The A factor

The General Anti-Avoidance Rules, or GAAR, may have generated considerable controversy among investors and the business community but it has created some confusion in the finance ministry too. It’s not about the provisions, but the abbreviation. That’s because there is a section called GAR in the Department of Revenue. The abbreviation stands for General Administrative (Revenue) and its job is to take care of the rooms occupied by the department, handle accommodation requirements or issue parking labels, among other things. So, no one should be surprised if they are directed to the GAR section for a query on GAAR.