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Punjab clears advance tax as BJP ministers object Chandigarh, October 21 Sources told The Tribune that at least two BJP ministers - Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi and Industries Minister Madan Mohan Mittal - today expressed their resentment against the imposition of advance tax during the meeting of the Punjab Council of Ministers held here today. The two ministers reportedly said the traders were up in arms against the payment of advance tax and the decision wouldn't go down well with them. Sources said one of the ministers also said being a business man himself, he could understand the anguish of the traders, and that it would also wean away the traders against the party. The minister said the traders and businessmen formed the BJP's major vote bank and turning them against the government could actually have a bearing on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Even during the last cabinet meeting on October 3, BJP Minister Madan Mohan Mittal had expressed his reservations
on imposition of advance tax. However, following the objections raised
by the two BJP ministers, deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal
chose to quell their fears, and explained that the imposition of advance
tax would only help in removing multiplicity of taxation. He also told
the ministers that the notification regarding the advance tax had not
been issued and the agenda before the Cabinet today was to simplify the
advance tax and make it more trader businessmen friendly. He said that
the government had succumbed to one of the major demands of the traders
on advance tax reversals. The Cabinet also approved that the Excise and
Taxation Commissioner would now have the power to exempt certain
assesses from paying advance tax, in case the assesee had large amount
due from the state Excise Department as VAT refund. on imposition of advance tax. However, following the objections raised by the two BJP ministers, deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal chose to quell their fears, and explained that the imposition of advance tax would only help in removing multiplicity of taxation. He also told the ministers that the notification regarding the advance tax had not been issued and the agenda before the Cabinet today was to simplify the advance tax and make it more trader businessmen friendly. He said that the government had succumbed to one of the major demands of the traders on advance tax reversals. The Cabinet also approved that the Excise and Taxation Commissioner would now have the power to exempt certain assesses from paying advance tax, in case the assesee had large amount due from the state Excise Department as VAT refund. BJP’s concern Traders and businessmen forms the party's major vote bank and imposition of advance tax will turn them against the party, which will have a bearing on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections SAD's defence The imposition of advance tax will help in removing multiplicity of taxation. The government has just simplified the advance tax regime and made it more businessmen friendly cabinet skips DA issue The issue of release of 8 per cent dearness allowance (DA) to the state government employees was not taken up by the cabinet. Though the government had assured the employees that the DA (due from January) will be released before Diwali, sources said the file was awaiting clearance by the Chief Minister.
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