New Delhi: The Communist Party of India on Saturday
opposed the government`s reported plan to announce an immunity
scheme for tax evaders who have stashed away black money by
charging them up to 45 per cent tax.
"I am writing this letter regarding the proposal from the
Finance Ministry to announce immunity to all tax evaders, who
have stashed away black money in India and abroad and allow
them to pay tax plus penalty amounting to 45 per cent or so,"
CPI Deputy General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said in a letter
to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Reddy said that about 15 days ago, the Finance Minister
had hinted at such a proposal and asked the Central Board
of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to work out the details.
"This proposal is nothing but allowing black money holders
to convert the same into white money by paying some penalty.
Now the CBDT, it is understood, has worked out the details.
This is a betrayal of the nation," he added.
Reports have appeared that in the Union Budget, Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee may announce such an immunity scheme
for tax evaders to come clean after paying tax plus a penalty,
collectively amounting to 45 per cent.
PTI
