Department and the Central GST Department with locals of Shopian and Kulgam District
On directions of the Hon’ble Finance Minister of the Government of India, the Income Tax and
Central GST Departments have started conducting outreach programmes, titled ‘Mulaqaat’ with
all the stakeholders of the J&K in all the 10 districts of Kashmir and 2 Districts of UT of Ladakh,
from 1st December 2021 to 7th December 2021. Similar outreach programmes are also being
organised in the Jammu Region.
On 1st Dec 2021, the officers of both the Departments conducted the outreach programme, titled
‘Mulaqaat’, in the Districts of Shopian & Kulgam.
In Shopian, the outreach programme, Mulaqaat, was conducted at the Mini Secretariat of the
district and in Kulgam the same was conducted at the Rest House Chawalgam with
representatives from the trade community, the local youth, fruit growers, small shopkeepers &
businessmen in large numbers. Feedback from the people was taken by the officers regarding
taxation issues and their aspirations from the Union Budget. Mr. Basharat and Mr. Muhammad
Abas, young traders from Shopian, & Mr. Mohd Iqbal Dhoobi, a local trader from Kulgam, raised
concerns about the complicated nature of the Income Tax and GST laws, they requested that
awareness and educational camps be held in their district extensively to educate the public
about the same. They insisted that the locals wanted to pay taxes but they needed guidance
with respect to the same to encourage voluntary compliance. While they appreciated the
technological advancements brought in both the departments and the transparency and
accountability associated with the same, the locals requested that such interactive sessions
continue with the jurisdictional officers in order to address their concerns more effectively.
Mr.Aijaz Ahmad of Kulgam highlighted the difficulties faced by the local traders in filing IT R
/GST returns due to frequent blockade of Internet in his district. He also requested that relief be
granted to the small traders of the districts with respect to penalty and interest charged for late
filing of return.
Regarding the Union Budget, the local youth of Shopian & Kulgam requested that beyond
horticulture (on which majority of the population depends) further opportunities of Employment
be generated, they further requested for increased road connectivity between the villages of
District Shopian & Kulgam, tapping of Tourism potential here, River channelling & Flood proofing
of river Ranbiara in Shopian and construction of mini hydro projects over the same. Mr. Reyaz,
a local shopkeeper from Shopian suggested that town beautification and basic facilities be
emphasised in their districts for the visiting tourists. The audience also appreciated that
amongst the various Central Government schemes, Ayushman Bharat had benefited the people
of J&K immensely. The locals expressed great happiness that the Hon’ble Finance Minister of
the Government of India had sent officers from the Income Tax Department and Central GST
Department to listen to their concerns and feedback. The officers noted down the detailed points
raised by the locals, collected feedback forms and promised to communicate the same to their
superiors.
The Income Tax Department in Srinagar is headed by the Principal Commissioner of Income
Tax, Shri M.P Singh. His officers, the Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Shri Rajiv Gubgotra &
Assisstant Commissioner of Income Tax, Smt. Abhishri conducted the functions at Kulgam and
Shopian districts, respectively, along with the officers of the Central GST Department. The
taxpayers of both the districts were also educated about the Taxpayers’ Charter of the Income
Tax Department which is attached with this document. Overall, it was a hightly constructive and
fruitful interactive session where the voices, thoughts and ideas of the locals from Shopian &
Kulgam District were heard and recorded.
