Srinagar: In a significant initiative aimed at fostering tax consciousness, the Income Tax Department, Srinagar, conducted an interactive program titled “Tax Talks” in collaboration with the University of Kashmir. The event, held at Ibn Khaldun Auditorium, saw the participation of key department officials, including Shakil Ahmad Ganie and Shakil Maqbool, alongside esteemed faculty members and around 150 students from diverse academic disciplines.
The program commenced with an address by Professor Imtiyazul Haq, HOD of Economics at the University, emphasizing the importance of engaging academia with tax administration. Professor Nazir Ahmad Nazir, Dean-School of Business, provided introductory remarks on the impact of black money, setting the stage for an insightful discussion.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Nilofer Khan, expressed gratitude for the initiative and urged the department to continue organizing such sessions to enhance tax awareness. Karamvir, an Income Tax Officer, provided an overview of the department’s structure and operations, introducing the speakers.
Student volunteers engaged in an interactive debate on the menace of black money, highlighting its detrimental effects on the socio-economic health of the country. Shakil Ahmad Ganie underscored the significance of direct taxes in national progress, discussing the government’s measures to curb black money. He encouraged students to play a responsible role in the economy and emphasized the importance of tax honesty.
Shakil Maqbool addressed the importance of indirect taxation and the behavioral aspect of taxation to raise consciousness. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates and prizes to participants, recognizing their insightful contributions.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Imtiyazul Haq thanked the Income Tax Department for their valuable insights, praising the participants and audience for their enthusiastic response. The dedicated efforts of the organizing committee were also acknowledged, marking the event’s resounding success in fostering awareness about taxation among the academic community.

KR Desk