Taxing times for revenue dept

The finance ministry's expenditure department did its job by controlling spending this year, but the revenue department can't rest, at least till the end of this month. It is working hard to meet the revised estimates of tax collections. Since there are government holidays on March 27 (Holi) and March 29 (Good Friday), tax officers throughout the country have been directed to keep receipt counters open on holidays as well as the weekend (March 29-31). The Department of Financial Services has been requested to have the banks open for longer hours on March 26, 28 and 30 and for at least half day on March 27, 29 and 31. Moreover, a message from the Central Board of Direct Taxes chairperson said, "In view of the department being in complete revenue mobilisation mode, officers are not expected to leave their headquarter(s) in this critical phase of the last month of the current fiscal." She added that the facility of meeting without prior appointment stands suspended until further order.