Author: colorsnews.in

New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Union government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the implementation of an automatic refund mechanism for excess Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) in cases where individuals are not otherwise required to file income tax returns.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notice to the Union of India, the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), directing them to file their response.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 6.

The PIL, filed by petitioner-in-person Aakash Goel, contended that nearly two crore individuals, primarily senior citizens and low-income earners whose income falls below the taxable threshold, continue to face hardship in recovering excess TDS because the law mandates filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) before any refund can be processed.

The petition argued that the existing framework creates a “constitutional paradox”, claiming that while the government has developed advanced technological systems to collect taxes, it has failed to establish an equally efficient mechanism for returning excess tax deducted from persons with no tax liability.

It submitted that the mandatory ITR filing requirement under Section 433 of the Income Tax Act, 2025, effectively acts as a “bureaucratic toll-gate”, making it economically irrational for many individuals to seek refunds, particularly where the amount involved is small.

According to the plea, the financial and digital costs of filing returns often exceed the refund amount itself, resulting in a “procedural forfeiture” that disproportionately affects blue-collar workers, senior citizens and other low-income individuals.

The PIL further claimed that while the Income Tax Department efficiently uses technology for compliance measures, including identifying potential non-filers through the Non-Filer Monitoring System (NMS), it has not adopted the same technological capabilities to automatically refund excess TDS to individuals whose tax records already establish that they have no tax liability.

Seeking judicial intervention, the petitioner has prayed for directions to the Union government and the CBDT to implement an automatic or suo motu refund mechanism for non-filing individuals and to read down the provision mandating ITR filing for claiming such refunds.

The plea also relied on official data to contend that around 2.35 crore individuals with TDS credits did not file returns despite having refundable amounts and argued that requiring them to undergo a digital compliance process defeats the government’s stated objective of “Ease of Living”.

Earlier, in January 2025, the Supreme Court had declined to entertain a PIL seeking the complete scrapping of the TDS system under the Income Tax Act.

A Bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna had dismissed the petition while granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the appropriate High Court. The petition had challenged the TDS regime as arbitrary and unconstitutional, alleging that it unfairly shifted the sovereign responsibility of tax collection to private citizens and imposed disproportionate compliance burdens through technical procedures, penalties, and prosecution for even inadvertent errors.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Aug 5 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said the state government is ready to extend all necessary support for training priests serving in rural temples and urged priest associations and mutts to take the lead in improving their skills and preserving temple traditions.

Addressing a state-level convention of priests, agamikas and employees of Muzrai temples here, the Chief Minister called for a structured training programme for those performing rituals in village temples across the state.

He urged priest associations and mutts to jointly deliberate on the initiative and impart proper religious practices and traditions to priests serving in nearly 34,000 rural temples.

“I request the priests’ associations and mutts to come together and discuss this. There are nearly 34,000 temples in villages where priests perform daily rituals. You should impart proper religious traditions and practices to them. Organise a three-month training programme for these priests, and the government will provide all the necessary support required for it,” Shivakumar said.

Questioning whether knowledge should remain confined to a few individuals, the Chief Minister encouraged experienced priests to share their expertise with others.

“Knowledge is not the private property of any individual or family. You can share your knowledge with others. By doing so, you will strengthen the traditions and values associated with temple worship,” he said.

Shivakumar also highlighted his own contribution to temple development, stating that nearly 300 temples had either been constructed or renovated in his Assembly constituency.

“In my constituency alone, we have built or renovated around 300 temples. Those who pray with devotion attain peace of mind. During former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa’s tenure, the Aradhana scheme was introduced to promote the development of small temples. That initiative played an important role in supporting places of worship,” he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to preserving temple traditions while extending institutional support to priests and religious institutions across Karnataka.

Shivakumar appealed to temple priests to support the Congress government, saying it had fulfilled its promises and implemented welfare measures unmatched by previous administrations.

“Our government has done what it promised. Just as you protect your homes and temples, protect your government,” he said, urging priests to convey the government’s achievements to devotees and help bring it back to power.

The Chief Minister asserted that religion could not be monopolised by any political party and questioned claims that only certain groups were protectors of Hinduism. “Are Ramalinga Reddy, Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjun Kharge and I not Hindus?” he asked.

