The income tax department on Wednesday said a record number of over 7.85 crore ITRs were filed till October 31.

The total number of ITRs (income tax returns) filed in FY 2023-24 for all assessment years up to October 31, 2023 stands at 7.85 crore, an all-time high when compared to total number of ITRs of 7.78 crore filed in FY 2022-23, the I-T department said.

October 31 was the due date for filing of ITRs (other than ITR 7), for taxpayers (not having any international or specified domestic transaction), in whose case books of account were required to be audited.

“The total number of ITRs for AY 2023-24 filed till 31st October, 2023 is more than 7.65 crore, which is 11.7 per cent higher compared to the total number of ITRs of 6.85 crore for AY 2022-23 filed till November 7, 2022, the due date for filing such ITRs in the preceding year, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement.

Out of the 7.65 crore ITRs filed for AY 23-24, more than 7.51 crore ITRs have already been verified. Further, out of 7.51 crore verified ITRs, 7.19 crore have already been processed till October 31, 2023, almost 96 per cent of the verified ITRs stand processed.

October 31, 2023 was also the due date for filing of some crucial statutory forms like Form 10B, 10BB and Form 3CEB. Total number of various types of statutory forms filed up to 31st October, 2023 stands more than 1.44 crore.

During the peak filing days the e-filing portal successfully handled the traffic, providing a seamless experience to the taxpayers and tax professionals for filing of Forms and ITRs.

The upcoming assembly election is not just about Rajasthan, it is also about Congress’ future, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Wednesday, and added that the country needed the party.

Urging party leaders to reject politics and make Congress candidates win the polls, Ashok Gehlot said that such leaders could later be given official positions by the government.

The party would resolve the issues with those who could not be given a ticket to contest the polls, the chief minister said.

Assembly elections are due in the state on November 25, and counting of votes will be done on December 3.

“Even if we could not give tickets to those who stood by us and to those who saved our government, we have told them to help elect candidates who are contesting for the party. Leave all kinds of politics. Nation is first. The entire country today needs the Congress party,” Ashok Gehlot said.  

“The election is not just about Rajasthan but it is also an election of Congress’ future. If they (party leaders) will make the party win the elections then they will be adjusted in boards after elections. If needed, we will give them the status of ministers.”  The chief minister said that it is natural that there is some resentment after ticket distribution among some party workers even though it was done after collective discussions. Still, there can be some complaints, he added.  He exuded confidence that Congress would win the elections.

Replying to a question on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot said, “It is a bulldozer government there. Is this the way to rule? Is it a democracy? Some people become happy due to their words. But if there is no rule of the law then we will also not be secure. Rule of the law is important for everyone.”  “They have destroyed law and order. You can imagine where they are taking the country. I don’t want to get into it,” he said. 

Two persons died and seven others were missing after a boat carrying them capsized in the Saryu River in Bihar’s Saran district on Wednesday, officials said.

Nine people managed to swim to the bank, while the bodies of two women were fished out, they said.

Officials said they fear that the seven missing persons may also have drowned. However, rescue efforts will continue throughout the night.

Saran District Magistrate Aman Samir told PTI, “The incident took place around 6.30 pm when a boat carrying 18 people drowned in Saryu River near Matiyar Ghat in Manjhi block.” “A rescue operation has been launched and we are trying to identify the deceased,” he said, adding further probe is underway to ascertain the cause of the incident.

This was the second major incident of boat capsize in the state in the recent past.

On September 14, more than 15 children were feared drowned after a boat carrying them capsized in the Bagmati River in Muzaffarpur district. The incident took place when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was in the district to review the progress of several ongoing projects.