One-time reprieve for tax-evaders in Haryana

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 22

Ahead of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollout on July 1, the Haryana Cabinet today unveiled a one-time “bonanza” for tax-evaders who want to clear their outstanding dues. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Besides according its nod to the Haryana One-Time Settlement Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2017, the Cabinet approved recruitment of 1,500 special police officers (SPOs) on a contractual basis for a year to tide over the shortage of police personnel.

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“The settlement scheme has been launched with a view to minimise litigation, reduce the burden of defaulters and mop up dues under various Acts administered by the Excise and Taxation Department,” sources said.

A defaulting trader opting would have to pay full amount of tax levied or leviable under various Acts for the period up to March 31, 2017. He will get 90 per cent waiver on interest and 75 per cent on the penalty amount. In cases of suppression of tax or attempt to evade tax, one can get 50 per cent waiver of penalty. Traders can apply under the scheme on or before June 28, 2017.

The SPOs, meanwhile, would be engaged out of former constables of the disbanded Haryana State Industrial Security Forces (HSISF) and the Haryana Armed Police (HAP), whose selection was quashed.

Ex-constables aged 25 to 50 years, who were not removed or dismissed from service due to indiscipline, misconduct or medical unfitness, would be eligible to apply for the job. They would geta  monthly honorarium of Rs 14,000.

They would be selected through an interview by a board headed by the SP concerned, without any written examination or physical test. Those selected would be eligible to get casual leave as applicable to constables of the Haryana Police.

They would also be eligible for ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh in case of death while performing duty, Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh in case of permanent disability and Rs 1 lakh in case of severe injury.