Amritsar: Shifted out during Covid-19, tax return preparers use canteen as makeshift office

Neeraj Bagga

Amritsar, July 16

Income tax payers visiting the canteen area of the Aaykar Bhawan, which doubles up as makeshift office for the Tax Return Preparers (TRPs), are irked at its appalling condition. Situated in the prime area of the city, the Aaykar Bhawan serves as a centre for finding solutions to tax troubles of returnees.

They are irked at the authorities for not providing decent space at the local office to facilitate the TRPs. They are made to sit in a makeshift space which serves as a canteen area, in the backyard of the Aaykar Bhawan. Income tax payers find it inconveniencing to file their returns from the makeshift location. Filing returns in the open means being at the mercy of the elements. The peak time for filing IT returns is in July which coincides with the rainy season. Since the canteen area is built at a lower height than the rest of the structure, rainwater tends to accumulate, making it difficult for them to work.

Surjit Singh Buttar, a retired DSP from the Punjab Police, said there was neither any provision for cold drinking water nor washrooms in the canteen area, adding that ceiling fans had been installed under a tin roof which only added to the impact of hot and humid weather. Buttar said that even a decent route to the backyard is not there.

There are some chairs available but they are used by the canteen operator and his customers. At times, taxpayers and canteen operators vie with each other for a chair.

Notably, there are only two Tax Return Preparers (TRPs) who earn their living by filing tax returns. In a communique to the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-I (Estate Officer), they stated that they have been working here for the past 17 years and their office used to be situated in the Aaykar Seva Kendra. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, they were shifted to an area outside to avoid dealing with the public inside the premises. Ever since, they have been sitting in the canteen area and providing services to the taxpayers. Since the Covid-19 threat is no longer there, they requested the officials to allow them to shift back to the Aaykar Seva Kendra.

“The canteen gets crowded during lunch time making it difficult for the taxpayers to work as most chairs are occupied. Tables provided to them for work by the department are used by the canteen operators to serve meals. Before starting work, they have to clean the tables every morning. A large number of taxpayers, including professionals like doctors, government officials and senior citizens, visit to get their returns filed.

When contacted, Meera Nagpal, Income Tax Officer, said there was no move to shift the TRPs inside. She said water coolers dispensing cold water were available inside the building and the taxpayers could use them in case of need. She added that the department would look into their other demands.