*প্রধান মুখ্য আয়কর আয়ুক্ত, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ ও সিকিম অঞ্চল দপ্তর দ্বারা “প্রারম্ভ ২০২৬”

Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, West Bengal and Sikkim Regional Office launches a massive public awareness programme called “Praraambh 2026” A massive public awareness programme named “Praraambh 2026” was organised by the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, West Bengal and Sikkim Regional Office in Kolkata on 14th May 2026. The main objective of the programme was to create awareness about the various provisions of the new Income Tax Act, 2025, which will come into effect from 1st April 2026. Senior officers of the Income Tax Department, representatives of trade and industry associations, chartered accountants, tax experts, taxpayers and members of the media participated in the programme. Suravi Verma Garg, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, West Bengal and Sikkim Regional Office said that the new Income Tax Act, 2025 is a significant step towards simplification, transparency and easy tax compliance. He mentioned that the new Act aims to make the tax law more concise, simple and taxpayer-friendly, thereby reducing tax disputes, increasing tax certainty and encouraging voluntary tax compliance. The next phase of this programme will be to organize regional outreach programmes at various locations in West Bengal and Sikkim on 19th and 21st May 2026. These programmes will be led by the Principal Commissioners of Income Tax and Commissioners of Income Tax (TDS) of the respective regions. The objective is to directly interact with taxpayers, professionals, trade associations and other stakeholders and encourage informed and proper tax compliance under the new Act. The programme included technical sessions on the salient features of the Income Tax Act, 2025 and interactive discussions with the participants. Retired Principal Commissioner of Income Tax Shri Ashok Kumar Jha expressed important views on the transition from the Income Tax Act, 1961 to the new legal framework and highlighted the larger objectives of simplification and taxpayer convenience. • A special session was organized on an educational and public awareness guide called “Tax Bridge”, where guidance was provided through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) between the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the Income Tax Act, 2025. • A factsheet on the important features of the new Income Tax Act, 2025 and the most commonly used forms was made available to the general public in various languages. • Also, a special kiosk with ‘Kar Saathi’ AI bot was set up at the event to increase tax awareness and answer tax related queries of the visitors in an interactive manner. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from various stakeholders, professionals and members of the media. This event has been identified as an important step in further strengthening awareness, transparency and taxpayer participation in the West Bengal and Sikkim regions.