‘Section 281B not harsh’

Stating that Section 281B, which gives the IT department the power to attach property in case of defaults, is not harsh and has enough safeguards, Member (Revenue) CBDT Berjinder Singh told the media that the provision is nothing new and has been there since 1975. Singh said attachment could be made only with prior approval of chief commissioner/commissioner of income tax and attachment only for a period of six months at a time.

Further total period cannot exceed two years. Elaborating that the property is not taken over under the provision selling or transfering the property, Singh said the provision would be used in suitable cases, when recovery of the demand would be a problem during assessment proceedings. The provision can be used on new assessment only.