Income Tax – Recruitment Rules for ITOs – qualifying in the examination mandatory - retrospective amendment
The Income Tax Officer, Group B Posts, Recruitment Rules, 2004 were notified in the Gazette of India on 21st December, 2004 according to which for promotion to the grade of ITOs, the qualification was,
Inspectors of Income Tax in the pay scale of Rs. 6500-10,500 with three years' regular service in the Grade
Now the Government has realized that there was a mistake and the Inspectors were required to pass a qualifying test in addition to putting in three years of service. So they have amended the rule retrospectively to make the qualification as
"Inspectors of Income Tax in the pay scale of Rs. 6500-10500 with three Years' regular service in the grade and who have qualified the departmental examination for Income Tax Officer."
Will CBEC follow suit? Here the qualification to become Superintendent is eight years service as Inspector. But there are Inspectors who have put in 16 years of service with no hope of ever becoming a Superintendent.
It is certainly a good idea to have a test and qualifying in that being a pre condition for a promotion. That way you can keep the officers attached to books and an officer attached to books is any day a less threat to society than the one who does not read. There should be a test for promotion to each cadre starting from Sepoy to the Chairman. That way you can prevent a lot of ignorance from floating to the top. Only the most learned and knowledgeable officers should be allowed to become Commissioners, Chief Commissioners and Chairmen.
Income Tax Officer, Group B posts, Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2005. (F.No. A-12018/1/2002-Ad.VI)