GUWAHATI, July 25 � In what could worsen things further for the Congress-led Government in the State, the Income Tax (IT) department has reportedly �locked and sealed� the income tax details of some of the Cabinet Ministers and their close aides.
The sudden move from the IT department comes at a time when the ruling Government is being increasingly cornered on the issue of large-scale financial irregularities in the NC Hills district.
Sources close to the IT department informed that the documentation of the Ministers� assets and liabilities and the related income tax details had been done by the sleuths of the Guwahati office of the department at the instruction of its headquarters based in New Delhi.
If sources are to be believed, a copy of the entire documentation has already been sent to the headquarters.
The matter assumes importance as names of some Ministers in the Tarun Gogoi Government were being dragged into the alleged Rs 1,000-crore scam in the NC Hills district from time to time though no concrete evidence has surfaced till date to substantiate the allegations.
Not ready to divulge reasons behind the step and possible implications of the documentation at this moment, the sources, however, conceded that the documentation had been done to ensure that the details were not tampered with in case of any eventuality.
�It would be immature to reveal further details as the matter is still under scrutiny. The department would also dwell on whether the assets of the Ministers are proportionate to their known source of income,� the sources stated.
Asked, the sources said: �Mere documentation of the income tax by the department does not immediately make anyone guilty. Things are to be assessed and steps would be taken accordingly, if necessary.�
The sources further expressed ignorance whether the documentation was carried out to facilitate investigation by any other investigation agency.
While asked to confirm officially by this reporter, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCA), Guwahati, PK Ray, said: �At this moment I can neither confirm nor deny the development.�
