‘I was humiliated by IT notices on Abhi’s wedding’

Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan said she can empathise with others who may have faced harassment at the hands of tax authorities.

Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan alleged the service tax authorities humiliated her family seeking details on expenses on wedding of her son Abhishek with fellow cine star Ashwarya Rai earlier this year.

“I received notices from tax authorities who wanted to know how much amount was spent on beauty parlour and flower decoration on marriage of my son,” the Samajwadi Party member told the House.

During a debate on a Bill seeking Parliamentary approval for supplementary demands for grants, she complained in the name of service tax, people were being harassed over expenses incurred on marriages of their children.

The actress-cum-politician said since she was herself humiliated, she can empathise with others who may have faced harassment at the hands of tax authorities.

Several members including Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav and Brij Bhushan Tiwari (SP)supported Bachchan saying the government was following a ‘pick and choose’ policy for ensuring tax compliance.

Yadav said while those doing small-time jobs like beauticians and hair dressers were asked information, this was not the case with big-time industrial houses like Ambanis and Vedantas.

“Questions like how much you spent on your gardener and hair stylist as pointed out by my party member is a case of harassment in the name of service tax which has not been clearly defined by government,” Tiwari said.