Advocates call off strike

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 18

Sales tax advocates who were on strike for the past seven days finally called off their strike today after the intervention of Gurtez Singh, Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Punjab.

Members of the District Taxation Bar Association (Sales Tax) were on strike against SK Garg, in-charge of Ludhiana GST-I. The advocates were protesting against the high-headed attitude of the official.

The advocates had alleged that ever since Garg had joined the office a month ago, the working had come to a standstill.

“Many times, we have requested the official concerned to clear files, but to no avail. A meeting was also organised in the presence of DETC Pawan Garg but nothing concrete came out,” said Arun Kanwal, president of the District Taxation Bar Association (Sales Tax).

The advocates will resume work from tomorrow on the assurance of Gurtej Singh that work will be done smoothly within 10 days. “The Excise and Taxation Officers’ Association has also given a written apology letter to Bar regarding a statement given by a department official that advocates were protesting for getting their inappropriate works done,” said Kanwal.

The apology letter mentioned that there was no intention of alleging any Bar member’s integrity, but was said in the heat of the moment.