Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent the chilling warning to all unscrupulous tax officials who harass honest taxpayers with a view to extorting money from them that their shenanigans will no longer be tolerated but they will instead be summarily sacked from service.
Black Sheep in Dept have misused powers –they will not be tolerated anymore
“It is a fact that some black sheep in the tax administration may have misused their powers and harassed taxpayers, either by targeting honest assesses or by taking excessive action for minor or procedural violations,”the Hon’ble Prime Minister noted, acknowledging the fact that the tax department is in fact a den of corruption.
“We have recently taken the bold step of compulsorily retiring a significant number of tax officials, and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour,”the Hon’ble Prime Minister declared.
Finance Minister also assured onset of corruption free tax administration
It may be recalled that even Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Hon’ble Finance Minister, had recently bemoaned the extent of corruption in the Department.
She produced shocking statistics which show that in the year 2018 itself, 1441 complaints were received by the CBDT from hapless taxpayers against the officials of the Department.
She assured Parliament that the government has taken a gamut of steps to comprehensively ensure corruption free tax administration in the country which includes preventive vigilance, systemic and administrative reforms, streamlining process to reduce employee trade interface and robust preventive vigilance mechanism.
She also stated that in order to have a corruption free tax administration, all-out effort is being made by taking regular action in the areas of Punitive, Preventive and Participative vigilance.
Black Sheep in Dept have misused powers –they will not be tolerated anymore
“It is a fact that some black sheep in the tax administration may have misused their powers and harassed taxpayers, either by targeting honest assesses or by taking excessive action for minor or procedural violations,”the Hon’ble Prime Minister noted, acknowledging the fact that the tax department is in fact a den of corruption.
“We have recently taken the bold step of compulsorily retiring a significant number of tax officials, and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour,”the Hon’ble Prime Minister declared.
Finance Minister also assured onset of corruption free tax administration
It may be recalled that even Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Hon’ble Finance Minister, had recently bemoaned the extent of corruption in the Department.
She produced shocking statistics which show that in the year 2018 itself, 1441 complaints were received by the CBDT from hapless taxpayers against the officials of the Department.
She assured Parliament that the government has taken a gamut of steps to comprehensively ensure corruption free tax administration in the country which includes preventive vigilance, systemic and administrative reforms, streamlining process to reduce employee trade interface and robust preventive vigilance mechanism.
She also stated that in order to have a corruption free tax administration, all-out effort is being made by taking regular action in the areas of Punitive, Preventive and Participative vigilance.
Don’t subject taxpayers who commit minor or procedural violations to disproportionate action
The Hon’ble Prime Minister also stated that he has instructed the revenue secretary to come up with measures to ensure that honest taxpayers are not harassed and those who commit minor or procedural violations are not subjected to disproportionate or excessive action.
CBDT to now have Member (Taxpayer Services)
The Hon’ble Prime Minister also revealed that the CBIC and CBDT will now appoint a very senior officer to the post of Member (Taxpayer Services).
The official will be responsible for improving taxpayer services and will keep a watch on grievance redressal.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister also revealed that the CBIC and CBDT will now appoint a very senior officer to the post of Member (Taxpayer Services).
The official will be responsible for improving taxpayer services and will keep a watch on grievance redressal.
CBDT Chief also lamented “Lackadaisical Attitude”of Dept
Even Hon’ble PC Mody, the Chairman of the CBDT, is fed up with the Devil-may-care attitude of the Department.
He recently addressed a missive in which he took a stern view and slammed the Department for its “lackadaisical attitude”towards resolving taxpayers’grievances.
“Inspite of all these efforts by the Board it is seen that the total number of pending grievances on CPGRAMS as on 20.06.20 19 is 2647 out of which 885 grievances are pending for more than 30 days. Likewise 34026 cases of e-Nivaran are still pending for resolution. These figures are a cause of serious concern and point to a lackadaisical attitude in the effective redressal of the grievance by the concerned authority,”the Ld. Chairman observed.
“It is important for safeguarding the right s and dignity of the taxpayer on one hand while enforcing higher standards of accountability on officers and staff at the other,”he reminded the officials.
Even Hon’ble PC Mody, the Chairman of the CBDT, is fed up with the Devil-may-care attitude of the Department.
He recently addressed a missive in which he took a stern view and slammed the Department for its “lackadaisical attitude”towards resolving taxpayers’grievances.
“Inspite of all these efforts by the Board it is seen that the total number of pending grievances on CPGRAMS as on 20.06.20 19 is 2647 out of which 885 grievances are pending for more than 30 days. Likewise 34026 cases of e-Nivaran are still pending for resolution. These figures are a cause of serious concern and point to a lackadaisical attitude in the effective redressal of the grievance by the concerned authority,”the Ld. Chairman observed.
“It is important for safeguarding the right s and dignity of the taxpayer on one hand while enforcing higher standards of accountability on officers and staff at the other,”he reminded the officials.
Threat of dismissal is not an empty threat
Officials should remember that the threat of dismissal from service for corruption/ extortion is not an empty one.
Recently, 12 senior officers of ranks of Chief Commissioner, Principal Commissioners &Commissioner of Income Tax Dept compulsorily retired under Rule 56 by the Finance Ministry.
In addition, four Joint Commissioners of Income-tax have been “demoted” to the post of Deputy Commissioner as they are facing investigation for disciplinary &vigilance cases.
Refer:http://itatonline.org/info/tax-officials-who-harass-honest-taxpayers-will-be-dismissed-from-service-pm-modi/
Officials should remember that the threat of dismissal from service for corruption/ extortion is not an empty one.
Recently, 12 senior officers of ranks of Chief Commissioner, Principal Commissioners &Commissioner of Income Tax Dept compulsorily retired under Rule 56 by the Finance Ministry.
In addition, four Joint Commissioners of Income-tax have been “demoted” to the post of Deputy Commissioner as they are facing investigation for disciplinary &vigilance cases.
Refer:http://itatonline.org/info/tax-officials-who-harass-honest-taxpayers-will-be-dismissed-from-service-pm-modi/
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