Centre Aims To Broaden Tax Net: J D Seelam

The Federation Of Andhra Pradesh Chambers Of Commerce And Industry (FAPCCI) organized an interactive meeting of trade and industry delegates with Union Minister of State for Finance (Revenue) J D Seelam at Federation House, on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, Seelam said, "We are not in ordinary economic situation. Our focus now is to make tax collection a pleasant job, and to promote voluntary compliance. Customs and Excise departments, and the Income Tax department, should no more be regulatory bodies, but should act as facilitators for the industry."

Seelam requested people from industries to assist the government of India in the process of development. He stressed on the role of social sector schemes in raising living standards, thereby creating a cohesive society. "The government is bringing so many reforms and the reforms must go on," he said.

He also pointed out that 14 crore people have taken PAN cards, but only 3.5 crore of them pay tax. "We need to broaden the tax base by bringing another 2-3 crore people to the tax net, however small that amount may be. Adding 2-3 thousand rupees per person per year will ease the tax burden from the existing taxpayers by evenly distributing it over more people," he said.

Suresh Jandhyala (Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-I), BB Prasad (Chief Commissioner, Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax, Hyderabad Zone), Srinivas Ayyadevara (president, FAPCCI), Shiv Kumar Rungta (Senior Vice President, FAPCCI) and others were present in the meeting.

FAPCCI works with the commissionerates of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax and Income Tax to promote and educate industrialists and traders about the several initiatives taken by the government. It conducts such awareness programs and interactive sessions at various places in Andhra Pradesh. (INN)