The CBDT has signalled a zero-tolerance policy towards alleged tainted officials of the Income-tax Department. It has issued an Office Order dated 11th June 2019 in which it is stated that in view of pending disciplinary/vigilance cases against four Joint Commissioners of Income Tax, the Competent Authority has decided not to extend their term of ad-hoc appointment and they are reverted to their substantive post i.e. Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax with immediate effect.
The CVC every month publishes on its website the details as suggested – department wise – and the CBDT is also has to work under CVC through its VAO i.e. Pr.DG (Inv) who acts as a link between CBDT and CVC.
I do not intent to spare the corrupt officials but insist to complete / activate vigorously the vigilance actions initiated so that people will get an assurance that the builty are punished.
Merely because action has not been taken against some other public servants like CM, it is no ground to undermine the against the action taken against guilty officials. In fact the CBDT should come out with data every month as to how many complaints have not been investigated and for how long. Moreover, CBDT must adhere to a declared policy that erring on the side of government by revenue officials is unpardonable. It not only implies harassment to honest tax payer but also it clogs unnecessarily the grievance redressal machinery which is suffering perpetually from inadequacy of capacity for grievance redressal.
This one of the gimmicks under Modi government. While appointing on ad-hoc basis 5 CRs have been reviewed and promoted tentatively on ad=hoc basis. Does not the DPC and approving UPSC not aware of these pending cases? More over pending vigilance cases were to be completed inquiry and finalisation within a frame work of 6 months to 1 year. Why did not the Vigilance officials were taken to task for failure? In cases of any extension after the specified date the IO has to take written permission from the respective authorities for extension of this time frame. Did the authorities do the same? If not how the officers who were demoted officers responsible for pending cases?
Above all, when a representative under People’s representation Act was granted bail and facing criminal cases filed by CBI for alleged financial dealings casses and he was sworn in as CM ( a CM is a public servant under corruption preventive Acts).
So the Government should have adhered to frame works of limitations and then only take action against erring officers and this is not the way in the eye of “Principles of Natural Justice”.