Revenue Secretary calls for tax administration free of corruption, bias or favouritism
REVENUE Secretary Sumit Bose is deeply concerned with the recent searches of CBDT and CBEC offices by CBI. Revenue Secretary is worried that incidents of this nature have the potential of eroding the confidence of the taxpaying community and public at large in the Department.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Commissioners, DGs, Chairmen and Members of CBDT and CBEC, the Revenue Secretary emphasised that the Government Servants are expected to discharge their official functions with utmost devotion and integrity. The Vigilance wings of both the Boards have the prime responsibility to expeditiously conclude case(s) of charged officers. While the innocent must be protected, those found indulging in gross misconduct must be subjected to strict punitive action as per extant rules/instructions expeditiously.
The Revenue Secretary further told the senior officers:
Preventive Vigilance is critical for any organization. Senior officers must regularly inspect the work of their subordinates. Periodical meetings with Taxpayers, Tax Bar, Chartered Accountants Association, Trade Associations etc. will serve as a good feed back mechanism. Personal counselling, especially of the younger officers is also a mode of correcting instances of inadvertent infringement of Conduct Rules, etc.
The general reputation of an officer is also an important input for the Administration before taking a view about transfers/postings. The Administration Division in CBDT and CBEC and the field formations must be sensitized about the criticality of rotation of officers between sensitive and non-sensitive assignments. Besides facilitating exposure to all areas of work, this also prevents the possibility of officers developing any vested interest, which in turn adversely impacts objective official functioning.
Our work environment must maintain zero Tolerance towards malpractices and corruption. An onerous responsibility is cast on the Senior Officers to lead by example. It is expected that all the vulnerable areas will be secured effectively to eliminate any possible misuse, exploitation or unintended abuse. Not only is personal integrity necessary, it is incumbent upon the supervisory cadre to promote good and ethical behaviour in their subordinate officers.
The CBDT and CBEC being the most important revenue generating agencies of the Central Government, the revenue mobilization endeavour must be premised on the Departmental personnel exhibiting complete objectivity, integrity and sincerity in their conduct.
The Chief commissioners/ Directors General are advised to sensitize the field formations suitably and reiterate the Government's resolve to provide a tax administration that is free of corruption, bias or favouritism .
The letter of the RS is a good Moral Science lesson - but what is the effect? Look at the practical side.
1. He wants Personal counselling, especially of the younger officers - With what face can senior officers counsel the young officers, when they themselves are corrupt - the recent visits by CBI was to the Apex offices of the CBDT and CBEC.
2. The general reputation of an officer is also an important input for the Administration before taking a view about transfers/postings.- There is a general opinion in the field that transfers in both the Boards are major annual commercial activities involving Crores of rupees. The same is replicated in the field postings of junior officers.Yes, the general reputation of an officer is an important input for transfers - if he is fairly honest and reasonable, he should not be given a sensitive post, as an opportunity is wasted.
3. An onerous responsibility is cast on the Senior Officers to lead by example. Not only is personal integrity necessary, it is incumbent upon the supervisory cadre to promote good and ethical behaviour in their subordinate officers. - Sir, the example that many senior officers provide is one of corruption and absolute disrespect to law, courts and superior authority.
4. Revenue mobilization endeavour must be premised on the Departmental personnel exhibiting complete objectivity, integrity and sincerity in their conduct. - Sir, if you really believe this, please withdraw the New Year Circular of the CBEC for arrears recovery.
5. Provide a tax administration that is free of corruption, bias or favouritism. - Ha Ha.. Sir, if you want to achieve this, make the administration more of laws and less of officers - ensure that your tax departments run on simple laws that leave little room for corruption, bias and favouritism, but so far every simplification has resulted in more opportunities for all these evils. Earlier corruption in the Departments were in hundreds and thousands but today it is in lakhs and crores because your officers can kill productive industries and make life miserable for the assessees, which they do with unbridled licence!