Transparency in Survey operations - CBDT Directions
FOR bringing transparency in survey operations and obviate the possibility of any grievance to the taxpayers, the Income Tax Department has devised an innovative procedure:
++ Survey teams visiting taxpayer's premises under the provisions of section 133A of the Income tax Act will, before the commencement of survey proceedings, provide to the taxpayer the names, designations & contact numbers of their Chief Commissioner, Commissioner & Additional/ Joint Commissioner of Income Tax.
++ Inform the taxpayer that in case of any grievance or otherwise, he is free to contact Chief Commissioner/ Commissioner/ Addl Commissioner/ Joint Commissioner of Income Tax.
Survey parties will invariably carry in their survey kit names, designations & contact numbers of their CCIT / CIT / Addl / JCIT on which, as a proof of implementation of the above directions, signature of the taxpayer surveyed would be obtained. This would be submitted back to the CIT, to be preserved as permanent record.
We do hope these directions are followed and in case, usually the PAs are very strict in ensuring that nobody talks to their officers. Maybe they have directions to do so!