I-T chief arrested a month after tax board releases rule book
A manual explaining how an officer should 'keep his image both in public and in the organisation as that of an honest, just, reasonable, fair and friendly public servant' seems to have made no impression whatsoever on income tax commissioner (appeals) Daya Shankar.
A manual explaining how an officer should 'keep his image both in public and in the organisation as that of an honest, just, reasonable, fair and friendly public servant' seems to have made no impression whatsoever on income tax commissioner (appeals) Daya Shankar.
He was arrested recently while accepting a Rs 2-lakh bribe.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) released the 'Dos and Don'ts Manual 2011' exactly a month before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Shankar.
He had demanded a bribe from a businessman to confirm an income tax (I-T) demand of Rs1.41 crore raised against him.
The arrest has come as a big blow to CBDT as it had taken the initiative to release a separate manual to evolve best practices in the area of preventive vigilance.
I-T officials said the manual, to sensitise, inform and educate officials, was released on July 29 by CBDT with the view that greater emphasis on preventive measures would help the organisation reduce cases of punitive vigilance and would enhance the reputation of the department.
"The arrest has shown how serious officials are about the manual," said a senior I-T official posted in Mumbai requesting anonymity.
The manual, which contains various aspects of service conduct, also places emphasis on a corruption-free department.
"If such cases keeps on happening, then these instructions will remain only on paper," the official said, adding it was time now for top authorities to take strong action against the corrupt.
"The internal vigilance department needs to be proactive to stop such threatening and blackmailing for bribes," the official added.