150 Years of Income Tax
THE Indian Income Tax Department is 150 years old. On Saturday, they organised a function in New Delhi to celebrate the event.
Legal Corner Icon — the image was hosted by the publisher and was not captured.All the top Revenue officers from CBDT and CBEC were present along with the Revenue Secretary, the MOS and the FM himself. Picture above also shows CBDT Chairman Moorthy and Revenue Secretary Mitra.
But in maintaining and updating their website, the CBDT is as good as the CBEC – and this is no compliment! You visit the CBDT website, there is not a whisper about the 150 years of Indian Income Tax or the celebration.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee said, “My long association with the Income Tax Department and experience in public life tells me what is of relevance today may become irrelevant tomorrow. ” But for the CBDT website, nothing is relevant!
The FM also said, “Department is filing appeals in a routine manner without careful thought and examination leading to the Department earning the dubious distinction of being the biggest litigant in the Government of India. I have noticed that some of the appeals filed by the Department have been dismissed by the courts on account of gross delays. These issues require a relook at system of legal and judicial management.”
It is heartening to note that the FM is aware of the clogging of the Judicial Machinery in India by his taxmen - but the sad fact is EVEN HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING.
"It was only for the good of his subjects that he collected taxes from them, just as the Sun draws moisture from the Earth to give it back a thousand fold" - Kalidas