Trinamool dharna against I-T dept's notice to Durga Puja committees, BJP alleges puja funds embezzlement

Income Tax Department has issued a notice to Durga Puja committees in West Bengal asking m to pay taxes. Protesting against move, on Tuesday, Banga Janani wing of West Bengal's ruling Trinamool claims that BJP is using agencies to meddle with tritions and culture of Bengal.

Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, " Income Tax Dept has issued notices to many committees who organise Durga pujos, asking m to pay taxes. We are proud of all our national festivals," Banerjee tweeted. Trinamool Congress Banga Janani Wing will sit on dharna on Tuesday August 13 at Subodh Mallik Square (Opposite Hind Cinema) 10 am-6 pm," she wrote in Bengali.

Banerjee also said: "This will be a burden on organizers. Bangla government withdrew tax, which was earlier re, on Ganga Sagar Mela. We protest and demand no taxation on Durga Pujo and Durga Pujo committees."

Speaking to Republic TV, TMC MP Man Mitra said: "New gimmick or game plan by BJP. This is a strategy to terrorise all concern, now y have targeted Durga Puja festival, somewhere y are sending ED notices, somewhere I-T, but all agencies are under Central government."

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BJP's Allegations:

Questioning West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's criticism of IT notices served to Durga Puja committees, BJP accused a section of TMC leers of laundering money, allegedly looted in chit fund scams, through puja committees.

"What is harm if IT looks into money flow in Durga Puja committees. In some puja committees, senior TMC leers and ministers occupy important positions and use it to launder ir black money looted through cut money and chit fund scams. TMC is afraid that this link might be revealed," BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said.

Mocking Banerjee's "crocodile tears" for Durga Puja committees, Sinha said, if she is so concerned about se committees, n why did TMC government on several occasions try to stop Durga Puja rituals, in order to allow Muharram in state. "She should be last person to talk about Durga Puja. If she is so bored about festival, n why did she stop idol immersions for consecutive years in order to allow Muharram processions in state," he said.

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