Tax dept to put corrupt officers under lens

The tax department has formulated an action plan for vigilance inspection of work done by officers against whom there are complaints of corruption.

Corruption-related complaints were pending against 130 group officers of the income tax department in the northern region, Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanickam told Parliament. In all, 767 complaints of corruption are pending across all category of tax officers as on December 1.

The western region, which accounts for the maximum tax collection, has 75 complaints of corruption pending against Group 'A' officers. In the east zone, 42 complaints are pending. The southern region has the least complaints at 34.

Kerala, which incidentally boasts of the highest literacy levels, has no complaints pending against Group 'B', 'C' and 'D' officers. Delhi has the maximum pending complaints against Group 'B' officers with 15 officers under vigilance in corruption cases. Kanpur has the maximum of 124 complaints pending against officers in the Group 'C' & 'D' rank.

These figures do not include complaints in respect of which investigations have resulted in disciplinary proceedings. CBI trap cases are also not included. The minister did not disclose details of the action plan or the names of the officials as the investigations are at various stages.