He announced that CCTV cameras would be installed near hundis and at counting centres in major temples to ensure transparency in handling temple offerings.

Responding to a demand that Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy be given the Muzrai portfolio, Shivakumar said he was open to discussing the proposal.

Highlighting the government’s welfare initiatives, he said the Congress had fulfilled all five guarantee promises, including Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Shakti and Anna Bhagya, besides providing free electricity to farmers. He also said the government was working to create employment opportunities through a private employment exchange system.

Shivakumar also took a swipe at the BJP over its claims of being the protector of Hinduism, saying no political party had a monopoly over religion.

“Some parties behave as if they have taken religion on contract. They claim that God and religion belong only to them. Are Ramalinga Reddy, Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjun Kharge and I not Hindus?” he asked.

He further questioned whether those claiming to defend religion had improved the lives of temple priests and devotees. Referring to the Ram Mandir, Shivakumar said people across the country had contributed bricks and donations for its construction but questioned what had happened to those contributions.

“Everyone donated bricks and money for the Ram Temple. What happened to all that? Has its sanctity not been questioned now?” he said.

He added that the state government was introducing CCTV cameras near hundis and at places where temple offerings are counted in major temples to ensure transparency and prevent allegations regarding the handling of temple funds.

–IANS

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Ranchi, Aug 5 (IANS) Efforts have finally begun to start a dialogue between the Jharkhand government and students who have been staging a satyagraha for the past 12 days at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and the JSSC recruitment examinations.

On Wednesday, Ranchi Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Kumar Rajat visited the protest site and conveyed the government’s willingness to hold discussions with the agitating students.

He asked the protesters to nominate a delegation of five to seven representatives, assuring them that the government was ready to discuss every issue and work towards a resolution through dialogue.

However, the students rejected the proposal for closed-door negotiations and made it clear that they would agree for talks only if the process was conducted transparently and in public view.

They insisted that any discussion with the government should take place in the presence of media and cameras.

According to the protesters, the issue concerns the future of thousands of youths across Jharkhand and is not limited to a handful of individuals. Therefore, they argued, the entire process must remain transparent and accountable.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Hemant Soren met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar at Lok Bhavan and briefed him on developments related to the students’ agitation.

The Chief Minister said that the government was closely monitoring the situation and would ensure that no injustice was done to the students.

He stated that complaints regarding recruitment examination irregularities were already under investigation and that the agencies concerned were working with urgency.

Soren reiterated that the government was committed to resolving all issues through constructive dialogue. He emphasised that the government’s doors were open to everyone and that any individual with grievances could approach the administration.

He further said that investigative agencies were carrying out their responsibilities independently and that the truth would emerge once the probe was completed.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations were not exclusive to Jharkhand, noting that similar incidents had surfaced in several other states.

He described the issue as having acquired national significance and said that, if necessary, the matter could also be raised with the Union Home Minister.

–IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 5 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha President and National Convener of the Sant Ravidas Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan, Lal Singh Arya, on Wednesday accused the Congress of neglecting the legacy of social reformers and national icons, asserting that while the Congress “worships Nehru and Indira Gandhi”, the BJP celebrates personalities such as Sant Ravidas, B.R. Ambedkar, Birsa Munda, and Ahilyabai Holkar.

Arya made the remarks while addressing a state-level programme in Jaipur organised as part of the Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan, being held to commemorate the 650th birth anniversary year of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore were also present at the event.

“Sant Ravidas is a symbol of our faith and reverence, which is why we celebrate his birth anniversary. But when the Congress is in power, it neither remembers Sant Ravidas nor Maharishi Valmiki, nor does it truly honour B.R. Ambedkar,” Arya said.

Drawing a political contrast, the BJP SC Morcha President added, “You worship Nehru and Indira Gandhi. That is the difference between your ideology and ours. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, we celebrate the birth anniversaries of Birsa Munda, Sant Ravidas and Ahilyabai Holkar as part of India’s tradition of social harmony.”

During the programme, Chief Minister Sharma flagged off ‘Raj Kalash Raths’ carrying sacred soil urns to all 25 Lok Sabha constituencies of Rajasthan as part of the campaign.

Addressing the gathering, Rajasthan BJP President Rathore alleged that over the years, the contributions of several Indian saints and historical figures were gradually removed from educational discourse.

