The CBDT has announced that Ms. Anita Kapur, former Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes, who retired from government service on 30.11.2015, has been appointed ‘Adviser on Tax Reforms’ on contract basis with effect from 01.12.2015 for a period of six months or earlier, as may be decided by the Government. Her terms of reference are set out.
PRESS NOTE
Appointment of Adviser on Tax Reforms
The Government has appointed Ms. Anita Kapur, former Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes, who retired from the government service on 30.11.2015, as Adviser on Tax Reforms on contract basis with effect from 01.12.2015 for a period of six months or earlier, as may be decided by the Government on the following Terms of Reference:
Terms of Reference
i. To advise the Revenue Department on important files referred to the Adviser by the Department
ii. To examine various suggestions received for bold tax reforms in the light of hard data and likely implications as present her view to Revenue Department
iii. To help the Committee set up recently under the Chairmanship of Justice R.V. Easwar(Retd.) for re-drafting of certain sections of the Income Tax Act; and
iv. To present the Government suo moto her views on certain policy matters relating to direct taxation
2. After her retirement, the duties and responsibilities of the post of Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes shall be discharged by Shri A.K.jain, Member, CBDT in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
The Revenue Secretary had to render a public appologyfor her inaction.If she was not able to decide on an issue which was within her jurisdiction how is she all of a sudden competent to advice the government on tax reforms.Who knows some times a dead battery springs to life and helps survive at the time of desperation.It is sad that in a population og a billion and above we still grapple with old ideas.I congratulate Google having appointed a dynamic youngster from Chennai..it is not for any small measure it is said child is the father of man!!!!
Another point to be noted is that she did not climb to the position of Chairperson not by virtue of her qualities but by virtue of seniority in the ladder unlike erstwhile Chairman Sri. K V Chowdhary. He got out of turn promotion and he proved afterwards that he did deserve the out or turn promotion till he retired. Even after retirement he was made a person attached to SIT on black money appointed by Supreme Court. After the assignment as such he was made the first non-IAS cadre person to be the CVC.
anyway, it is ok. one thing is certain she might have been an honest officer without relishing bribes at the cost of govt, presume, as i had not seen her name anywhere figured under CVC or CBI lists!
With respects to Dr. G. Balakrishnan I beg to differ because India cannot afford inefficiency in the name of honesty alone.
The biggest joke of the year
The style and functioning of the Government of India Ministry of Finance is not known. It was only on 31-10-2015 Bombay High Court passed strictures on the CBDT for issue of a limited applicable circular. There was much hue and cry. The Finance Secretary had issued an apology though was not warranted from him showing his graciousness. But the appointment on contract of Appointment of Adviser on Tax Reforms of a person who mislead the Government and finally to offer explanation by the Revenue Secretary. A person who does not the implication of circulars how can she offer valuable services of advising on Tax Reforms is for any one’s guess. More and More explanations from the higher revenue authorities are in the offing on such immature advises.