Tax office vs tax office: Sitharaman's own department faces the paperwork maze

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday asked officials of the Income Tax Department to work towards making services more citizen-friendly and avoid situations where people have to repeatedly approach different offices to get their legitimate work completed.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Aaykar Sindhu building at Nariman Point in Mumbai, Sitharaman said government departments need to understand the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens while dealing with administrative processes.

She cited the experience of getting approvals for the department's own 13-storey building and said that even government agencies often face delays while obtaining clearances. She said such experiences should help officials understand the challenges faced by common people.

Sitharaman reminded Income Tax officials that the department carries significant authority and urged them to use that responsibility to assist citizens rather than create additional hurdles.

She clarified that officials should not bypass rules or procedures but should ensure that people receive timely support within the existing legal framework.

Concerns over government land management

The Finance Minister also raised concerns over encroachment on government land, citing the land parcel used for the Aaykar Sindhu building.

She said the land had been with the Income Tax Department since 1973 but illegal occupations developed over time, calling it a sign of weak asset management within governance systems.

Sitharaman stressed the need for officials to protect government assets and maintain accountability in handling public resources.

Focus on infrastructure and employee facilities

Sitharaman also discussed the issue of official accommodation for Income Tax officials in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. She said many employees do not have access to government housing and face long travel distances.

She said she would work towards facilitating land transfers and other approvals, while asking officials to complete processes related to construction, contracts and tenders efficiently.

The minister also referred to BSNL's land assets and said government departments should ensure proper protection and utilisation of such resources.

During her address, Sitharaman highlighted integrity as a key principle for officials involved in tax administration. She said maintaining ethical conduct was essential for a department responsible for collecting revenue for the country.