Kashmir chamber resents IT notice to valley traders

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed resentment over the Income Tax department issuing notices to valley traders saying this was coming at a time when they were still reeling under the effects of devastating floods.
"A serious note was taken of this untimely and unwarranted action by the (Income Tax) Department at a time when Kashmir valley has been devastated by unprecedented floods," the apex trade body of Kashmir said in a statement.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the KCC&I chaired by its president Sheikh Ashiq here yesterday, the statement said.
The chamber said the floods had claimed hundreds of lives, rendering lakhs of people homeless, destroying their business premises and establishments, washing out records, documents and books of account besides inflicting 'un-imaginable' misery on public at large.

"It is strange that the Income Tax Department, whose Srinagar office was itself under about 15 feet water, has chosen to operate from Camp office Jammu for the purpose of issuing notices under section 143(2) of Income Tax Act to Kashmiri traders," the statement said.
The KCCI demanded the process of issuing any notices and other income tax related proceedings be forthwith cancelled.