Vartalap organized in Shillong Press Club

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Shillong, on Wednesday organized a one-day workshop for journalists – Vartalap – at Shillong Club in association with Shillong Press Club.

Chief Commissioner, Income Tax, Shillong, Ronmoy Das attended the workshop as the chief guest where journalists from across the district participated.

Das while appreciating the efforts of PIB and Shillong Press Club in organizing the sensitization workshops for journalists said the success of any scheme or policy of the government depends upon proper dissemination of information to the masses.

In his address he also referred to the ongoing dedicated publicity campaign of the Income Tax Department, North East Region (NER) regarding income tax obligations of people in the region.

He said that there is a general impression that all incomes of tribal persons/non-individuals such as partnerships, LLPs, companies are exempted.

“In fact, it is only the income earned in the scheduled area by such tribal persons, which is exempted. Incomes of all entities other than individuals, and incomes of tribal persons outside scheduled areas, are subject to Income Tax,” Das said.

Allantry F Dkhar, political adviser to the Chief Minister, lauded the efforts of PIB in holding such workshops to make people aware of the policies and schemes of the government.

Dkhar added that this kind of initiative will help in clearing the apprehensions of the tribal people regarding income tax.

Dr Engame Pame, Director, ROB, Shillong, hinting upon the importance of well directed communication, said proper dissemination of information among the people is essential for any scheme of the government to be successful.

Pame added that a well informed press also helps to clarify doubts among the masses regarding government policies.

During the technical session, Anil Bhardwaj, Additional Commissioner, Income Tax, gave a detailed presentation on the peculiar issues relating to Direct Taxation and on the issues related to section 10(26) of Income-tax Act with reference to Tribal areas.

Bhardwaj also highlighted various new provisions prohibiting certain types of transactions, particularly cash transactions, which attract stiff penalties.

“Since northeast has low banking coverage, people may inadvertently enter into the prohibited transactions and thus become exposed to penal provisions,” he said.

He said, “The awareness campaign, and this workshop in particular will help the people understand and avoid such prohibited transactions”.

He also added that the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 imposes obligations on taxpayers and others not to indulge in certain types of transactions or to report such transactions.

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