Cong for free guidance to women depositors to tackle I-T query

Congress has announced to provide "free guidance" by its chartered accountants to women depositors in Gujarat in case Income Tax department questions them over cash into their bank accounts post demonetisation.

According to Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki, I-T department may question women depositors despite the earlier assurance by the Central government on the deposit of Rs 2.5 lakh in defunct currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000.

"Centre had said that women are exempted from any questioning for depositing cash up to Rs 2.5 lakh. But, in case if the I-T department shows negative approach, we, as a responsible opposition party, have decided to help such women, who had saved that money to help their families to meet any emergency," Solanki said while addressing a press conference.
 

The Congress leader said the chartered accountants of the party's CA Cell would help such women "by providing them free guidance if any such inquiry is initiated by the I-T. Our CAs would be available for consultation at all major cities and towns of the state."

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cashless push, Solanki said the PM was acting like a "marketing agent" of the digital payment firms.

"We doubt PM's intention behind his call to embrace cashless transactions, as it would eventually help companies like Paytm. It seems PM is working like a marketing agent for such companies," he alleged.

Commenting on recent seizure of huge unaccounted cash in various cities like New Delhi, Chennai and Jaipur, Solanki said those having links with the BJP are holding the black money.

"In all these raids, black money was found from those who were having links with BJP. They managed to acquire cash because they knew about demonetisation well in advance. That is why people having black money are not seen in the queues outside banks and ATMs while the common man is facing immense problems in getting money," the Congress leader said.