Two major employee associations of India’s Income Tax Department have warned the government of a phased agitation starting April 16 if their long-standing demands are not addressed. The Joint Council Action (JCA), which includes the Income Tax Employees Federation (ITEF) and the Income Tax Gazetted Officers’ Association (ITGOA), represents nearly 97% of the department’s workforce involved in direct tax collection.
The associations have written to the Revenue Secretary under the Union Finance Ministry, accusing the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) of “persistent apathy” in resolving key service-related concerns.
“Precarious Working Conditions” and Promotion Stagnation Highlighted
In their letter dated April 6, the JCA outlined a ten-point list of grievances, citing what it described as deteriorating service conditions across the department.
“The impeded career progression and bleak prospects of promotion, irrational annual general transfers, precarious service conditions coupled with unjustified work pressure, irrational and unrealistic targets and severe shortage of manpower and essential infrastructure have pushed our members to the brink,” the forum stated.
The associations also warned that employee morale has sharply declined, adding that demoralisation has “hit the nadir” due to unresolved administrative issues.
Seven-Stage Protest Plan from April 16
The JCA has announced a seven-stage agitation programme beginning April 16, starting with lunch-hour demonstrations across Income Tax offices nationwide. The protest will escalate in phases, including employees wearing black badges and refusing to submit statistical reports.
The final stage of the agitation is planned as a full-day strike on May 13 if the government fails to intervene.
Cadre Review and Recruitment Rule Changes Pending
A major concern raised by the associations is the delay in cadre restructuring, which they say has not been undertaken for 13 years. They argue that the absence of reforms has resulted in severe stagnation in career progression and operational inefficiencies.
“Continued delay in finalisation of the proposal for submission before the competent authority for approval is not only perpetuating the acute stagnation but also constraining the department’s ability to function optimally and deliver globally benchmarked taxpayer services,” the letter noted.
The JCA has also demanded urgent amendments to recruitment rules for key posts including Inspector, Office Superintendent, and Tax Assistant, along with changes to Indian Revenue Service (IRS) recruitment norms.
Concerns Over Workload, Targets and Reporting Pressure
The associations have further flagged what they describe as excessive workload, unrealistic targets, and repeated reporting requirements imposed on staff.
They have called for an “immediate cessation” of what they termed unnecessary administrative burdens and artificial deadlines for completing scrutiny assessments.
Despite repeated discussions with CBDT officials, the JCA said most of their concerns remain unresolved, adding that employees are “silently accepting the back-breaking workload” to meet revenue targets.
Source from: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/income-tax-staff-warn-of-nationwide-agitation-in-april-may-pushed-to-the-brink-over-work-pressure-delayed-promotions/articleshow/130255984.cms
