Income tax raids on Punjab arhtiyas

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 19

Amid the ongoing farmers’ stir against the three farm laws, the Income Tax Department has reportedly conducted raids on the premises of several arhtiyas (commission agents) in Punjab over the last 48 hours.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh castigated the Centre for allegedly adopting intimidatory tactics against arhtiyas. Terming the raids as a pressure tactic to curb arhtiyas’ democratic rights and freedom, he said such oppressive actions would backfire against the BJP.

Arhtiyas claimed the premises of their five union leaders were raided in Patiala, Nawanshahr and Ferozepur districts. In Patiala district, raids were conducted at Bhunerheri, Samana and Rajpura.

Premises belonging to Punjab Arhtiyas Association president Vijay Kalra, Samana Mandi unit chief Pawan Kumar Goyal, Patiala unit chief Jaswinder Singh Rana, Nawanshahr unit chief Manjinder Singh Walia, Rajpura unit chief Hardeep Singh Ladda and Rajpura arhtiyas Kartar Singh and Amrik Singh were raided by Income Tax Department officials. Fourteen arhtiyas have received income tax notices across the state so far. The arhtiyas have announced to shut grain markets across the state for an indefinite period.

Ravinder Singh Cheema, president of the Arhtiyas Association, Punjab, said the raids were aimed at silencing arhtiyas’ voice against farm laws and to create fear.

“The Centre is targeting arhtiyas who support protesting farmers. However, we will continue our support the farmers,” he said.

Jaswinder Singh Rana, Patiala district president of the association, said he got an Income Tax notice a few days ago. He had already appeared before taxmen in Patiala and agreed to submit the required documents on the next date of a hearing, he said. “Income tax officials, accompanied by CRPF personnel, raided my house on Thursday night. The search continued till Friday night,” he added.

Association’s vice-president Harjeet Singh said, “The raids were conducted against those who supported farmers financially.”

Dr Darshan Pal, state president of the Krantikari Kisan Union, said they would gherao income tax offices across the state, if the raids on arhtiyas did not stop.

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