Team Herald
MARGAO: The Goa dairy farmers and the milk-producing societies will be under the scanner of Income Tax soon as Goa Dairy has issued a circular to the concerned societies upon the order from Income Tax Department at the time when the farmers are facing hardships in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. As per the circular 0.1 percent TDS will be deducted from Milk producing societies exceeding Rs. 50 lakhs and 5 per cent from societies who fail to submit or not having the PAN card.
Speaking to Herald dairy farmers, besides the Congress party have objected to the move and demanded to roll back the circular issued to milk-producing societies.
The dairy farmers said a few days ago they received the circular issued by the Goa Dairy upon the orders of the Income Tax Department, India and the orders will be applicable from July 1, 2021. The circular states that TDS will be deducted from all the Milk producing societies, whose annual revenue exceeding Rs. 50 lakh and above.
“Hence, every society needs to submit the copy of PAN Card at the earliest to Goa Dairy”, circular stated.
It also mentioned that 5 per cent of TDS will be deducted who fails to submit or the society without the PAN card. The circular has been issued by Dr. Anil Fadte, Managing Director of Goa Dairy.
Speaking to Herald Dr. Fadte said that the circular has been issued upon the orders of the Income Tax Department, India and it will be applicable from July 1, 2021. “The circular has been issued after it was approved by the Board of Directors of Goa Dairy. We are following the orders received from the Income Tax department”, he clarified.
As informed by the sources, there are nearly 180 registered milk-producing societies that supply the milk to Goa Dairy; however, 170 societies are functional. On the other hand, out of 170 nearly 34 societies exceeding the Rs. 50 lakh annual income. That means these 34 milk-producing societies will have to pay 0.1 percent TDS definitely.
Vijaykant Gaonkar, a dairy farmer from Sanguem said that this circular will surely burden them, as dairy farmers are already facing a tough time in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Besides, there are other several issues bothering the dairy farmers. We urged the government to intervene and roll back the circular,” he said.
Goa Kissan Congress Committee also demanded not to implement the circular issued by Goa Dairy. “We don’t understand why the government is creating problems for the farmers of the country. On one hand Central government talks of introducing the farmers’ bills claiming that it will benefit the farmers. However, imposing the income tax on the farmers and that too when the community is struggling for survival due to various unresolved issues is not fair,” said Abhijeet Desai, President Goa Kissan Congress Committee.
He demanded to roll back the circular at the earliest or they will come on the road and agitate.
