Congress treasurer claims Income Tax dept freezes party’s accounts
THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK New Delhi, Feb 16: Party treasurer Ajay Maken claimed on Friday that the Income Tax department had…
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THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Feb 16: Party treasurer Ajay Maken claimed on Friday that the Income Tax department had frozen the Congress’s four main bank accounts on ‘flimsy grounds.’
Maken stated at a press briefing that this development has impacted all political operations of the party. Later sources indicated that nine accounts had been frozen.
“Right now we don’t have any money to spend, to pay electricity bills, to pay salaries to our employees. Everything will be impacted, not only Nyay Yatra but all political activities will be impacted…” he stated.
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IT demands Rs 210 crore recovery
Maken stated that the accounts were frozen due to an Income Tax demand of Rs 210 crore for the year 2018-19, which notably was an election year.
“The accounts of the Congress party have also been seized. Income tax asked for Rs 210 crore recovery from Youth Congress and Congress party. The crowdfunding money in our accounts has been frozen. Just two weeks before elections, when the Opposition’s accounts are frozen, it is equivalent to freezing the democracy,” he stated.
“For the first time in the country’s history, accounts of the principal opposition party have been frozen by the tax authorities on flimsy grounds, barely two weeks before the announcement of general elections,” Maken stated
Appeal filed with IT appellate authority
He urged the judiciary to safeguard democracy, emphasizing its precarious state, and expressed concern that the nation is moving towards a one-party system.
Maken mentioned that the party has already lodged an appeal with the Income Tax appellate authority.
