FM Calls for Double Digit Contribution of Direct Taxes to GDP - Revised Citizens’ Charter Released - I-T Department Celebrates 150 Years of Income Tax in India

26-7-2010

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The Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has asked the income tax department to make double digit contribution to GDP by collecting high revenues and help in building strong nation. He was addressing the senior officials of the Department on the occasion of 150 years of income tax in India, here today. He said that efforts are on to bring tax reforms in Direct and Indirect taxes with effect from the next Financial Year. In this regard he mentioned that the Direct Taxes Code Bill will be introduced in the forthcoming session of the Parliament. On this occasion the Finance Minister released the revised Citizens' Charter of the Income Tax Department. Minister of State(Revenue), Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, Secretary Revenue, Shri Sunil Mitra, Chairman CBDT and Members of CBDT were also present on the occasion among others.

Following is full text of the speech delivered by the Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee on this occasion:

"It is my proud privilege to be part of this momentous occasion in the history of the Income Tax Department, which is celebrating 150 years of Income Tax in India. For the first time in the legislative history of India, a Bill for imposing duties on profits arising from property, professions, trades & offices was passed by the Legislative Council of India and received the assent of the Governor General on 24th July 1860. This Act was precursor to the modern income tax law in the country. On this very special day, Department should rededicate itself to partner in the nation building process through progressive tax policy, efficient and effective administration and improved voluntary compliance.

It would befit the occasion to say a few words about the person, who laid the foundation for taxation in India. James Wilson, before he quit the British Parliament to join as the Finance Member in the Council of India in 1859, had a distinguished career as a Member of the Privy Council and the founder of the globally acclaimed magazine "The Economist". He came to India to establish the tax structure, a new paper currency and to remodel the finance system after the 1857 War of Independence. In 1860, James Wilson breathed his last in Kolkata. His grave was recently rediscovered in Kolkata by an officer of the Income Tax Department and restored.

Since 1860 to the present day, the Income Tax Department has traversed over three centuries and has witnessed the collapse of imperial rule in India and rise of a magnificent democratic economy. The emergence of India as an economic power-house has also been reflected in our enhanced revenue collection from direct taxes. From meagre revenue of Rs.1.35 crore in 1860-61, the Income Tax Department has collected nearly Rs.3.80 Lakh crore in 2009-10. The contribution of direct taxes to the GDP has increased three-fold from 1.9% to 6.1%. The annual growth rate of direct taxes has averaged about 24% in the last 5 years. This was despite two low-growth years in 2008-09 and 2009-10 due to slowdown in the global economy. With the Indian economy poised to grow at 8.5% during the current fiscal, we expect the tax growth to regain its past buoyancy.

Tax administration has undergone significant changes in the last two-and-a-half decades, steadily moving towards lower tax rates and enhanced voluntary tax compliance. The role of tax Department and the tax officer has changed from that of a tax-enforcer to that of a tax facilitator. Whereas earlier tax administration enforced laws with intimidation, today it facilitates compliance by creating atmosphere conducive to voluntary payment and discourage tax evasion by credible and non-intrusive technology-driven deterrence.

The new DTC, which is now at final stage of drafting, is a major attempt to rewrite the existing direct tax laws. It will simplify, rationalize and consolidate the laws and procedures relating to direct taxes. The DTC will provide a taxation regime which is simple and broad based leading to lower tax rates, better tax compliance and reduced litigation. The simplified direct tax laws will also provide a conducive environment for investment and will make India an attractive destination for foreign investors.

The Department has embarked on many "taxpayer friendly" schemes and services such as PAN or the taxpayer identification number; electronic filing, payment, refund, accounting and verification of taxes; Centralized Processing Centres to process tax returns faster and for better management of bulk operations; and Sevottam Scheme & Aayakar Sewa Kendras for improved tracking and redressal of taxpayer grievances.

A lot more remains to be done. The Department needs to reinvent itself to meet the challenges of the next 50 years. The Department should concentrate on its core functions of data mining, risk profiling and risk-assessment; tax enforcement and recovery; dispute resolution and grievance redressal; taxpayer awareness and education; and other administrative, judicial, audit and Parliament-related functions.

One area of concern is litigation with taxpayers. Department is filing appeals in a routine manner without careful thought and examination leading to the Department earning the dubious distinction of being the biggest litigant in the Government of India. I have noticed that some of the appeals filed by the Department have been dismissed by the courts on account of gross delays. These issues require a relook at system of legal and judicial management.

The Department also needs to strengthen its administrative structure, including its headquarters, to enable it to undertake greater responsibilities. It needs to evolve functionally to cater to highly specialized and new areas of work.

In a vast, populous and diverse country like India, a Department with a customer base of 3.5 crore taxpayers and nearly 10 crore PAN holders, needs huge resources for manpower, infrastructure and communications systems. I am aware that there is a strong case for increasing the manpower and material resources of the Department. But huge resources bring greater responsibility. The Department should gear itself up to bear the increased responsibility of managing its resources efficiently and effectively.

My long association with the Income Tax Department and experience in public life tells me what is of relevance today may become irrelevant tomorrow. In the fast changing globalized scenario, direct taxes have become highly dynamic and are constantly evolving. Therefore, the Department will have to embark upon a continuous process of learning and upgrading its skills. This involves a complex and continuous process of assessment of business environment and management of change. To my mind, this is a critical area and the Department needs to hone its skill-sets to meet the challenges emerging out of the changing environment. The Mid-Career Training Programme announced earlier should be effectively used for this purpose.

On this Occasion, I extend my best wishes to the entire Income Tax family. I am informed that later in the day an art exhibition is being organized on the theme of "Building the nation through income-tax". I am happy to note that eminent artists from within and outside the Department have come together to provide a visual representation of the vital contribution of taxes to the emergence of a resurgent India. Department has revised its Citizen's Charter to reflect the endeavor of the Department to meet the aspirations of the people of India. I dedicate the new Citizen's Charter to the nation."

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