Opp concerned over EC issuing notice to taxation official

Shillong,Oct 22: The Opposition on Wednesday sought a clarification from the VPP-led Executive Committee of the KHADC on the show-cause notice served on a taxation official for issuing notices to realise professional taxes.

HSPDP MDC S. Rashir (Mawshynrut) moved a zero-hour notice on the issue of professional tax notices to traders

During the discussion, the opposition criticised the Executive Committee for allegedly tarnishing the image of the officer by making public the show-cause notice issued regarding the professional tax issue.

Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne wondered as to how a show-cause notice issued to the superintendent of professional tax was made public.

NPP MDC from Nongshken, Grace Mary Kharpuri, said it was an unprecedented move in the history of the KHADC and is tantamount to tarnishing the image of an officer.

Kharpuri questioned the Chief Executive Member’s claim that the exercise was done without the knowledge of the Executive Committee, pointing out that there was a caretaker Chief Executive Member in place at the time.
In reply,
In his reply and clarification, Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh said he had stated in the media that issuing of notices for payment of professional taxes was done without the knowledge of the EC.

The CEO said the EC had already decided that it would serve a show-cause notice if it found that staff and officers were involved in issuing the notices without the EC’s knowledge.
According to the CEM, the EC had not named any officer in their statement to the media, but rather, the name of the officer was leaked on social media.
Earlier, Executive Member (EM) in charge of Taxation, Seibor Warbah, said the decision of the CEM to call for an explanation from the officer was aimed at streamlining and preventing confusion in the minds of the public.