If I remember correctly, then we started e-filing of Income Tax since 2009, i.e. since assessment year 2009-10. Before that it was available partially, i.e. via some software programs, which the tax consultants used. Since the e-filing website was launched, new data related to IT are available there. Even various applications such as rectification request can be raised there. Last year, many friends and colleagues of mine, who work and live in Bangalore, got surprised by an unprecedented communication from the IT department that stated that the amount of TDS money deposited for the assessment year 2008-09 was less than the amount claimed to have been deposited in Form-16. I also got the same - not via email, but in snail mail. IT department suggested that we should pay back the money to them - odd because, depositing TDS is not job of an employee, but that of the finance department of the employer.
We contacted the finance department then, who informed that many employees from other companies also got similar communication from the IT department, and that it was due to some goof up by the IT department in managing data from the year before they went online. They also confirmed that from employer's side a communication would be sent to the IT department on this issue, requesting to take correcting measures.
Recently, i.e. almost a year after that letter was received, some of my friends and colleagues started getting reminders. Also, we came to know that if we login into the e-filing website, we can check under "Outstanding Tax Demand" item which notes down the amount of money claimed bby the IT, and the assessment year it corresponds to. We also found out that it is not possible to raise an online rectification request against IT computation for that assessment year. Meanwhile, one colleague informed that he was supposed to get some refund last year and later he found that the reason for non-receipt of that refund is that the IT department has adjusted it against the amount noted in "Outstanding Tax Demand" item.
So, we decide to visit the IT office, HMT Bhawan at Bellary road, near Mekhri Circle and to file the rectification request personally. In 4th Floor of that building there is a Help Centre for visitors, where the personnel of the IT department were very helpful on this. Had to write an application letter of rectification request mentioning the year, the amount claimed and the number noted in the communication letter received from them. Attached a copy of that letter along with a copy of the form-16 and a copy of returning file (stamped front page of ITR-V, which was known by some other name in 2009, probably ITR-I). Found out the IT ward number for the then employer of mine (it depends on the first letter of the name of the company) from the Help Centre itself. They even checked that the 26AS data for the same year shows that all the TDS money was actually deposited correctly, and in time. That itself certifies the use of the term 'goof up' (by the IT department). Deposited the application at the "Tappal section" and got a copy of application stamped by the official, which is meant to be an acknowledgement of the rectification request.
In around 10 days' time, the entry under the "Outstanding Tax Demand" item in my account was removed by the IT department.
Not many people check such things at the e-filing website - very few probably logs in there. But, its better to check it out, as the IT department will not hold themselves responsible, if their communication letter sent via post office has not reached the intended recipient.
PS: This is the first time that I encountered the word "Tappal section". Never heard that word before. Probably it is of Tamil origin, and it seems that it is commonly used in government offices, particularly in South India. As googled out, there is a PDF file (http://jameskutty.info/mop.pdf) which notes the meaning of Tappal - any communication (say, letter/application/complaint) received in an office, till it is numbered properly, is known as a "Tappal".
Friday, 10 May 2013
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Life in Bangalore: Hi-Tech voting
Well, it was not totally hi-tech, only partially. It could have been totally hi-tech, if it had been possible to vote online. Hope that will happen in near future.
Never had a Voter ID Card (EPIC) in my native place, in West Bengal. Never voted there. First time I voted was in last year - in MLC elections - for the seat of Bangalore Graduates' Constituency. Came to know about such a constituency another 5 years back, from a colleague. In 2011, visited our local BBMP office and had registered my name there, showing address proof and proof of being a graduate. Though the candidates sent campaigning communications via post that time, the voting process was of older style. There was no electronic voting machine (EVM) there and the voter was supposed to mark for 1st/2nd/more preferences on the ballot paper.
Since then, I was checking out EC website regularly to figure out when the Election Commission is planning to revise the electoral roll. Finally, they announced the dates and I was able to register totally online, by uploading scanned photograph and scanned proofs of address and identity. Even though I did not receive the EPIC by post, I was able to see the number and even information about my polling booth for the Assembly Elections 2013. So, I took a print out of that and visited the local BBMP office. First time they redirected me to another office, where the officers informed that my card would not reach there and I should collect it from the local main office, which is the first one. Visited there again and got a laminated EPIC by paying fees of Rs. 25.
For the Assembly elections, as opposed to the MLC elections, there was much bigger campaigning. But none of the candidates came in for door-to-door campaigns inside apartments. Probably, they were expecting that apartment-dwellers would skip voting this time also as it happened in earlier elections. Though I got a few mailers from our security guards, they are just a few. EC website was also displaying the full list of candidates for all constituencies. That was a good thing, for sure.
