The Income Tax Department on Monday issued a notice to Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa’s wife seeking clarifications regarding discrepancies in her income tax returns.
The notice sent to Novel Singhal had to do with her income earned as an independent director on a number of companies. Income Tax officials, however, said that it was a routine matter.
“A notice was sent to Novel Singhal about her income coming from several companies where she is an independent director,” an official in the Income Tax Department told The Hindu . “But it is a routine matter to do with some discrepancies in the returns she filed.”
The official, however, did not state the quantum of money involved. Ms. Singhal is a former banker, having taken early retirement from the State Bank of India in 2005.
Novel Singhal issues statement
Ms. Singhal issued a statement late night stating she has paid all due taxes on her income. “There have been reports in certain sections of the media about income tax notices (issued to me) regarding discrepancies in tax returns filed by me.
“It is stated that I have paid all taxes due towards me and disclosed all income earned by me from pension, and all other sources as per Income Tax law,” she said.
It is clarified, she added, that having served as a class I officer with State Bank of India for 28 years and having acquired vast experience in banking and development, “I continue to be engaged in various professional activities, including as independent director in a few companies“.
“I have replied to all I-T notices received since August 5, 2019 and have been cooperating with the ongoing process of the department,” she said.
Mr. Lavasa was appointed Election Commissioner on January 23, 2018, after he retired as the Union Finance Secretary the previous year.
His difference of opinion, with regard to the implementation of the model code of conduct (MCC), with Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra was reported during the recently-concluded parliamentary election.
(With inputs from PTI)
