Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Mar 16: The new office of additional commissioner of income tax central range at Albuquerque House, Pandeshwar here was inaugurated by the director general of income tax (INV), Karnataka and Goa B R Balakrishna on Friday, March 16.
Addressing the gathering, B R Balakrishna said, "Am extremely happy to be part of this event. Our work which is regulatory, intends to put fear of law among the people. On the other hand we should also celebrate our achievements to maintain balance. This is a landmark event. The officers in Mangaluru are exemplary and are extremely impressed by the caliber and commitment of the higher officers.”
Principal commissioner of income tax (central) Bengaluru, Anuja Sarangi said, “Though this office was inaugurated in 2014, it was held as additional charge and was functioning from Bengaluru. The central range in Mangaluru consists of four central circles - two out of them are based out of Mangaluru, one in Hassan and another in Mysuru. The jurisdiction which covers the central range includes 8 districts of Karnataka - Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga, Mysuru and Madikeri.
"Earlier before the creation of central range, the two circles of Mangaluru were attached to Panaji, Mysuru and Hassan was being manned through Bengaluru office. Even though this office was created in 2014, we did not have full-fledged office till 2017. We started looking out for alternative premises and we are fortunate to get a rented premise in Albuquerque House and we are also grateful to the landlord Felix Albuquerque.”
Principal commissioner of income tax Narottam Mishra said, “It is our privilege to be here at this beautiful premise. We were in need of such office since we work as long as 24 hours. Once the election is announced, our teams will work with close coordination with the district administration to check misuse of money during the election process. We were looking for alternative premises and we could not get a land from the district administration and we had to get rented premises.”
After the programme B R Balakrishna said, “As assembly election is nearing, the teams will be set up. General direction will be given to find any cash being found during the election process. We have proposed to have a dedicated team where will have a statutory process. We urge general public to provide information using dedicated lines and emails so that it helps us in taking action. Sometimes the political parties use it against their opponents to give false information to mislead us and we need to be more alert in this case.”
He further said, “The income tax department has stepped up action under the prohibition of the benami property act and has attached properties Rs 500 crore in Karnataka and Goa since 2016 end.”
Commissioner of income tax (appeals) Dr S Shakir Hussain, additional commissioner of income tax central range K A Chandrashekar and others were also present on the occasion.