In an attempt to restrain the generation of black money in domestic market, the Lok Sabha has approved the Benami transactions Prohibition (Amendment) Bill.
Key takeaways from Bemani amendment bill are as follows:
1. It empowers the Government to confiscate Benami properties held in the name of another person or under a fictitious name to avoid taxation and conceal wealth.
2. The person found guilty of Benami transaction may have to face rigorous imprisonment for a period not less than one year and which may be extended to seven years. In addition to imprisonment, there would be a penalty of 25 percent which will be calculated on the basis of fair market value of the property.
3. Now following transactions would also be treatedas Benami transaction:
a. Purchase of property by any person in the name of his wife or unmarried daughter
b. The securities held by depository –
As a registered owner under the Depository act, or
As participant as an agent of a depository.
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| New Hard Law for Benami Properties- Some Points to Know |
4. Bill empowers the government to recover property held in following transactions:
a. Where the person in whose name the property is held is a coparcener in a Hindu undivided family and the property is held for the benefit of the coparceners in the family; or
b. Where the person in whose name the property is held is a trustee or other person standing in a fiduciary capacity, and the property is held for the benefit of another person for whom he is a trustee or towards whom he stands in such capacity.
5. It proposes proper Appellate mechanism to deal with Benami transaction.
6. It specifies the procedure to be followed by the authority for imposing penalty in Benami transaction. It also clarifies that any benami transaction on or after the date of commencement of the Benami transaction (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 shall be punishable in accordance with provision laid down by the act.
7.Adjudicating authorities and appellate tribunal appointed under the Money Laundering act, 2002 may discharge the functions until the adjudicating authority are appointed and appellate tribunal is established under the benami act.
