I-T dept playing a vital role in nation’s progress: GITAM VC

Visakhapatnam: MS Prasada Rao, Vice-Chancellor, GITAM University, said that income tax is the one of the prime revenue resources of the country. Every revenue earner should pay the taxes to the department which leads to the development of the country. Addressing the Income Tax Day celebrations here on Tuesday, Prasada Rao appreciated the department which is playing a vital role in building the nation.

Chitta Ranjan Pati, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, said that the Visakhapatnam region had collected Rs. 7,181 crore in the previous fiscal. 
There is a growth rate of more than 25.2 per cent as against the all India growth rate of 18.4 per cent. The growth rate is one of the highest among all regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State, he added.

On the occasion, BG Reddy, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-1, said that the department has conducted out-reach programmes in all the stations of this region, including Rajahamahendravaram, Tuni, Anakapalle, Kakinada, Srikakulam, Eluru and urged the assesses to file returns of income and duly pay the taxes. Within one year, 1.52 lakh new assesses were added in this region taking the total assesses to 7.16 lakh, he added.

Ch Omkareshwar, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-2, said that the department is using new software to find out tax evaders in tune with the policy of government of non-intrusion. 

More than 500 grievances of assesses were properly redressed within the timelines set by Citizen Charter. All the refunds claimed by assesses were given within two to three months, compared to the earlier waiting period of six to seven months.

The scrutiny assessments are taken up scientifically using the CASS, so that there is no scope for discrimination, he added. Chartered accountants, taxpayers, representatives of chamber of commerce, and other departmental officers were present.