After PM Modi Rap, I-T Department Tries to be Friendly with Tax Payers

Mumbai - After the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the fear of Income Tax department in the mind of common people, the IT department is trying to get friendly with the tax payers.

In a communication the CBDT Chairperson Rani Singh Nair has asked all Principal Commissioners of Income Tax to expeditiously address the complaints received through grievance redressal system.

Speaking from the Red Fort on the day of Independence the Prime Minister had said – "We want to change the situation where people are scared of income tax authorities, particularly among middle class families. We have to change this situation and I will change it. I want to change the lives of common people, I am committed to it."

This communication by CBDT has come only after the Prime Minister highlighted the apathy a common man has to face from the Income Tax department. Interestingly, the CBDT letter to Principal Commissioners in itself shows that the department is not taking issues related to common man seriously.

3738 complaints sent through CPGRAMS (Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) related to Income Tax have jumped the stipulated time limit.

The letter dated 17th August 2016 shows –

 4 complaints pending beyond one year

 137 complaints pending beyond 6 months

 390 complaints pending between 3 to 6 months

 542 complaints pending between 2 to 3 months

 1073 complaints pending up to 60 days

The matter is now being directly monitored by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in all likelihood he would take up this issue of harassment by the Income Tax Department on the 24th of this month during the Pragati meeting.

In her letter the CBDT Chairperson says "A review of status of public grievances may come up in the next PRAGATI interaction to be held by the Hon. Prime Minister on the 24th August 2016. It may be ensured that all grievances pending beyond 60 days are disposed of expeditiously."

The CBDT Chairperson has asked all Principal Chief Commissioners and Director Generals of Income Tax Department to bring down complaints with pendency beyond 6 months to zero by 24th August.