Won't let bad elements in tax dept ruin investment climate, says Adhia

Revenue secretary rejects prevalence of "tax terror" saying he wants to end "malpractices" to improve tax administration

With investment refusing to perk in the first quarter of 2015-16 compared to the previous one, new Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said tax cases would be dealt to not deter investors. He said the department would review readiness of the Centre and state governments on the goods and services tax (GST), reflecting confidence over rolling out of the new indirect tax regime.

He said simplification of tax rules and procedures, and promoting transparency through the use of information technology proposed will be his priority, while urging taxpayers and whistle blowers to write to him without fear.

Interacting with journalists, Adhia said he would ensure investments are not delayed. "We will do whatever is just and proper in taxation cases... identifying bad elements in tax department and taking care of them will be a priority," said the new revenue secretary.

He rejected the notion of "tax terror" being prevalent in the country and said he wanted to end "malpractices" to improve tax administration.

Adhia, who was secretary in the department of financial services (DFS), has taken charge of the revenue department at a time when the government is grappling to find support for passage of the GST legislation in the Rajya Sabha.

"Will review the status of GST readiness of central government and state governments," said Adhia, emphasising on administrative preparedness to implement the composite indirect tax law.

The non-passage of the Constitution amendment Bill for GST has turned out to be a thorn in the side of NDA government's reform process, hitting investor sentiments.

The 1981 batch Gujarat cadre officer said, "My top priority would be to bring transparency in the tax department by use of IT and removing complexity of rules and procedure."

Meanwhile, Shaktikanta Das took charge as economic affairs secretary and Anjuly Chib Duggal assumed the office of financial services secretary.

SETTING THE AGENDA

• Listing his priorities, Adhia (pictured), who till Monday headed the department of financial services, said transparency in the tax department through the use of technology, as well as simplification of rules and procedures, were at the top of his agenda
   
• Also on his radar is reviewing the status of GST readiness of the Union government and state governments. Adhia's comments assume significance at a time when the just-ended Parliament session was adjourned sine die without a consensus on the GST rollout issue, after failing to reach an agreement with the Congress party and the Left Front
  

 

The revenue secretary also said the government would try and be fair in handling tax matters, including the contentious MAT issue that is hurting India's image among foreign companies and investors