CBDT - An Independent Agency?
IN its letter to Anna Hazare, the PMO states;
Agencies like CBI, ED, CAG and CBDT continue to function independently as per their mandates. In fact, the term of this Government has been especially marked by zero interference in the functioning of these agencies.
Has the PM seen and approved this letter? He was the Finance Minister once – he knows how independent the CBDT is. And why has he not included the CBEC? Both CBDT and CBEC are under the direct control of the Revenue Secretary/the Minister of State and ultimately the Finance Minister. And what is their independent functioning? They cannot transfer their officers, they cannot purchase stationery items and they don't have enough staff to work in their BOARDS – and the PMO says they are independent and the PMO is right – independence means “in – dependence”, which they certainly are in. And it is unfair to criticize an honest helpless Prime Minister!