Jalandhar: Need no new tax wing, but relief: Industrialists

Tribune News Service

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Jalandhar, June 29

Already reeling under several problems resulting from Covid pandemic and negative headwinds in the global market, the state industry has taken exception to several new announcements made in the Budget.

Govt resorting to Pressure tactics

The wing that Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema mentioned in the Budget will be called Tax Intelligence Unit. It will be like a sword hanging on our head all the time. Vijay Dhir, Convener, Khel Udyog Sangh

No discussions held

Before coming to the power, the Aam Aadmi Party had said the policies would be made only after holding discussions with traders and industrialists, but those were mere talks. Parveen Anand, Co-convener, Khel Udyog Sangh

Industrialists under the banner “Khel Udyog Sangh” held a meeting today in the city and expressed their anger against the state government for announcing the creation of new wings in the name of stopping tax evasion in the state.

The wing that Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema mentioned in the Budget will be called Tax Intelligence Unit. “It will be like a sword hanging on us all the time,” said Vijay Dhir, convener, Khel Udyog Sangh.

Co-convener Parveen Anand said before coming to the power, the Aam Aadmi Party had said the policies would be made only after holding discussions with traders and industrialists, but those were mere talks.

“Another promise of freeing us from prevalent ‘afsar shahi’ was also made,” he said. Although the minister did mention briefly during his Budget speech that steps would be taken so that the problem of ‘afsar shahi’ could be resolved, industrialists said such a serious issue needed an explanation on how it would be done, he added.

“How would they end ‘afsar shahi’ when already after the formation of the AAP government in the state, GST department officials have become more active and have been conducting surprise checks of the units?” Members said. “Such moves come under harassment, and now the formation of another wing will only increase our problems,” the co-convener added.

Sangh member Ravinder Dhir also said the pandemic had already slowed down the work. “In such conditions, the government must give us some relief in spite of pressuring us by forming new wings. We expect some mercy from the government on us,” he said.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

#harpal cheema