Kolkata: Mayor Firhad Hakim on Monday lashed out at the Centre over the Income Tax (I-T) department's move to seek Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) details from a number of Puja committees in the state.
"A Tughlaqi government is running at the Centre. In this country, the likes of Mehul Choski, Vijay Mallya are leaving India with crores of rupees and no steps are being taken, but the I-T department is seeking documents from the
Puja committees in the state," Hakim said.
He claimed that the Puja committees in the state rope in poor people from villages against which they earn some money. "The I-T department wants to collect TDS from them. Is this because they are not worshippers of Ram?" Hakim questioned sarcastically.
He also accused the BJP of hatching a conspiracy to stop celebration of Durga Puja in the state. "Our Chief Minister is encouraging Durga Puja in a big way and a number of foreign tourists are coming to the state during that time to attend the festivities. She
has a good relation with all the Puja committees and this has angered them. So they are
trying to instill fear among them," he said.
It may be mentioned that Hakim is associated with one of the most famous Durga Pujas of Kolkata, namely Chetla Agrani. The I-T department had sent notices to around 40 Puja committees. Several of the representatives from South Kolkata like New Alipore, Kasba turned up before the I-T department on Monday. Some others will also furnish details on Tuesday.