The CBDT has issued a directive dated 13th May, 2019 stipulating the dedication of a fortnight for clearing pendency of Appeal Effect and Rectification and for redressing public grievance
F. No. 385/08/2019•IT (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
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North Block, New Delhi13th May, 2019
To
All Pr. Chief Commissioners & Directors General of Income Tax
Subject: Dedication of a fortnight for clearing pendency of Appeal Effect and Rectification and for redressing public grievance -regarding.
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Madam/Sir,
I am directed to say that as per last year, this year also the Board has decided to dedicate the second fortnight of May, 2019 i.e. 16th to 31st May, 2019 to expeditious disposal of appeal effect and rectification claims of the taxpayers. During this period, all assessing officers shall accord top priority to the work of giving appeal effect and passing of rectification orders, and shall earmark the first half of the day to meet applicants// counsels who seek to have a hearing to explain their case.
In the area of rectification, special attention may be given to demands on account of TDS mismatch and demands disputed by the taxpayer in proceedings u/s 245 as delay in such cases is creating widespread dissatisfaction amongst taxpayer.
2. The supervisory officers shall monitor effective utilization of the fortnight for the specified purposes. Wide publicity of the observance of the fortnight should be given in the local media and banners// posters etc. may also be placed in office premises to make the taxpayers aware of the drive undertaken by the Department.
The Pr. CCIT/CCIT/Pr. CIT may write to the local chapter of ICAI and the Bar Association informing them of the organization of the fortnight and encouraging them to use this opportunity to get as many pending matters disposed of as possible.
This issues with the approval of Chairman, CBDT.
Yours faithfully,
(Sandeep Singh)
Under Secretary to the Gov!. of India
Tele/Fax: 23094182
I fully agree and endorse the views expressed by M.Premanand. Is it not the duty of the Officers of the Dept., to do their jobs. Should there be separate allotted week or fortnight to do specific work? Giving effect to appellate or judicial findings (which are accepted by Revenue) amount to reduction in arrears? Issues are not rare where no action is taken in similar cases for over a decade as I have personally experienced with Dept. Whenever they are approached the reply is: Busy with TB Assts/Busy with Tribuanal briefs to AR/Busy with S & S cases/ busy with audit/ busy in meeting and ever so many. Top of of all, if represented before Cell you are directed to prefer a petition with details. Promptly on filing the petition, we are informed that they have called for a Report from AO for necessaary action and redress. Well so far so good. Which authority keeps a track of report from AO. Do not be surprised things are pending right from Asst.year 1996-97. Even in cases where Jurisdictional High Court has granted Stay of Disputed tax, during later years the quantified IT Refunds are adjusted/set off against such Stays. Just go by D & C. Where is the end for all this.To whom should this & such problems be reported.
Of late it is observed that the Revenue does not relish such things brought to light. Your name is underlined.Everything is considered as a personal attack . Broad out-look is not there. The difficulty encountered or problems faced by Tax payers are totally ignored. Is it fair? After CPC take over, who is there to take care? One has to shuttle between CPC and AO. It should be regular duty and work of AOs to give effect to Higher Authorities orders/directions then and there and not to wait for a fortnight annually. In general interest, as a professional for over 50 years, I have expressed by agony. A super Senior Professional.
Where is the required staff to do the work? All offices virtually empty with entire staff on vacation. This is a joke on the tax payers