The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (Assocham) in its latest report has said that government’s demonetization move may wipe out the present stock of black money held in cash form economy but cannot eliminate the ill-gotten wealth converted into assets such as gold and real estate. It also said that scrapping of high value notes does not prevent the future generation of unaccounted money.
The Assocham study on Currency Demonetisation has stated that withdrawing existing high value demonetized notes addresses the stock of black money but little to address future flows. Therefore, to eliminate such flows, the industry body has suggested measures such as lowering stamp duty on property transactions, electronic registration of real estate etc.
The study also pointed out that high denomination currency withdrawal is not without some inherent problems. It added that it is very difficult to separate black money from white money because distinction is not once-and-for-all. It noted that white money used to purchase something becomes black if the shop-keeper does not pay sales tax and much of conspicuous consumption is paid for in unaccounted money, which, in the hand of the recipients can again become perfectly legal income.
The industry body highlighted that the problem of undisclosed incomes and wealth has to be tackled at the source. It said that the government must reduce the opportunity and incentives for unaccounted transactions by narrowing the gap between the market value and the one fixed by the government agencies for different levies like stamp duty etc. Further, the chamber suggested several measures to check the menace of black money which include reducing discretionary powers to officers, which is possible if the rules and laws are crystal clear and are not left to individuals’ interpretation.
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