TAX NEWS - JUNE 2010

India Tax: Excise staff flayed for 'unnecessary delay' in processing applications

by Raakhi Jagga, 03 June 2010 -- More than 2,000 applications from Ludhiana alone, pertaining only to change in name, address or the name of the proprieter of a company, are lying pending with the Excise and Taxation Department. The authorities have also not made the necessary amendments in the VAT Act for more than two years, complained members of the District Taxation Bar Association in a meeting held on Wednesday.

Arun Kanwar, president of the body, said, "Due to this huge backlog, people find it difficult to deal with banks and even when goods come at the sale tax barrier." Varinder Kumar, another advocate, said, "A huge pile of refunds is at the Excise office. Refunds amounting to less than Rs one lakh, which are in the purview of the Excise and Taxation officers, are also not being granted.

To grant a new sale tax number, the authorities are now asking for a picture of the premises, which is not a requirement of the Sale Tax Act."The new team of the District Taxation Bar Association had come to meet Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner Parampal Singh, but he was busy. So, a memorandum was submitted in his office. Tomorrow, the delegation will again try to meet him.