Govt's in-principle nod to fixed tenure for CBDT, CBEC chiefs

Sources involved in the cadre restructuring exercise for these boards said that while the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) has given its approval for the fixed tenure, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) will now frame the rules in consultation with the Finance Ministry in this regard.

The heads of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) are the topmost functionaries when it comes to framing policy and administrative matters for the Income Tax department and the Customs and Central Excise department respectively.

Sources said the "in-priciple" approval could soon be notified by the DoPT.

Both the chiefs, in aid with other members of their respective boards, also act as nodal authorities for the execution of the orders of the Finance Ministry for these departments.

A fixed tenure for the CBDT and CBEC chiefs was mooted some years back and serious deliberations took place last year for getting this statuory authority for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers, on the lines of what is being enjoyed at present by the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of Home, Defence and Foreign ministries and chiefs of Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing and the Central Bureau of Investigation. MORE