The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money has recommended the central government to cap the cash holding limit at Rs 10 million (Rs 1 crore) instead of its earlier suggestion of Rs 2 million (Rs 20 Lakh).
The SIT has also recommended that the entire amount found in seizures crossing that limit should go to the government treasury, Justice (retired) M B Shah, who heads the SIT on black money, said on Thursday.
The latest recommendations come after the earlier suggested limits of Rs 1.5 million and Rs 2 million were found to be too low.
“We have recommended that the cap on cash holding should be Rs 10 million. We have also recommended that the entire amount seized above the cash holding limit of Rs 10 million should go to the government,” Justice Shah said.
According to the existing rules, an offender can retrieve seized cash by paying 40 per cent income tax and penalty.
The recommendations have come after huge amounts of cash were seized in recent search operations by tax authorities in the country.
Quick to counter, the Social media was abuzz discussing on the move in the light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s one of the opening pledges to bring back black money. A couple of tweets sum up the mood of the public.
Gaurav Pandhi, a political activist was quick to take a jibe at the SIT recommendations.
Modi Govt's War Against Black Money — consider as little amount possible as black money. Problem solved. 😂
Instead of 2 mn, cap on cash holding increased to 10 mn. Only the amount found in seizures crossing that limit would now go to Govt treasury. Lolhttps://t.co/KCHap1elNv
— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) July 19, 2018
Another familiar face on the social media circles, more specifically tweeting some intelligent stuff on the net, Sonali Ranade has this to say about the move.
Modi ji’s cashless economy goes up in smoke. What a sham. https://t.co/wmD2nDdMLQ
— SonaliRanade (@sonaliranade) July 19, 2018
The Income Tax sleuths had on July 16 searched over 20 premises of a firm engaged in highway construction and its associate companies in Tamil Nadu and seized Rs 1.6 billion cash and 100 kg of gold.
Also Read: HDFC Bank Leads The Pack, Resumes Hefty Levies On Cash Transactions
“Look at the amount of cash that is being seized, Rs 1.6 billion… Rs 1.77 billion…,” Justice Shah said.
“The amount of money being seized is so high that now we are of the opinion that Rs 2 million limits will not do,” he said.
Also Read: Govt Finds Support In Action Against ‘Multiple And Benami Property’
Justice Shah had earlier suggested the cash holding limit to be at Rs 1.5 million. However, later he had recommended raising the limit to Rs 2 million.
The SIT was formed by the central government in 2014 on directions of Supreme Court.
The panel has been continuously suggesting anti-black money measures to the government.
