NEW DELHI, Feb 21: The CBI on Tuesday launched searches at 50 locations in Punjab as part of its probe into allegations of corruption against Food Corporation of India officials who procured inferior grains to benefit merchants and rice millers, officials said. The CBI teams started coordinated raids at the premises of grain merchants, rice mill owners, and serving and retired officials of the FCI as part of ‘Operation Kanak 2’, they said. The operation was spread across Mansa, Hoshiarpur, […]
Brar and Kalra were at Dhuri Tuesday afternoon to be at the bhog ceremony of one Krishan Kumar, who was working as an accountant at an ahrtiya’s shop in Dhuri in Sangrur district and had died at the Singhu protest site.
Kalra said, “Gathering was unexpected at this spot, we are united like never before. Tuesday afternoon, Kumar’s family was given Rs 11 lakh out of which Rs 5 lakh was from Punjab government, Rs 5 lakh from FAA and Rs 1 lakh from SGPC’s side. Kumar was part of a protest at Singhu border. He was in his mid-60s and he had a heart attack on December 10 at Singhu border. He could not be saved, though he was taken to the hospital for medical help.”
Punjab Mandis to go On Strike from 22 Dec to Protest I-T Raids KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 12/22/2020 12:37:24 PM
NEW DELHI, Dec 21: A day after Income Tax (IT) officials conducted searches and served notices to 14 top arhtiyas (commission agents) in Punjab, the Federation of Arhtiya Associations of Punjab on Sunday, 20 December announced the closure of all mandis in the state from 22 to 25 December as a mark of protest against the IT action.
The association also stated that the commission agents will also “gherao” the offices of the officials, reported Indian Express.
Vijay Kalra, the federation’s president, alleged that action by the IT department was a “pressure tactic”.
Explained: Why are Punjab arhtiyas under the I-T dept scanner?
There have been I-T raids on the premises of the seven arhtiyas, including the district presidents of arhtiya associations and the president of state level-association of commission agents. Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba , Edited by Explained Desk | Chandigarh | Updated: December 23, 2020 12:17:47 pm
Arhityas and labourers protest against the I-T raids, at Sunam mandi on Monday. (Express Photo)
For the past one week the arhtiyas of Punjab have been receiving summons and notices from the Income Tax department. Also, there have been I-T raids on the premises of the seven arhtiyas, including the district presidents of arhtiya associations and the president of state level-association of commission agents.
Centre trying to intimidate arhtiyas, alleged Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said. Arhtiyas to shutdown grain markets in Punjab | Photo Credit: Times Now
Key Highlights
Punjab CM Amarinder slams Centre for Income Tax raids on arhtiyas
Arthiyas have announced that around 153 grain markets in Punjab will be shut from December 22 to 25
Chandigarh: Expressing resentment over the Income-Tax raids on their premises, the Arthiyas (commission agents) in Punjab have decided to shut down all grain markets from December 22 to 25 in the state. The Arhtiyas Association has said that the raids are central government’s pressure tactics against Arthiyas for supporting protesting Kisans.