By Preetam BC
Kokrajhar: A one-day media workshop: Vartalap on various government policies and schemes including income tax related matter was organized by Press Information Bureau, Guwahati in association with BTC Administration at Bodoland Guest House in Kokrajhar today.
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) executive member Doneswar Goyary attended the workshop as the chief guest and lighted the inaugural lamp. In his speech Goyary appreciated the efforts of Press Information Bureau and BTC administration in organizing sensitization workshop for journalists. He said that the success of any scheme or policy of the government depends upon proper dissemination of information to the masses. He opined that more such workshops can be organized in BTC region to make the general masses aware of the government schemes through the help of the media people.
Attending the workshop, Director General, NE Zone, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia spoke on various government policies and schemes. Dhatwali said that his ministry is constantly in the effort to make the general masses aware of the government schemes, policies and programme through its various departments. Stating that proper dissemination of information among the people is the essential for any scheme of the government to be successful, he said a well informed press also helps to clarify doubts among the masses regarding government policies.
During the technical session, Anil Bhardwaj, Addl. Commissioner, Income Tax, Guwahati gave a detailed presentation on the the issues related to section 10(26) of Income-tax Act with reference to Tribal areas and issues relating to Direct and Indirect Taxations including TDS. He also highlighted on various new provisions prohibiting certain types of transactions, particularly cash transactions, which attract stiff penalties.
The senior Income Tax official also said that ‘The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016’ imposes obligations on taxpayers and others not to indulge in certain types of transactions or to report such transactions.
This workshop seeks to spread awareness about such laws and prohibitions and obligations there under, he said adding “This is for the first time that such dedicated campaign has been launched in NER for the benefit of the tax payers in the Region.
Dr J. Ahmed, Joint Director of Health Services, Kokrajhar and Sanjay Sen, Assistant Director, Agriculture Department, BTC gave a detailed presentation of their respective departments, where they highlighted the state and central sponsored welfare schemes that are being run by the government for the benefit of the masses.
The workshop was also attended by journalists from across the district of Kokrajhar, BTC Additional Principal Secretary Jolly Das Brahma, Secretary Bhabani Prasad Sarma, officials of the Income Tax Department of Guwahati and Bongaigaon, officials of Press Information Bureau, Guwahati, DPM Kokrajhar Uttam Brahma, and officials of the BTC Secretariat and other district level state government officials.
The technical session was followed by an interactive session.
