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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Black money amnesty plan

Black money amnesty plan

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published Published on Jan 26, 2011   modified Modified on Jan 26, 2011

The Centre may announce a tax amnesty scheme to bring back black money stashed in banks abroad, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee hinted today.

He declined to share the names of those who have black money in foreign banks “as it violates international law”. By one estimate, anything between $450 billion and $1.5 trillion is in these accounts.

Mukherjee’s news conference was called today at the behest of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who wanted the finance minister to clarify the government’s position.

“The government has nothing to hide,” Mukherjee said. “But the problem is that information we have obtained has come under some conditions of secrecy. Today, if we disclose (the names), tomorrow other countries will not give me information, raising an accusing finger that you do not meet international commitments.”

Mukherjee said the government had set up a committee to look into the possibility of an amnesty scheme. “I have appointed a group to look into it and make suggestions and recommendations,” he said.

The government has the names of account holders in LGT Bank at Liechtenstein, and information shared by other banks in that country. The information has been given to the Supreme Court in a “sealed envelope”, Mukherjee said.

The apex court had last week lashed out at the government, saying it was hiding behind “niceties” on a matter that amounted to “plunder of the national economy”.

Mukherjee said: “As and when the income-tax authorities are in a position to prosecute tax evaders, you will come to know…. You know there is always a double side to these amnesty schemes. Sometimes, if somebody is allowed, you will be highly criticised because this will be at the cost of the honest taxpayers. Sometimes it helps to bring some money.”

The BJP and the CPM criticised the amnesty plan.

“The government’s stand is delightfully vague…. People are at least entitled to know who are the persons against whom proceedings are going on,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.

The CPM said it would oppose the tax amnesty. “Much of this money has been taken out illegally. So, there is no question of an amnesty,” CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said.

In 1997, then finance minister P. Chidambaram had launched an attempt to unearth black money through his no-questions-asked voluntary disclosure of income scheme. The exercise yielded Rs 7,800 crore in taxes.

Mukherjee said the Enforcement Directorate and the income-tax department were pursuing cases of tax evasion of up to $15 billion and alleged money laundering by absconding Pune businessman Hasan Ali, who is reportedly among 18 people about whom foreign banks have shared information with Delhi.

The Telegraph, 26 January, 2011, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110126/jsp/nation/story_13494968.jsp


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