Hardly suprising since the vast majority of Kashmir’s reject Indian rule.
Taxmen don’t want a posting in Kashmir
If there is one place in the country where income tax officials don’t want to be posted, it is Kashmir. And this is for the simple reason that nobody here, especially in the Valley, wants to pay up. A look at the tax collections of 2003-04 reveals the whole picture: A measly Rs 78.56 crore. “Keeping in mind the economy, it should actually touch Rs 300 crore, that too comfortably,” said an I-T official. “But that’s never the case.” More problematic for the department is the fact that since the last two years there has been a sharp downward trend in what has never been a bright spot for the I-T department.
The January 7 attack by terrorists this year at the I-T office in Srinagar worsened matters. An important reason for paltry collections is propaganda by Hurriyat leaders and even mainstream parties who preach that it is “un-Islamic” to pay taxes. Or that in Kashmir, because of the political turmoil, the government has no business asking citizens here to shell out cash. Those gaining from this are obviously the political leaders, separatists and otherwise. Income tax raids by a team from Delhi in 2002 recovered Rs 15 lakh in cash, $20,000 and five vehicles from the Peer Bagh residence of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a staunch separatist leader. There are cases pending against Hurriyat leaders like the slain Abdul Gani Lone and Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq. It is no surprise that a Hurriyat leader has purchased property at Karan Nagar in Srinagar from a US-based Kashmiri Pandit at a whopping Rs 1.50 crore. This dislike for paying taxes is both routine and endemic. Dozens of I-T officials from Punjab and Delhi were manhandled by supporters of former chief minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in the early 1980s. The J&K CM had then publicly denounced the I-T raids and described it as interference in states affairs. On the I-T list was a relative of his.
Interestingly, drawing and disbursing officers (DDO) in various state government departments, including Jammu and Kashmir police, let employees skip tax in exchange for a small bribe. Senior police officers say this is quite rampant. Trying to instill a sense of responsibility in people, I-T additional commissioner Farhat Qureshi has begun organising seminars and debates in Srinagar, but the results are yet to trickle in. “It is an uphill task even to get a rented accommodation to run the office,” Qureshi said. Terming the situation “alarming”, chief I-T commissioner Saroj Bala, who is based in Amritsar, said, “There is a downward trend in tax-collection in the Kashmir Valley. We collected Rs 100.07 crore in 2002-2003 but it fell to Rs 78.56 crore in 2003-2004.” In fact, people here are blase about it. President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries Rouf Ahmad Punjabi said the negative trend is due to a slump in business all over the country. “Kashmir Valley should be declared a tax-holiday zone,” he announced.
Re: Kashmiri’s refuse to pay taxes to Indian state
Silly, it might help to read the articles you post.The reason for non payment is some ridiculous Islamic belief & the fear of terrorists amongst others.
Funny how you guys conveniently twist facts to suit your views
Re: Kashmiri's refuse to pay taxes to Indian state
If there is one place in the country where income tax officials don't want to be posted, it is Kashmir. And this is for the simple reason that nobody here, especially in the Valley, wants to pay up.
Re: Kashmiri's refuse to pay taxes to Indian state
It mentions a few reasons/excuses, including blaming corrupt Indian officials, but overall it is apparent that India seems to hold little sway over the Kashmiri people.
Re: Kashmiri's refuse to pay taxes to Indian state
do the people of asmam pay tax? it's difficult for indian loksabha to function without bribes. :( poor people should pay taxes, otherwise hindustani leaders wont be able to buy new dhooties. now if they dont have dhooties, how are they going to leave their homes :(
