Cash payment to farmers

In the finance bill, 2017, it was proposed not to include farmers u/s. 269ST as clearly mentioned in the notes on clause.

Notes on Clauses:

Clause 83 of the Bill seeks to insert a new section 269ST in the Income-tax Act relating to mode of undertaking transactions.

It is proposed to provide that no person shall receive an amount of three lakh rupees or more, in aggregate from a person in a day; or in respect of a single transaction; or in respect of transactions relating to one event or occasion from a person, otherwise than by an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or use of electronic clearing system through a bank account.

It is further proposed to provide that the said restriction shall not apply to Government, any banking company, post office savings bank or co-operative bank, any receipt from sale of agricultural produce by any person being an individual or Hindu Undivided family in whose hands such receipts constitutes agricultural income and in respect of transactions of the nature referred to in section 269SS; and such other persons or class of persons or receipts, as may be specified by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette.

This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2017.

But the same is missing from the section 269 ST of the bill as follows:

Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to-

(i) any receipt by-

(a) Government;

(b) any banking company, post office savings bank or co-operative bank;

(ii) transactions of the nature referred to in section 269SS;

(iii) such other persons or class of persons or receipts, which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.

So, wait for any clarification from the department.