A protester at Singhu border in New Delhi on Sunday
PATIALA/BATHINDA: Expressing resentment against the raids carried out on Arhtiyas by the income-tax (I-T) department, Punjab arhtiyas (commission agents) have decided to shut down all grain markets in the state from Tuesday to Friday.
Describing the raids as pressure tactics by the Union government against the arhtiyas for supporting agitating farmers, they also demanded immediate suspension of the I-T raids carried out late on Friday night and on Saturday in Rajpura, Samana in Patiala district and in Nawashahar district with the help of CRPF jawans.
Around 16 arhtiyas were served notices by the I-T department and raids were carried out on six arhtiyas who have state-level designations in the arhtiya unions. There are around 28,000 licensed commission agents in Punjab.
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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.