Sikkim: Chief Secretary addresses concern over IT return

Gangtok, 30 May, 2012:

In reference to the press release in Gangtok on May 09, 2012 regarding the issue of Income Tax Exemption Certificates from Siliguri, the matter has been immediately taken up by the State Government. On 28th of May 2012, a meeting was convened by the Chief Secretary in his chamber which was attended by Commissioner, IT, Siliguri CL Denzongpa, Assistant Commissioner, IT, (TDS) Siliguri DN Bhutia, and Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Gangtok Circle LD Lepcha. The meeting convened by the Chief Secretary was to address the issue that was reflected in the local news papers, so as to assuage the apprehensions of the people accordingly.

In the meeting, the Chief Secretary in no uncertain terms, very strongly advocated the fact that an Income Tax Office located in Gangtok, was for all practical purposes to aid and assist the people of Sikkim in filling their returns, etc. With the view of shifting the issue of Income Tax Exemption Certificate to Siliguri was strongly objected to by the Chief Secretary, who even questioned the logic of having a full-fledged IT Office located in Gangtok. It was very clearly known to the delegation of IT officials that they should re-look at the whole issue and make full use of the IT office in Gangtok and continue with the process of IT Exemption Certificates being issued from Gangtok instead of Siliguri. This would not only cause inconvenience to the people of Sikkim, but would also justify the logic of having an IT office located in Gangtok. The Chief Secretary also informed the IT officials, that either an officer be posted at Gangtok or the Assistant Commissioner of IT, Gangtok Circle be delegated with the powers for issuing such IT Exemption Certificates. The matter is now being taken up with the Commissioner, IT (TDS), Kolkata by the Commissioner, IT, Siliguri under whose jurisdiction the matter falls, and would be sorted out in due course of time.

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