Modi Government Compulsorily Retires 15 Senior Income Tax Officials Over Corruption Charges

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Friday compulsorily retired 15 more senior officers over corruption charges. The officiers shown the door by the CBDT held the ranks of Prinicipal Commissioner of Income Tax (CIT), CIT, Junior CIT, Additional CIT and Assistant CIT.

The decision by the direct tax department is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Red Fort address where he had said that "some black sheep in the tax administration may have misused their powers and harassed taxpayers. We have recently taken the bold step of compulsorily retiring a significant number of tax officials, and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour."

This is not the first time senior tax officials were given the compulsory retirement due to graft and other charges against them. Earlier in June this year, the Finance Ministry had ordered compulsory retirement for 12 senior officials of Income Tax Department, including Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner over serious allegations of corruption.

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These officiers were facing serious corruption charges and CBI action. They were given compulsory retirement under the Fundamental Rule 56 (J) in the public interest, due to corruption and other charges. As per the rule, the President retires these officials with immediate effect.

According to the Rule 56, Group A and B officers facing corruption allegations who began service before 35 years of age and have attained 50 years of age can be given compulsory charges. A review is carried out on quarterly basis and if the review committee finds these allegations to be true, it recommends compulsory retirement for them.

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