Boatman’s family issued tax notice of Rs 12.8 crore for earning Rs 30 crore in 45 days of Maha Kumbh Mela!

Boatman Pintu Mahra hailing from Arail village on the banks of Triveni in Prayagraj made it to the headlines after Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minster Yogi Adityanath claimed that the boatman’s family earned Rs 30 crore in 45 days of Maha Kumbh Mela. According to CM Adityanath, the boatman and his family possessed 130 boats and each of the boats generated an average profit of Rs 23 lakh from January 23 to February 26. Following that social media was abuzz that the boatman had received a tax notice from the Income Tax Department, demanding Rs 12.8 crore in taxes under Sections 4 & 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Financial Planner Talks About Pintu Receiving Tax Notice

Meanwhile, AK Mandhan, a financial planner and SEBI registered research analyst pointed out the boatman who had spent his entire life rowing boats and earning a modest income of Rs 500 a day. He also talked about Pintu’s dramatic shift in financial circumstances. He unexpectedly generated a substantial Rs 30 crore during the grand religious event. However, his sudden wealth came as a surprise for Pintu, who now faces the daunting task of paying Rs 12.8 crore in taxes within a year.

He also added that the realisation of losing a significant part of his earnings to taxes has added to his distress.

Mandhan wrote, “A boatman from Prayagraj, who spent his entire life rowing boats and earning barely ₹500 a day, suddenly found himself making a massive ₹30 crore during the Mahakumbh Mela. The huge crowd of pilgrims created an unexpected demand, and the boatman raised his boat fare from ₹100 to ₹1,000 per ride. Within a few months, his total earning reached ₹30 crore, something he never imagined in his life. But what happened next was shocking!”

Further, he added, “The Income Tax Department issued him a tax notice of ₹12.8 crore under Section 4 & 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. A man who never even knew about tax slabs or filing returns was now stuck with a massive tax bill like a high-level businessman. His fortune turned into a financial nightmare overnight. Imagine a person who once struggled to make ₹15,000 a month now has to pay ₹12.8 crore in taxes within a year. For him, making such huge money was already a shock, and now losing a major chunk of it as tax was even more painful.”

The boatman and his family didn’t break any law and didn’t scam anyone. He simply grabbed the opportunity when it came its way, Mandhan further stated and raised a few questions. 

Source: Odishatv.in