Centre rejects IRS Association's FORCE report suggesting tax hike; CBDT orders probe

An ill-conceived report named as Fiscal Options and Response to Covid-19 Epidemic (FORCE) put up by a group of officers through Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Association giving suggestions on increasing taxes and releasing same in media through IRS Association's Twitter handle and website is an irresponsible act of few officers, news ncy ANI quoted Finance Ministry sources as saying on Sunday.

Sources furr said chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has been directed to seek an explanation from se officers for writing such ill-conceived views publicly without having any authority to do so. concerned officers will have to explain ir misconduct. As reported, IRS Association in its FORCE report has suggested a 40% tax on super-rich to tackle drastic fall in revenue owing to COVID-19 outbreak.

' permission was sought by officers'

paper titled 'FORCE', dated April 23, has been sent to CBDT Chairman P C Mody and board members. On Sunday, CBDT said an inquiry is being initiated against 50 IRS officers. According to apex body, it h never asked IRS Association or se officers to prepare such a report and permission was sought by m before making report public. It also said "impugned report" does t reflect official views of CBDT/ Ministry of Finance in any manner.

CBDT's statement came soon after sources said ministry has directed Mody to seek an explanation from officers for writing such "ill-conceived views" in public without having any authority to do so.

"It was t even part of ir duty to prepare such a report. refore, it is prima-facie an act of indiscipline and violation of conduct rules which specifically prohibits officers to go to media with ir personal views on official matters without taking prior sanction or permission of government. " concerned officers will have to explain ir misconduct," one of sources said.

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'It does t purport to represent official views'

However, IRS Association on Sunday tweeted: " paper FORCE by 50 young IRS officers suggesting policy measures h been forwarded by IRSA to CBDT for consideration. It does t purport to represent official views of entire IRS, or I-T Dept".

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(With ncy inputs)