Kolkata, Apr 10 (UNI) Central income tax authorities have decided to open a regional office in Gangtok for tax collection, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Cadre Central Authority, T K Chatterjee said today.

He told reporters that the Central Board of Direct Taxes has given the green signal to West Bengal to find out a suitable place in Gangtok for opening its office by this month-end or early next month.

Divulging details of total income tax collection in West Bengal and Andaman in the last fiscal (2007-08), Mr Chatterjee said right now only TDS (tax deducted at source) is being collected, that too from Central government employees, and opening a new office would mean income tax collection from local people.

Mr Chatterjee said the Jalpaiguri's tax commissioner was asked to immediately arrange a location for Central Income Tax office and an officer in rank of assistant commissioner would be posted for tax collection.

The Income Tax Commissioner claimed that no controversy existed between the Sikkim government and Centre on income tax manual to be implemented in the state.

Earlier many attempts to open a Central Income Tax office failed due to the Sikkim government's stiff opposition.

Sikkim government has its own income tax manual and preferred to continue with its own tax regime.

UNI PC KK KK BD1640