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New Delhi: Taking a cue from the popularity of quiz programmes such as Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Income Tax Department has decided to launch its own prime-time TV serial to sensitise people on the need to honestly pay taxes.
The I-T department is scouting for a television channel to produce and telecast the 12-episode quiz show, which will have school students as participants.
The plan would not only help in sensitising the younger generation - the future taxpayers - but also the existing taxpayers. The move comes amid government's grappling with financial stress.
"The main purpose of such a TV programme is to engage with the youth and public at large, and effectively communicate with the existing, potential and future taxpayers," the I-T Department said in a recent communication.
The show is expected to be anchored by a renowned quiz master and would be telecast both in English and Hindi.
According to the communication, the show is to be telecast during the prime time 'between 8 to 9 pm'.
This would be a new and innovative platform for creating awareness about taxation since so far the Department has been relying mainly on advertisements on print and visual media.
"The participants should be students of classes up to class XII," and the questions would be related to general knowledge, with focus on economy and taxation.
Among others, the TV channel would have to provide free three minute commercial time per 30 minute episode to the Department for telecasting of its own advertisements, the communication said.
Further, the selected channel would have to produce and telecast an informative episode in the beginning covering the history of income tax in India and evolution of tax in chronological order from the ancient, medieval to modern era.
"This episode should be made in an interesting and entertaining manner featuring eminent historians, tax professionals/administrators and scholars as well as top taxpayers," the communication said.
