Kolkata: The Direct Taxes Professionals’ Association (DTPA) organised its Annual Conference 2026 at Hotel Taj Bengal in Kolkata on Sunday. Held on the theme ‘TAXNEXT: Innovation, Governance & Growth – Adapting Today, Leading Tomorrow’, the conference brought together experts to deliberate on various issues related to taxation, financial markets, governance, investment and India’s development journey.
The conference witnessed the participation of several prominent speakers, including policymakers, tax experts, capital market specialists and professionals from the financial sector.
CA Manjulata Shukla, President of DTPA, delivered the welcome address. She said that amid rapidly changing technology, global economy and new tax policies, the role of tax professionals is no longer limited to filing tax returns, but they have become partners in nation-building.
She said that, in view of the rapidly changing taxation, financial market and economic development landscape, the objective of the conference was to provide professionals with a contemporary perspective.
The conference was formally inaugurated by West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose. Surbhi Verma Garg, Indian Revenue Service officer and Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, West Bengal and Sikkim, was present as the Guest of Honour at the inaugural session.
Addressing the gathering, Rathindra Bose emphasised the need for citizens to understand their social and national responsibilities. He said that ego is the greatest enemy of human beings. Every individual needs to understand their role in society and assess their contribution to society, the state and the country.
Referring to India’s thousands of years of civilisation and rich cultural heritage, he said that India is not merely a geographical landmass but represents a rich civilisational legacy. He also stressed the need to understand Bengal’s language and culture. According to him, Bengal is an important part of Indian culture, and the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ can be strengthened only by assimilating and embracing different cultures.
West Bengal’s Role in Viksit Bharat 2047
The major highlight of the conference was a special discussion on ‘Viksit Bharat 2047: West Bengal’s Role in India’s Development Journey’.
The session featured West Bengal Finance Minister Dr Swapan Das Gupta, Indian Revenue Service officer, MLA and former Principal Commissioner of Income Tax Sujit Kumar, and Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, New Delhi, Shri Prakash Dubey.
The panel discussed West Bengal’s economic potential, investment opportunities and the state’s role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. The session was moderated by CA Ranjit K. Agarwal, former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Experts Discuss Capital Markets and Tax Laws
Conference Committee Chairman CA Ramesh Kumar Chokhani said the first technical session focused on the current scenario and emerging trends in the capital market. Capital market expert and Editor-in-Chief of Zee Business CA Anil Singhvi, along with private investor and capital market expert Ajay Bagga, shared their views during the session. The experts discussed emerging investment opportunities and changing market conditions.
The second technical session was addressed by Advocate and CA Ashwani Taneja, former Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. He highlighted various aspects of the Benami law, Prevention of Money Laundering Act and laws relating to black money. The session also discussed the growing interconnection between taxation laws and other economic laws, along with their impact on professionals and ordinary citizens.
The third technical session featured renowned tax expert Dr. (CA) Girish Ahuja, who spoke on ‘Significant Changes in the Income Tax Act, 2025 and the Income Tax Act, 1961’. He explained the major changes introduced under the new income tax law and elaborated on their possible implications for taxpayers and tax professionals following the implementation of the new framework.
The conference witnessed extensive discussions on taxation, financial markets, law, governance and economic development. The programme provided tax and financial sector professionals with a platform to understand the changing tax regime and economic landscape, while also discussing future challenges and opportunities.
The conference concluded with a lucky draw. Shailendra Kumar Tiwari played an important role in the successful conduct of the programme.
