Title - Tax collection: RPF suggests tax authority to open booth near parcel office

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) on Saturday wrote a letter to the Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, on giving a serious thought about opening a booth for the Sales Tax authority, near the Railway Parcel Office, for collecting tax.The officials of the State Commercial Taxes Department used to frequent the parcel office to check tax evasion and park their vehicles at the parcel counter, which is a congested area.RPF Assistant Security Commissioner R Ganasekaran said that unpleasant incidents sparked off on the premises of the Railway Parcel Office after the Sales Tax Department officials parked their vehicles inside the parcel office.On earlier instances, they were advised to not park the vehicles inside the parcel office to avoid hindrance to others visiting the office.The officials were asked to park the vehicles in the area allowed for government vehicles on the premises of the Central Railway Station.On November 10,  a memo was issued by deputy station master (commercial) to the RPF to not allow parking of  any other vehicles inside the premises of the parcel office, except in the case of those carrying parcels.On the same day, the intelligence wing of the State Commercial Taxes parked their official vehicle inside the parcel office, obstructing the passage of vehicles which were going to the office.

The RPF staff on duty requested the driver of the vehicle to park it on the spot allotted on the premises of the railway station, which was questioned by the driver.

The driver was taken to the RPF office and his statement was recorded. Later the issue was amicably settled, following  discussions with the RPF officials and the officials of the Sales Tax intelligence wing.

“The Railway authorities were criticised allegedly for not cooperating with the commercial taxes authorities in collecting commercial tax, which was far away from truth. They had alleged that the RPF was hand-in-glove with the porters, traders and was helping tax evaders. The allegation has no merit as the RPF never interfered as alleged and was always extending support whenever needed for the purpose of  collecting tax from the tax evaders,” Ganasekaran said.

Ganasekaran said that the High Court had directed the State Taxes authority to open a booth near the parcel office for collecting sales tax after remitting the necessary rent to the Railways.

Following the court directive, a report was prepared by the joint committee of the Ministry of Railways and the Department of Revenue for the goods transported by the Indian Railways.

The recommendation said that the Railway administration would allow the Sales Tax Department to install one check post at the entry or exit of the parcel office without causing obstruction to the passengers or other customers.

He requested the Commercial Taxes Department to follow the guidelines to avoid unnecessary confrontations between the two government agencies. “The joint procedure order signed by the Additional Secretary (revenue) and Railway Board should be followed,” he said.