National Desk, 30th March: In the wake of the income-tax department’s demand for a payment of Rs 1,823 crore in pending taxes, the Congress party disclosed that it received two additional notices “last night.”
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh revealed this development during a press briefing on Saturday, indicating a further escalation in the party’s tax-related predicament.
These latest notices come on the heels of fresh demands issued by the income-tax department on Friday, seeking a hefty sum from the Congress party.
The timing of these developments coincided with the Delhi High Court’s dismissal of the party’s appeals contesting tax reassessment proceedings, adding to the party’s legal and financial challenges.
The notices, related to the assessment years 2017-18 and 2020-21, include penalties and accrued interest, exacerbating the financial strain on the opposition stalwart.
Expressing dismay over the unfolding events, the Congress lambasted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging “tax terrorism” orchestrated to undermine and financially cripple the party ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.
In a bid to highlight what it perceives as double standards, the Congress pointed to a discrepancy in the treatment of violations, citing a penalty of Rs 14 lakh imposed on itself compared to silence from income tax authorities regarding a violation worth Rs 42 crore by the BJP. Additionally, the Congress alleged that violations by the ruling party resulted in a penalty of Rs 4,600 crore, further fueling accusations of bias.
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