You ASK, we answer!
YESTERDAY, the CBDT came out with a Press Release patting itself on the timely redressal of taxpayer grievances. It is informed that during the period 1.4.2014 to 22.07.2015 the overall disposal rate of grievances received on public grievances portal of the Government of India works out to 85%. And that a roadmap is being readied for additionally establishing 58 ASK Centres during the current Financial Year.
On our message board, V.G.Irkal from Hospet comments –
"…Presently ASK Centre, in many places, is performing merely as Tappal Receipt Counter managed by TA/STA. Receipts generated and issued through system is also of no use, since the Tax Payers are not able to track their tappal online. Statistics indicate increase in percentage of resolving tappals and applications, but Tax Payers' grievances remain unaddressed…."
It is hoped that the CBDT takes note of the above and fine-tunes the ASK Centre.
By the way, CBEC does not seem to be bothered about its "Help Centres", that is, if and only if they still exist!