The Uttarakhand chief commissioner of income tax (CCIT), Pramod Kumar Gupta said that in his new role as the chief commissioner of income tax (Exemption) in the national capital, he will also keep an eye on the various Trusts and such bodies functioning in Dehradun and elsewhere in Uttarakhand. Gupta said this while interacting with the media before moving on to his new posting in Delhi.
Addressing the media persons, Gupta said that Trusts are a major front through which black money is routed globally. Stating that there is a need for keeping a sharp eye on trusts, he said that the post of CCIT (Exemption) is of considerable importance when it comes to States like Uttarakhand. He said, “There are total 92 chief commissioners of income tax in India and of these only the CCIT (Exemption) has all-India jurisdiction. After joining my new post in Delhi, I will also keep an eye on the trusts in Uttarakhand. Dehradun is known to be a hub of education and such prominent schools are run by trusts.”
Regarding the national highway 74 land compensation scam, he said that at present the State Government was investigating into the corruption angle in the case. “We have been communicating with the superintendent of police (Vigilance) and were told that at present the officials suspected of involvement in the scam are being investigated.
When the investigators secure concrete evidence, they will pass it on to us in about three months so that we may do the needful if required under the Income Tax Act,” he said.
Referring to the activities of the department during his one year tenure in the State, Gupta said that the main focus of the department is to increase tax base and revenue.
As on August 31 last year the tax collected was Rs 1752.70 crore which had increased to Rs 2497.90 crore as on August 31 this year, registering an increase of about 42 per cent. Similarly, income tax assessees in the State were 517940 on March 31, 2017 with the number increasing to 768213 as on March 31, 2018, registering an increase of about 48 per cent.
Additionally, with tax payers being encouraged to file e-returns, the e-filed returns which were 67,313 as on July 31, 2017 increased to 3,14,718 as on July 31, 2018, registering an increase of about 367 per cent.