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.
Punjab: Raids on arhtiyas continue, mandis to stay shut in protest from tomorrow
Mostly those targeted are the ones who have been at the forefront in sending buses, vehicles full of arhtiyas and mandi labourers to dharna sites in Delhi and issuing statements to the press. December 20, 2020 2:55:57 am
Police said the accused stole the phones along with their accomplices.
Income Tax raids against arhtiyas in Punjab continued for the second day on Saturday with so far total 7 arhtiyas being raided since Friday evening.
Among those who were raided in the presence of 2 bus-loads each of CRPF personnel, were Vijay Kalra (President, Punjab Arthiya Federation and Vice-Chairman of Punjab Mandi Board), Pawan Kumar Goyal (President of Samana Mandi), Jaswinder Singh Rana (Patiala district president of arhtiyas association), Manjinder Singh Walia (President, Nawanshahr Arhtiya Association), Hardeep Singh Ladda (President, Rajpura Arhtiya Association) and Kartar Singh