Himanta Sarma Criticizes Congress Over ₹ 1,823 Crore Tax Notice

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized the Congress on Friday, emphasizing the importance of tax payment to support welfare initiatives for the underprivileged. Reacting to the Congress’s claim of receiving fresh notices from the I-T Department demanding ₹1,823.08 crore, Sarma asserted that failure to pay taxes implied opposition to welfare activities and disadvantaged communities.

“If the Congress is not paying the tax then this means that they are against welfare activities. They are against the poor, against the downtrodden,” Sarma remarked.

Highlighting the essential role of tax revenue in funding hospitals, schools, and colleges, Sarma stressed the necessity of taxation for governance. He differentiated tax collection from terrorism, stating, “Tax is not terror and the two are two different words.”

The Congress accused the ruling BJP of engaging in “tax terrorism” to weaken the opposition party financially before the Lok Sabha polls. However, Sarma contended that tax revenue serves the public interest, emphasizing that notices from the Income Tax Department to the Congress were not acts of terrorism but rather measures for tax compliance.

Addressing the Congress’s demonstrations against tax notices, Sarma suggested that the party prioritize election campaigning over daily protests. He remarked, “I suggest that they go and campaign for elections instead of protesting every day.”