I-T dept survey on BBC India continues for second day
New Delhi (PTI): The Income Tax department survey operation against the BBC India continued for the second day with the sleuths understood to be making copies of electronic and paper-based financial data of the organisation, officials said Wednesday.
The tax department had launched the action on Tuesday at the BBC's Delhi and Mumbai offices along with at least two linked premises as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion against the British broadcaster in India.
Sleuths knocked at the doors of the BBC around 11:30 AM on Tuesday and they are still present, sources aware of the development told PTI.
The tax officials are speaking to staffers of the BBC in the finance and some other departments even as other staffers and journalists were allowed to leave Tuesday night.
Some computer peripherals and mobile phones were cloned as part of the operation, officials had said.
The action, which sparked a sharp political debate with the ruling BJP accusing the BBC of "venomous reporting" and the opposition questioning the timing of the move, came weeks after the broadcaster aired a two-part documentary, "India: The Modi Question", on the prime minister and the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The survey is being carried out to investigate issues related to international taxation and transfer pricing of BBC subsidiary companies, officials had said on Tuesday.
While there has been no official statement from the Income Tax department on the action, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has said it was cooperating with the authorities.
"The Income Tax Authorities remain at the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai. Many staff have now left the building, but some have been asked to remain and are continuing to cooperate with the ongoing enquiries," a BBC News Press Team said in a official Twitter post at 10:26 pm on Tuesday.
We are supporting our staff during this time and continue to hope to have this situation resolved as soon as possible. Our output and journalism continues as normal and we are committed to serving our audiences in India, the post added.
As part of a survey, the Income Tax department only covers the business premises of a company and does not raid residences and other locations of its promoters or directors.
The Supreme Court last week dismissed a plea seeking the imposition of a complete ban on the BBC in India in the wake of the controversial documentary, terming the petition "entirely misconceived" and "absolutely meritless".
Another set of petitions challenging the government's decision to block the documentary will be heard in April next.
On January 21, the government issued directions to block multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the documentary.
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Uday Bhanu Chib appointed as new president of Indian Youth Congress
New Delhi: Uday Bhanu Chib has been appointed as the new President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), succeeding Srinivas BV. The appointment was made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, days after a meeting between Chib and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Chib, who previously served as the General Secretary of the IYC and President of the Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress, will now lead the youth wing of the Congress Party.
His appointment comes amidst the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, where Chib has been actively involved. He also contributed to the party’s manifesto committee for these elections.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal issued a statement acknowledging the contributions of Srinivas BV and welcoming Chib to his new role.
Earlier this month, Chib participated in a roadshow alongside National Congress candidate Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, who is contesting from the Jammu North Assembly seat.
