Traders for ‘humanitarian approach’ during tax collection

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 23

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) today urged the government to adopt a ‘humanitarian approach’ during tax collection from traders.

“The Department of Commercial Taxes is requested to kindly adopt a practical and humanitarian approach otherwise the KCC&I fears that many establishments would be facing closure due to the unwarranted harassment,” KCC&I secretary general Faiz Bakshi said.

He said the KCC&I was receiving ‘disturbing reports from the business fraternity regarding harassment by various departments of the state government’. “Revenue collection at the closing of the financial year’ seems to be a bigger priority than the fragile condition of the state’s business community who are reeling under losses since the September 2014 floods followed by the consequent economic slowdown to the crippling unrest in 2016,” Bakshi said.

“Now, when various sectors of the economy needed support and encouragement from the state, the government has embarked on a revenue-collection spree combined with issuance of notices for inspection and examination of documents, even seeking details about 2014, when the economy faced its worst-ever natural disaster,” he added.