Recalling his school days, Rathore said that when he was in Class 7 in 1967, the teachings and couplets of Sant Ravidas were part of the school curriculum.

He claimed that later changes in the education system reduced the emphasis on India’s cultural and historical icons.

Rajasthan BJP President also alleged that successive historical narratives failed to adequately highlight India’s heritage and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with restoring focus on national icons and promoting cultural nationalism through education.

He said the ‘Samrasata Sankalp Abhiyan’ will continue across the country until Sant Ravidas Jayanti on February 20, 2027.

Chief Minister Sharma said that Rajasthan has a deep historical association with Sant Ravidas and that the Sant Ravidas Panorama developed in Chittorgarh would help introduce the saint’s teachings to younger generations.

Referring to welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister added that the Central government is providing free foodgrains to nearly 800 million beneficiaries, inspired by the ideals of social harmony.

He said that the Rajasthan government has connected around 10 million people with food security schemes.

Urging young people to follow the teachings of Sant Ravidas, Chief Minister Sharma called upon them to contribute actively towards the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

–IANS

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Chandigarh, Aug 5 (IANS) The Punjab Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday took decisions aimed at strengthening education, improving governance and public service delivery, and promoting inclusive development across the state.

The Cabinet passed the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to regulate unnecessary and unreasonable fee hikes by private unaided educational institutions, besides approving the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026, establishment of three new Digital Open Universities, and several other policy initiatives.

On the decisions, the Chief Minister’s Office said the Cabinet gave nod to bring the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill for regulation of unnecessary and unreasonable increase in fee by private unaided educational institutions.

The Bill has been necessitated as some unaided private educational institutions were arbitrarily and unreasonably increasing their annual fees, which was imposing unnecessary financial burden on students and their parents.

So, a need has been felt to amend the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Amendment Act, 2019, and the Rules framed under the Act to check unjustified fee hikes by private unaided schools.

The Cabinet also gave approval to place the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill of 2026 for the transition of eligible outsourced personnel into direct contractual engagement after a qualifying five years of continuous service, or three years in the case of personnel deployed in the enumerated hazardous categories under Section 2(1).

The remuneration of contractual appointees will be determined by the Department of Finance and will not be lower than the minimum rate of wages fixed under the Code on Wages, 2019, or any other law relating to minimum wages for the time being in force. The Bill repeals the Punjab Ad Hoc, Contractual, Daily Wage, Temporary, Work Charged and Outsourced Employees’ Welfare Act, 2016, from the date of its enactment.

–IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 5 (IANS) A trolley full of cash was recovered from an abandoned brick kiln in Durgapur of West Bengal’s West Burdwan district, the police said on Wednesday.

The trolley contained more than 48 lakh rupees in cash.

According to the police, the money was recovered during an investigation into a theft.

On Tuesday night, the police raided the brick kiln in Chandradanga under Faridpur Police Station area of ​​Durgapur.

The money was recovered during that raid.

According to the police, on August 1, the house of Manoranjan Pal, a resident of Gaurbazar village in Bankura district, was robbed. He owns a rice mill.

Manoranjan told the police that his brother-in-law had allowed him to keep a trolley full of money.

The thieves took the trolley away.

Manoranjan alleged that some gold ornaments were also stolen along with the trolley.

Following the complaint, the police started searching various places in the district to investigate the incident.

On receiving information from a secret source, the police went to the brick kiln on Tuesday night and recovered the trolley full of money. However, it is still unclear whether the money is linked to the theft at Manoranjan’s house.

The police are also investigating who left the trolley at the brick kiln and when.

A further investigation into the matter has started.

“Investigation is on to determine whether the money kept in that abandoned brick kiln was stolen from the house of the complainant or it came from any other source,” a senior officer of Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate said.

In April this year, more than Rs 50 lakh was recovered in a Naka search in Kolkata following which money has been recovered in various parts of the state in the last few days.

Recently, a search was conducted at the house of a relative of Tulu Mandal, a stone merchant in Birbhum, and gold and cash worth Rs 50 crore were recovered.

Few days ago, the incident of recovery of huge amount of money in Malda district also came to light during which several lakhs of rupees were recovered in Durgapur.

–IANS

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