Bhargava claims to have filed IT return on time

Bhopal, May 16 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Gopal Bhargava today claimed that he had filed Income Tax return for his salary and allowances as a minister besides agricultural income for 2007 in stipulated time through bank challan.

In a statement issued here today, Mr Bhargava described reports regarding his not filing return as political gimmick and urged the IT department to not become a tool for political parties.

He said he had received the notice yesterday.

The IT department had served notices to six ministers -- including Mr Bhargava, Revenue Minister Kamal Patel, Women and Child Development Minister Kusum Mehdele, Animal Husbandry Minister Ramakant Tiwary, Narmada Valley Development Minister Nagendra Singh and Minister of State for Gramodyog Karan Singh for not filing returns. A penalty of Rs 5,000 was slapped on four ministers for not filing return within time limit.

Mr Nagendra Singh had also written a letter to the IT department over the notice.

UNI AG-PS GT HT1555