| Opposition alleges lack of will, nexus, discrimination; stages walk out from LA | | In a bid to cover up Tax defaulters, Govt stands woefully exposed | | Abodh Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 4: Maiming its own intent and credibility, the State Government once again attempted to cover up the individuals and firms who have defaulted in clearing their tax liabilities, arguing that the cases against them were sub judice even as many such defaulter firms had gone untraceable.
This is not the first time the Government has tried to conceal the names of the defaulters as NPP MLA Harsh Dev Singh has asked this question to the Government several times before in the State Legislative Assembly and the Government has consistently filed the same reply that the names of defaulters cannot be disclosed as the cases against them are sub judice.
While the Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather in the written reply mentioned that the rules of business and conduct of the Legislative Assembly did not allow revealing the names of defaulters, those in the opposition argue that the Government has been trying to protect certain noted businessmen of the state from public shame as some of them are eminent politicians as well.
"When it suits their political convenience, they never think twice in flouting the rules whether inside or outside the House, but by hiding behind the argument of sub judice cases year after year, the Government itself stands exposed" said a legislator of the ruling coalition pleading anonymity.
It is pertinent to mention here that the question was barely taken up amidst din during question hour on the last day of the budget session today and even while it was listed for a previous sitting, it was deleted and the member was told that the Finance Minister himself wanted to respond to the question at a later day.
Though the Government managed to conceal the names of the defaulters, it could not hold back information that later prompted a walkout by the Jammu opposition parties, alleging discrimination against Jammu region. According to the information provided by the Government, Jammu had in general paid over 76 percent more taxes than Kashmir during financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13, even though according to the Government census, Kashmir division has a population of over 11 lakhs more than Jammu region.
As per Government figures, in 2011-12, Jammu paid Rs 76,175 lakhs as Excise Tax against a meager Rs 5179 lakhs by Kashmir division and in 2012-13, Jammu paid Rs 85,887 lakhs against Rs 5683 lakhs by Kashmir division. Similarly, under Commercial Taxes component, in 2011-12, Jammu division paid Rs 2,42,652 lakhs against Rs 1,12,027 lakhs paid by Kashmir and in 2012-13, Jammu paid Rs 3,07,048 lakhs as against Rs 1,27,812 paid by Kashmir division.
Alleging discrimination against Jammu division, nexus between Government machinery and the defaulters and lack of administrative will on part of the Government to realize legitimate taxes from the people in Kashmir, the entire Jammu opposition staged a walkout. |
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