Diamond industry seeks simplified professional tax procedure

The Surat Diamond Association has made a representation to Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner for simplification of the professional tax procedure for the diamond industry.

Nanu Vanani, president of the Diamond Association, told Business Standard, "The diamond industry is a responsible industry, and we have always supported the government. We realise that paying tax is the duty of the industry. We are not refusing to pay tax. The only thing we want is a simplified tax procedures."

"The employment policy of diamond industry is very different compared with other industries. In diamond industry, the owners do not select the workers. It is the workers who select where they want to work. Thirty per cent of the workers of diamond industry, are also involved in seasonal farming. These workers work in diamond units for six months, while in the remaining six months, they go back to farming," Vanani said.

"We feel that the current system of professional tax is too complicated, slowing down the tax recovery process. The interference of officials in the industry will increase. The administrative cost of the government will rise because of this, and at the same time create an atmosphere of indifference towards the tax in the industry," he said.