HC notice to CBDT over promotions, tax collection links

Gujarat High Court has issued notices to the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Department in the state on a petition challenging CBDT's decision to link promotions and postings of officers with tax collection made by them.

The notices were issued yesterday by division bench of acting Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and justice J B Pardiwala while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Prakash Kapadia, chairman of an NGO Jagega Gujarat Sangharsh Samiti.

The court has sought an explanation about the circular that stated that promotions of the income tax officers would depend on achievement of targets (of tax collection).