Govt Goes Online to Discuss Anti-Tax Evasion Law

Following the differences between experts and the opposition regarding the government’s decision of making tax evasion a criminal offence, the finance ministry will be launching a portal to seek suggestions on the issue. Once the website to handle these suggestions is launched on Tuesday by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the email id, blackmoney@nic.in will also be formally announced.
The suggestion of making tax evasion a criminal offence was made by the committee headed by the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. It invited immediate opposition. The finance ministry will now be receiving opinions of all the stakeholders. According to a senior ministry official, every opinion voiced on the portal will be taken into consideration before arriving at a final decision.
Former Finance Minister and opposition leader, Yashwant Sinha said that the government is “trying to overdo things”. The high-level committee is finding out ways to efficiently deal with the illegal methods of generating back money. Constituted by the chiefs of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and other officials, the committee is reviewing the existing administrative and legal framework.