PTBA seeks more recruitment in Income Tax Department

Ludhiana, March 21, 2015: Punjab Tax Bar Associations (PTBA) President Ashok Kumar Juneja & Secretary General, B.R Kaushal  have urged upon the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to make the income tax department more effective, tax payers friendly and quick disposal of pendency at all levels, there is an urgent need to fill up the vacant posts as well as to create new posts for more facilitation of assesses and all concerned.

In a statement here today, they demanded that “special recruitment scheme” may be launched to recruit 30,000 new staff against pending vacancies as well as by increasing the number of posts to facilitate the public & assesses since no recruitments have been made during financial year 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.

They further said staff shortage is one of the most serious problems that tend to affect the normal working process of the department and  delaying even the disposal of urgent cases and the grievances of the assessees. 

Citing an example, they said the Principal Chief Commissioner, Pradeep Sethi has been given the Additional charge as Chief Commissioner of Ludhiana, Amritsar and Chandigarh. Also, in Ludhiana 5 posts of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) have been created for deciding the appeals whereas only 3 Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) have been appointed for the same. Departmental Promotion Committee should meet more often and consider the suitability of officers for the promotion, they suggested. 

Further, a positive work environment should be maintained which provides motivation to the employees, they said, adding the Department should organise regular training & development programmes which will enhance the performance of employees. New recruitments should be made against the pending vacancies to facilitate the increasing number of assessee and public at large.

Biometric attendance devices should be used to record when employees start and stop work and the department where the work is performed. It will enable to have full control of all employees working hours, they added.