| THE
SAMMAN SCHEME – AN OVERVIEW |
The Hon’ble Union Finance Minister announced, in his budget
speech for the financial year 1998-99, a scheme called
"Samman" to felicitate the honest taxpayers
in recognition of their contribution to the national exchequer
and to instill a sense of pride among such honest taxpayers.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes, New Delhi, the apex
body for the administration of the Direct Tax laws of
the country, has announced the guidelines for implementation
of the Scheme by the Income Tax Department.
The Scheme envisages recognition of individual tax payers
in the categories of "Salary", "Business"
and "Profession" in two classes Rashtriya Samman
at the national level and Samman at different levels.
All the assessees, who have a consistent track record
of income declared of Rs.20 lakhs and above in four out
of the five immediately preceding years, fulfilling the
criteria laid down qualify for "Rashtriya Samman".
The assessees, who have declared highest income for the
relevant assessment year and who fulfill the requisite
criteria, qualify for the other category. While the top
assessee in the country in each category is awarded with
"Aaykar Ratna" at the national level, those
topping the CCIT Region/CIT Charge/Range/IT Office level
are honoured with "Samman Patras". The criteria
laid down for selection of the assessees requires that
the assessee should not have been searched or prosecution
has not been instituted for any offence punishable under
any provisions of any direct tax enactment in the last
five years; should not have defaulted in timely submission
of returns or payment of tax in any of the preceding five
years; should not have been granted waiver of interest
or penalty by the CIT/Settlement Commission during the
last five years; should have obtained or duly applied
for PAN; penalty for concealment of income should not
have been imposed or if imposed such penalty should have
been cancelled by the appellate authorities etc.
The Sammanees will be eligible for allowing of Income
Tax Clearance Certificates for obtaining contracts or
for going abroad along with the Samman Patra for a period
of three years. Their assessment may not be subjected
to scrutiny for a period of thee years except under very
special circumstances and that too, after obtaining the
prior approval of the Commissioner/Chief Commissioner.
All applications for rectification of mistakes, giving
effect to appellate orders etc., will be disposed of on
priority basis within 15 days of receipt of the application.
Refunds will be granted in their cases promptly on the
filing of the return. They will also represent the taxpayers
in the Tax Advisory Committees at the administrative Commissioner
level.
The Samman Scheme is aimed at strengthening the relationship
between the tax administrator and tax payer and is another
step in giving due recognition to honest tax payers vis-à-vis
the friendly approach of the Department towards the taxpayers.
It is hoped that the scheme will inculcate a sense of
prompt payment of taxes among the taxpayers and taxpayers
will also reciprocate. It is expected that the scheme
develops healthy competition among the taxpayers. It is
the honesty that gets rewarded and not the dishonesty.
PROFILES OF SAMMAN AWARDEES |
 |
L
to R - 1st Row
1. Ram Kumar, CCIT, Panaji
2. Subramanyan. K., DGIT(Inv.)
3. H.S. Subramanya, CCIT, B'lore-II
4. D.N. Sinha, Member, CBDT
5. B.L. Rao, CCIT, B'lore-I
6. Smt. Vijaya Mohanram, CCIT, B'lore-III |
L
to R - 2nd Row
1. B.B.Shanbhogue
2. Sushma Gupta
3. Madhukar
4. R.A. Harry
5. Nissar Ahmed
6. Chandra Mouli Ref. Ravindra Reddy
7. Nataraj |
|
RASHTRIYA
SAMMAN
1. SHRI. R.A.HARRY - CATEGORY - BUSINESS
Shri. Harry is the proprietor of M/S. Arun Engg. Enterprises,
Bangalore an engineering contractor concern, started in
1972. He is a Diploma Holder in Electrical Engineering
and is a member of the Indian Water Works Association.
He has vast experience in the execution of various water
supply and lift irrigation projects for KPWD, BWSSB, KUWS&DB
etc. He is also the Chairman of M/S. Arun Engg. Projects
(P) Ltd which has executed various projects for water
supply and sewage.
REGIONAL LEVEL SAMMAN - KARNATAKA & GOA
1. SHRI. H.P. MADHUKAR - CATEGORY - BUSINESS
Shri. Madhukar is a Class-I Civil Contractor based at
Hubli. He has a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engg. He has
executed various projects for the Government of Karnataka
like NABARD Road projects, providing MS Pipeline to Sea
Bird Scheme at Karwa, water supply schemes etc. He is
also a member of many educational institutions, temple
committees and social organizations.
2. SHRI. B.B.SHANBHOGUE - CATEGORY - PROFESSION
Shri. B.B.Shanbhogue is a practicing Chartered Accountant
at Mangalore and has been practicing this profession for
the last 33 years. He was the Chairman of the Taxation
& Company Law Committee of Kanara Chamber of Commerce
& Industry, Mangalore for the past 10 years. He was co-opted
as member of the Fiscal Laws Committee of SIRC of the
ICAI for the year 1998-99 and of the FKCCI for the year
1999. He has been nominated by SEBI as the public representative
to the Governing Body of the Mangalore Stock Exchange.
In addition to this, he is also the President of the Ammembal
Subba Rao Pai Memorial Fund.
3. SHRI. K.RAVINDER REDDY - CATEGORY - SALARY
Shri. Reddy is a Masters Degree Holder in Agriculture
from the Andra Pradesh Agriculture University, Hyderabad.
He has worked with multinational giants like Hindustan
Lever & Pioneer Hybrid International in various capacities.
He is presently employed with Monsanto India Ltd in the
Regional Headquarter at Singapore handling its operation
in India, Indonesia, North Asia etc.
CHARGE LEVEL SAMMAN - COMMISSIONER OF INCOME, KARNATAKA-II,
BANGALORE
1. SMT. SUSHMA GUPTA - CATEGORY - BUSINESS
Smt. Sushma Gupta is a Director of Residency Marbles &
Exports (P) Ltd and is a legal consultant with Tilak Raj
& Sons Pvt. Ltd, Tumkur. She is a graduate in Arts and
also has a degree in Law.
2. DR. H. NATARAJ - CATEGORY - PROFESSION
Dr. Nataraj obtained his Degree in Medicine in 1968 and
joined Government Service thereafter. He completed his
post graduate degree (MS) in 1977. He has worked in various
places like General Hospital, Tumkur, ESI Hospital, Bangalore,
India Population Project, Bangalore and Primary Health
Center, Nelamangala. He opted for voluntary retirement
from Government Service in 1994 and is now a leading consultant
surgeon at Tumkur.
3. SHRI. NISAR AHMED - CATEGORY - SALARY
Shri. Nisan Ahmed holds a Masters Degree in Economics
and a Masters Degree in Library Science. He started his
career as a Librarian at the Muncipal First Grade College,
Chickballapur and then moved on to the Government Arts
College, Tumkur. At present, he is working as Selection
Grade Librarian at Government First Grade College, Sira.
FEEDBACK FROM THE AWARDEES
"I am unable to express the magnitude of satisfaction
and fulfillment experienced by me having been selected
for the "Samman" award for Karnataka & Goa Region under
the category of Profession. As an assessee I have been
doing my duty and I am amply rewarded for my sincere and
meticulous work. I have always been upholding the values
of life and cared for integrity and quality which has
given me a reward by way of "Samman" award which is precious,
priceless and a good value addition in my professional
career".
Shri. B.B.Shanbhogue
"This is to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Income-tax
Department for conferring the SAMMAN honour in the true
sense of the word. The warmth and congenial atmosphere
prevailing throughout the programme has touched my heart
and will remain there for many a days to come".
Smt. Sushma Gupta
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