Paying income tax
In alternate Monday editions of The Navhind Times, under ‘Tax’ column, chartered accountant V B Prabhu Verlekar answers readers’ questions on tax-related issues. In the issue dated March 24, an anonymous reader, who claimed to be a ‘matka’ bookie, envisaged his wish to file tax returns and pay taxes on his income of Rs 25 lakh per annum (after paying his staff), which is from illegal activities. Verlekar advised that where taxation is involved, there is no differentiation between legal and illegal income in the Income Tax Act. Hence, the bookie could keep a record of receipts and expenses in the event there is an inquiry from the I-T department. Yet, the authorities could take independent action against the bookie, even if the odds are less, under the anti-gambling laws. If this was seriously asked by a bookie and not in jest, it needs to be applauded, as there are crores of people who hide their income and do not pay taxes or do not reveal their actual income. Here is an honest bookie, who is keen to pay taxes although the income is from ‘matka’, which is illegal. The I-T authorities would be in a Catch-22 situation: Whether to accept the taxes, which are from illegal deeds, or to report the patriotic bookie to the police. If they do the latter then the government will lose revenue, even if it is not substantial. But if they accept the taxes then a trend would be set so that others, who gain from illegal doings may also pay their taxes. This could put to shame the tax evaders and help boost the percentage of taxpayers, which was just 7% of India’s population in the financial year 2023-2024.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Eradicating tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) has reportedly resurfaced in Navelim with eight active cases confirmed, most of them among migrant labourers residing in rented premises. The disease, though serious, is fully curable. TB continues to pose a public health concern, especially among the economically weaker sections of the society. It is a communicable disease, as it can spread from person to person, primarily through the air when someone with active TB coughs or speaks. Incidentally, Goa has relatively fewer TB cases as compared to some other states in India, with approximately 2,000 cases being reported per year. With the country setting a target to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, Goa too has initiated steps to achieve the target. But even today, unwillingness by people to get screened for the disease due to stigma continues to remain a major challenge for health authorities in detecting TB cases. A cause for concern is that young people, mainly alcoholics, and those with uncontrolled diabetes are reporting with TB. It may be noted that Goa has been the first state in the country to replace microscopy with rapid molecular diagnostic tests in 2020. This has ensured that Goa’s health centres are detecting TB and helping patients to start treatment early. With the state reportedly consistently logging on an average 100 new TB cases every month, Goa, like the rest of the country, is struggling to achieve the ambitious quest to eradicate the disease by the end of 2025. It is necessary to make health cards mandatory for migrant labourers.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Garbage menace
Goa is already drowning in a sea of garbage courtesy the tourists, but of late, locals have also started dumping household junk in orchards and green areas in the coastal villages of Benaulim especially while undertaking renovations. To make space for more stuff, they burn the previously discarded trash including furniture, mattresses, window frames, plastic etc which leads to toxic smoke emissions. This is hazardous to public health and with the hot summer upon us prematurely, there is a clear and present danger of the dry vegetation catching fire and engulfing large areas in its wake. Similar incidents have already taken place in North Goa. Request the law enforcement authorities and the panchayat to constitute flying squads to tackle the menace by detecting and imposing penalties on errant citizens.
Rekha Sarin Trehan, Benaulim
Mundkarial rights
The recent statement by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the budget session asking people to file a complaint with the police if a landlord denies nod for water and power connections does not augur well. Police may not entertain such a complaint, terming it as civil matter unless there is a provision in law. The issue that Maem MLA Premendra Shet has raised is a ground reality faced by many mundkars in several villages of Goa. In addition to the above, mundkars are facing a phethora of problems. The
Goa, Daman and Diu Mundkars (Protection from Eviction) Act, 1975 is a beautiful piece of legislation promulgated to protect the interest of mundkars. Since it is not comprehensive, it requires amendments as suggested by the Maem MLA. It is easy to advise to approach the police or court, but the complainant knows the ordeals he has to face. The pending mundkarial cases are a testimony to this. The government must do a rethink on an amendment in the Act during the next session of the assembly.
Ravindra Fogueri, Mapusa
