Hon’ble Sushil Chandra, the Chairman of the CBDT, has addressed a letter dated 24th July 2018, in which he has stated that the Income-tax department has transformed itself from an enforcement agency to a citizen-centric organisation, ready to adopt new technology and innovations in line with international best practices. He has pointed that the department has continued to focus on and expand its taxpayer services as it endeavours to provide “world class services to taxpayers“. He has called upon all officials to work with “the same zeal, integrity, competence and dedication” as they have done in the past and take the Department to “even greater heights of glory”.
SUSHIL CHANDRA
Chairman,
CBDT & Special Secretary to the Government of India
Ministry of Finance/Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
North Block, New Delhi-110001
E-mail chairmancbdt@nic.in
Tele : 23092648 & Telefax : 23092544MESSAGE
Dear Members of the Income Tax family,
On this 158th Income Tax Day, I extend my warmest wishes to each and every member of the Aaykar Parivar including retired personnel and families of all Income Tax personnel. I feel truly humbled being the head of such a glorious and professional service, made even more special by the untiring contribution of each and every employee of the Department.
This last year ie FY 2017-18 has been a year of several firsts for the Department. For the first time ever, we achieved a revenue collection target of Rs. 10.03 lakh crore at a net growth rate of 18%, a task which was fraught with challenges. It was also for the first time that the Department was able to add 1.06 crore new taxpayers, which was a key target area of the present Government. It was also the first year when the Benami Properties Act was enacted in its amended form and the Department rose to the occasion and identified and attached 1500 properties. Our work in taking forward the fight against Black Money by conducting focussed enforcement actions has been feted by one and all. Let me take this opportunity to thank each and every member of the IT Department for the hard work put in by them as they have worked tirelessly night and day to achieve the assigned targets.
In the last few years we have transformed ourselves from an enforcement agency to a citizen-centric organisation, ready to adopt new technology and innovations in line with international best practices. We have continued to focus on and expand our taxpayer services as we endeavour to provide world class services to our taxpayers. In line with the same, we have placed utmost emphasis on the expeditious disposal of grievances for which the Department has been awarded 6 times for consistent performance.
Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of a truly modern and responsive tax administration. Let us reiterate our commitment towards making this Department stronger and more vibrant. As we take giant steps ahead and move towards a faceless, analytical and even more professional system of governance, I hope that you will continue to work with the same zeal, integrity, competence and dedication as you have done in the past. I am sure that, together, we can take this Department to even greater heights of glory.
I once again congratulate you on the occasion of Income Tax day, 2018. With best wishes
SUSHIL CHANDRA
Sir, very good intentions expressed by CM CBDT to have a world class tax system. One can start with basics. Can the AO on entry of taxpayer in his/ her office rise from seat and greet him/ her with Goodmorning/namaskar etc as appropriate. Ofcourse be very strict in assessment/ recovery of taxes etc. Next, can PCCIT ensure clean washrooms in office ( not his own only as is generally the case!); AC room for visiting taxpayers with token system so that they dont have to sit in corridors. Small meaningful improvements in offices will go a long way to provide world class facilities to taxpayers.
IMPROMPTU
“World Class”; “Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones” and some such other choicest indicative assurances, undoubtedly, do make for a scintillating and evoking a hearty appreciation by honest tax payers, as a class, to really and soulfully believe in the ideal motto of – Trust, Value and Service (in the profoundest sense).
All the more encouraging and enthusing is the fact that such assurances, -in a way reassuring the ideals set in recent times, have, as echoed in no unmistakable words, by the highest executive authority (under the law on income-tax), who is in direct control and monitoring of the execution and administration of the law in a sensible direction.
Reading in between lines, it is fervently hoped that, in co-operating with their chief in the same serious vein and righteous spirit, the addressees of the letter, in translating his wishes into positive action, would not fail but mind to read ‘will provide’ as intended to say ‘shall provide’.
And, incidentally, those are expected to keep in sharp focus the unpleasant and unacceptable state of affairs,by any standard, crying for an improvement for better, -from a societal viewpoint; that is, as reported here – https://www.news18.com/…/litigation-expenditure-by-govt-goe…
No need to add that the proverbial ball is their court to play- rather to ensure an idealistically fair play, to make the vision of ‘world class’ an accomplishment fact of life, whatever be the compulsions proving a hindrance on the way forward !
OPEN, with an INVITE, to EDIT, if so incited !