Jaitley warns IT officials of action for 'insubordination'

I-T officers allegedly objected to interference by the Revenue Department in "operational matters", saying it hurt the morale of officers

Taking a serious view on some income tax (IT) officials passing a resolution against the Revenue Department, the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday warned them of disciplinary action, calling it an act of insubordination.

"Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has taken a serious view of such a resolution by officers of organised group 'A' service to advise the government on what role it should play. This is an act of insubordination. Officers indulging in acts of indiscipline would be subject to conduct rules," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

The Finance Ministry statement has come in wake of a media report that some officers of the Indian Revenue Service (income tax), Mumbai Branch, have passed a resolution against the Department of Revenue.

The officers allegedly objected to interference by the Revenue Department in "operational matters", saying it hurt the morale of officers. The officers allege undermining of autonomy of the IT department by the Revenue Department.

"No department of the government has absolute autonomy. It has to serve the larger goal of the government. The supervisory powers of next higher authority ensures that there is no misuse of power by anyone in the government," the statement said.