State Insurance (General), Form 01 must be submitted by the employer for registration. It takes 3 days to a week for the Employer Code Number to be issued. The-" "intimation letter""- containing the Code Number is mailed to the employer and that takes an additional couple of days.
The Employee-"s individual insurance is a separate process that is initiated upon the employer-"s registration. The employer is responsible for submitting the required declaration form and employees are responsible for providing correct information to the employer. The employee temporary cards (ESI Cards) are issued on the spot by the local offices in many places.
The temporary cards are valid for 13 weeks from the date of the employees’ appointment. It takes about 4 to 5 weeks to get a permanent ESI card.