FM Sitharaman to Tax Officials: Serve Public, Do Not Harass Them
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday instructed the Income Tax department to prioritise the convenience of common citizens, urging officials not to make them 'run from pillar to post'. Speaking at the inauguration of the department's new building in Mumbai's Nariman Point, she expressed disappointment over the 'laidback' approach of government agencies that leads to illegal encroachments on public land.
The Minister, who served in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) before entering politics, shared her own experience of obtaining clearances for the 13-storey building, Aaykar Sindhu. She noted that despite the IRS's reputation as a 'powerful force', officials faced difficulties in securing permissions from various authorities. 'Can this incentivise you to understand the position of a common citizen when he approaches you? Don't make them run from pillar to post where your authority is required; do the work for them,' she said.
Ms. Sitharaman clarified that she was not asking officials to bypass rules, but lamented that citizens often struggle to get their rightful claims in the country. She pointed out that the land for the new building had been with the department since 1973, yet illegal occupations had emerged. 'The fact that you led it to have occupations, illegal occupation, shows somewhere in our governance, we are too laid back,' she remarked.
The Finance Minister also promised to address the issue of housing for Income Tax officials in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, noting that many travel long distances to work. She advocated for government-to-government land transfers and urged officials to expedite construction projects to avoid costly rentals in the future. Specifically, she mentioned securing land belonging to state-run telecom firm BSNL and said she would speak with the relevant minister.
Concluding her address, Ms. Sitharaman emphasised integrity in tax administration. 'Integrity is the one and only principle I will advocate to each one of you,' she said, stressing the critical nature of tax collection for the nation's development.
