Give importance, respect to CBDT: IRS officers body to FM

A delegation of revenue officers today asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to ensure that Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) gets it "due importance and respect" even as it advised its Mumbai unit to suspend the ongoing agitation over alleged interference by Central Revenue Department in "operational matters".
The delegation discussed various issues with the Finance Minister and conveyed the deep sense of "deprivation and injustice" amongst IRS officers leading to severe discontent and demoralisation, the association said in a press release issued today.
The association highlighted the operational difficulties of the IRS officers including role and authority of CBDT, it said.

"The FM may kindly ensure that the CBDT, whose powers and functions emanate from Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963 and Income Tax Act, 1961, be allowed to administer Direct Tax policies of the Government, strictly as per the said Acts," the release said.
Senior IRS officer and General Secretary of the association Jayant Mishra, who had led the delegation, said the CBDT is a statutory body like Railway Board and it should be given its importance.
"The CBDT should be given due importance and respect," he told PTI.

The statement comes two days after the Finance Ministry had termed as "insubordination" and warned of disciplinary action to some tax officials passing a resolution against directives issued by the Revenue Department.

The Finance Minister has taken a serious view of such a resolution by officers of Organised Group 'A' service to advise the Government on what role it should play. This is an act of insubordination. Officers indulging in acts of indiscipline would be subject to conduct rules, a Finance Ministry statement issued on Thursday had said.
"No department of the government has absolute autonomy. It has to serve the larger goal of the government. The supervisory powers of next higher authority ensures that there is no misuse of power by anyone in the government," it had said.
After the today's meeting and in view of the "positive response and understanding" shown by the Finance Minister, the association has advised its Mumbai Unit to suspend the ongoing agitation.

"The IRS association assured the Finance Minister that all the IRS officers over the country including those at Mumbai have the deepest respect for the Finance Minister and a very strong sense of commitment towards the goals of the government including revenue collection and providing the best services to the taxpayers," the release said.