NEW DELHI: An annoyed government distanced itself from controversial tax proposals such as a Covid-19 cess and a wealth tax on the rich from a group of revenue service officials, not just rejecting the suggestions but also ordering an enquiry against the officers who released the report on Sunday.
The prompt rebuttal was meant to stop panic among taxpayers, who are already nervous about the future with incomes under stress. The Indian Revenue Service officers association also offered a clarification that the report did not represent the views of all officers.
The “policy suggestions” titled ‘Fiscal Options and Response to Covid-19 Epidemic’ (FORCE) by 50 young IRS officers was shared on social media through the IRS association’s Twitter account late on Saturday evening with the full report. There were several other less controversial suggestions but the speculation over taxes clearly rattled the government which said the officers had violated service rules by releasing the report to the public.
It quickly triggered a debate and by afternoon, government officials said there was no move to implement these measures nor was the report sought by the finance minist