I had made up my mind about voting in this election, and since I could see my polling booth from EC's website, I planned to go for it anyway. Though I did not know about the premises, it was pretty near my residence, and Google maps could point out the exact location.
Planned to avoid the early morning rush as I know that most of the locals are early risers, there would be longer queues then. And during last Assembly elections, when I did not had my name registered for voting, I had noticed that during the afternoons there are much smaller queues. So, I planned a post-lunch visit to polling booth.
Google Map was right, as always - location pointed there was perfect. And the EC site had provided even the room number where I had to go for voting. I headed straight to that - there were just 3 people ahead of me in the queue (for that room). Polling officers had photographs, EPIC numbers, names and addresses of all voters printed in tabular fashion. So, it was completed very fast - within 5 minutes from joining the queue, I was done voting.
Overall, pretty neat experience. My wishlist:
1. EPIC cards should have color photographs. And if possible, they should not re-size photographs, rather should crop a part that fits.
2. Since people can login into EC site, they should be able to vote online. This will surely increase voting percentage in large metros such as Bangalore.
3. EC website, where you can search for your name in the electoral roll, you have to provide your father's name in the field marked as 'Relationship name' - but, that's not so obvious. A short message on what is expected to be typed in that field would be useful.
4. Candidates should be able to communicate (one-way, of course) using mass SMS or emails via EC. Since mobile numbers and emails would be personal data of voters, candidates would have to do it via EC only. This way, they can reach the electorate in urban areas in a cheaper way. Given the high penetration of cellphones in India, the model may work fine in semi-urban areas and rural areas too. Providing such avenues to reduce campaigning expenses would eventually reduce corruption too.
Never had a Voter ID Card (EPIC) in my native place, in West Bengal. Never voted there. First time I voted was in last year - in MLC elections - for the seat of Bangalore Graduates' Constituency. Came to know about such a constituency another 5 years back, from a colleague. In 2011, visited our local BBMP office and had registered my name there, showing address proof and proof of being a graduate. Though the candidates sent campaigning communications via post that time, the voting process was of older style. There was no electronic voting machine (EVM) there and the voter was supposed to mark for 1st/2nd/more preferences on the ballot paper.
Since then, I was checking out EC website regularly to figure out when the Election Commission is planning to revise the electoral roll. Finally, they announced the dates and I was able to register totally online, by uploading scanned photograph and scanned proofs of address and identity. Even though I did not receive the EPIC by post, I was able to see the number and even information about my polling booth for the Assembly Elections 2013. So, I took a print out of that and visited the local BBMP office. First time they redirected me to another office, where the officers informed that my card would not reach there and I should collect it from the local main office, which is the first one. Visited there again and got a laminated EPIC by paying fees of Rs. 25.
For the Assembly elections, as opposed to the MLC elections, there was much bigger campaigning. But none of the candidates came in for door-to-door campaigns inside apartments. Probably, they were expecting that apartment-dwellers would skip voting this time also as it happened in earlier elections. Though I got a few mailers from our security guards, they are just a few. EC website was also displaying the full list of candidates for all constituencies. That was a good thing, for sure.
I had made up my mind about voting in this election, and since I could see my polling booth from EC's website, I planned to go for it anyway. Though I did not know about the premises, it was pretty near my residence, and Google maps could point out the exact location.
Planned to avoid the early morning rush as I know that most of the locals are early risers, there would be longer queues then. And during last Assembly elections, when I did not had my name registered for voting, I had noticed that during the afternoons there are much smaller queues. So, I planned a post-lunch visit to polling booth.
Google Map was right, as always - location pointed there was perfect. And the EC site had provided even the room number where I had to go for voting. I headed straight to that - there were just 3 people ahead of me in the queue (for that room). Polling officers had photographs, EPIC numbers, names and addresses of all voters printed in tabular fashion. So, it was completed very fast - within 5 minutes from joining the queue, I was done voting.
Overall, pretty neat experience. My wishlist:
1. EPIC cards should have color photographs. And if possible, they should not re-size photographs, rather should crop a part that fits.
2. Since people can login into EC site, they should be able to vote online. This will surely increase voting percentage in large metros such as Bangalore.
3. EC website, where you can search for your name in the electoral roll, you have to provide your father's name in the field marked as 'Relationship name' - but, that's not so obvious. A short message on what is expected to be typed in that field would be useful.
4. Candidates should be able to communicate (one-way, of course) using mass SMS or emails via EC. Since mobile numbers and emails would be personal data of voters, candidates would have to do it via EC only. This way, they can reach the electorate in urban areas in a cheaper way. Given the high penetration of cellphones in India, the model may work fine in semi-urban areas and rural areas too. Providing such avenues to reduce campaigning expenses would eventually reduce corruption too.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)