Come to me at any time convenient to you – Commissioner invites assessee
DURING our Vizag Seminar on Saturday, an assessee raised a rather complicated issue which needed detailed discussion. His jurisdictional Commissioner Ponnu Swamy, who was on the dais said, “You can come to me at any time convenient to you; we will sort out the issue.” His Chief Commissioner who was also present added that the Commissioner will also provide a cup of tea.
Very often, we find that it is very difficult to meet a Commissioner – in fact you can't even send in your card unless you answer correctly at least half a dozen questions posed by the all important PS and most often he would tell you that the Commissioner is very busy and advise you to meet the Additional Commissioner or the Superintendent.
But here is a Commissioner who has invited his assessee to meet him at the assessee's convenience and a Chief Commissioner who directs his Commissioner to offer a cup of tea to the assessee. Well, this is what democracy is all about. Larry Lipsher, addressing our Mumbai Seminar last month said that nowhere in the world he has seen Revenue officers answering questions from the Public in a seminar like this.