Latest news with #OGE
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Consolidate reforms, focus on key ops, FM Nirmala Sitharaman tells CBDT
Consolidate reforms, focus on key ops, FM Nirmala Sitharaman tells CBDT NEW DELHI: The income tax department and the revenue department must consolidate reforms and focus on key operational priorities in the areas identified in June this year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday. "I would want the CBDT and the department of revenue to continue focussed work on the areas identified in June 2025," Sitharaman said at 166th Income Tax Day celebrations. FM recalled the five areas that included accelerating the disposal of disputed tax demands pending before the faceless appellate authorities and ensure timely resolution of litigation backlog. It also includes identifying and withdrawing departmental appeals falling below the revised monetary threshold announced during the 2024-25 Budget within the next three months. "I would want these cleared within the next three months," said Sitharaman, adding that this was identified among the key focus areas during the principal chief commissioners meeting in June 2025. Among the other key areas, it was also agreed to ensure timely processing of tax refunds and proactive and timely resolution of taxpayer grievance, analyse the grievances and devise strategies not only to resolve the existing pendency but also to address the challenges that are causing the grievances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The fifth area was to undertake region wise performance reviews to help identify factors affecting performance and streamline operations through indicators such as grievance disposal and orders giving effect (OGE). "The delay in giving OGE (orders giving effect) issuance is not explainable," Sitharaman said and urged the department to accelerate the process of issuing OGEs. FM also said the CBDT must focus on developing its technological capabilities to ensure more effective management of systems and IT related issues. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
FM Sitharaman flays tax officials, says OGE issuance delays 'unpardonable'
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on the 166th Income Tax Day on Thursday, sharply criticised delays in the issuance of Orders Giving Effect (OGEs), calling them 'unpardonable,' and urged the income tax department to act decisively on five priority areas identified during a high-level review in June 2025. OGE refers to the implementation of appellate or court decisions by tax officers. It ensures that the outcomes—such as refunds, reassessments, or adjustments—are formally carried out based on the ruling. 'After all the decisions are taken, the delay in OGE issuance is just not explainable. But we have a category—would you believe it? You have a category of OGE issuance delay. Why pray? The decisions are all done. You just have to issue the OGE. Unpardonable,' she said, addressing senior officials. Reinforcing the need for accountability, she said that good policies alone are not enough. What matters, actually, is timely execution. Referring to the progress made in redrafting the Income Tax Act, she added, 'For a group or the CBDT, which is able to reduce five lakh words of the 1961 Act within a matter of three months to give me a draft bill which is half the size of that earlier 1961 Act… you're able to do that, but you can't issue OGEs? What's going on?' Recalling the key action points from the June 2025 review, Sitharaman said: 'I would recall five of them (including the issue of OGE), which I would think are important for all of us to re-look at—not because things have changed from then to now, June 2025 to now, but to refresh ourselves that these were things which all of us spoke about together.' The first, she said, is to 'accelerate disposal of disputed tax demands pending before the faceless appellate authorities and ensure timely resolution of litigation backlog.' Second, departments must 'identify and withdraw departmental appeals falling below the revised monetary threshold announced during the Union Budget 2024–2025 within the next three months.' The Union Budget 2024–25 raised the monetary thresholds for filing departmental appeals in tax-related cases, setting the new limits at ₹60 lakh for tribunals, ₹2 crore for High Courts, and ₹5 crore for the Supreme Court. These enhanced limits apply to disputes under Direct Taxes, as well as legacy cases in Excise and Service Tax. The third priority is to 'ensure timely processing of tax refunds and proactive and timely resolution of taxpayer grievances,' said the Minister. Fourth, departments must 'analyse the grievances and devise strategies not only to resolve the existing pendency but also to address the challenges that are causing the grievances in the first place.' And fifth, Sitharaman said, is to 'undertake region-wise performance reviews to help identify factors hindering performance and streamline operations through indicators such as grievance disposal and orders giving effect issuance.' Calling the Income Tax Day 'the moment when we reaffirm the unsaid social contract between the state and the taxpayer,' Sitharaman said this contract must not be allowed to 'fray at the edges' or 'become loose, become diluted.' She urged officials to raise the benchmark and ensure that the reform process is matched by efficient delivery on the ground. In addition, the Finance Minister lauded the drafting of the new Income Tax Bill as the first-ever comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act since 1961. She said that several members of the select committee of the Lok Sabha had informally appreciated the drafting of the IT Bill 2025. She expressed hope that 'Parliament actually looks at the good work done… we will welcome the suggestions by honourable members and… expect with enough engagement, discussion, and debate in the House… this bill… passes through Parliament's scrutiny.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Raise benchmark, earn taxpayer trust: Nirmala Sitharaman to I-T officers
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday asked income tax officers to raise their benchmark in timely execution of policies and earn taxpayer trust through their conduct. Lauding income tax (I-T) officers for their nimbleness in adapting to newer technologies and drafting the new income tax bill within just six months, Sitharaman nudged them to clear OGE backlog as early as possible. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare Artificial Intelligence MCA MBA Others Cybersecurity CXO Public Policy Digital Marketing healthcare Finance Technology Project Management Data Analytics PGDM Operations Management others Degree Data Science Design Thinking Data Science Leadership Product Management Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details OGE -- or order giving effect -- refers to an order that an I-T officer has to pass when a taxpayer wins a case against the department in appeal against assessment. "Good policies alone are not enough, what matters actually is timely execution... I think all these years you (tax officer) have done your maximum best. Now is the time to raise the benchmark," she said at the 166th Income Tax Day event here. "You're capable of being even better. Let's earn the trust of the taxpayers through our conduct," she said. Live Events She said income tax day is the moment to reaffirm the unsaid social contract between the state and the taxpayer. "We really cannot afford to have that fray at the edges. We cannot afford that unsaid social contract between the state and the taxpayer to become loose, become diluted," Sitharaman said. Giving awards to officers who were involved in drafting the new income tax bill, 2025, Sitharaman said 60,000 man hours were needed in drafting the proposed law which has been made the Income Tax 1961 simpler. "Since 1961, it has not been touched, layers and layers got added to it. A comprehensive review had not happened. So, that work which was taken up required that many number of hours," Sitharaman said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
FM calls OGE delay 'unpardonable', urges action on five key tax priorities
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on the 166th Income Tax Day on Thursday, sharply criticised delays in the issuance of Orders Giving Effect (OGEs), calling them 'unpardonable,' and urged the income tax department to act decisively on five priority areas identified during a high-level review in June 2025. OGE refers to the implementation of appellate or court decisions by tax officers. It ensures that the outcomes—such as refunds, reassessments, or adjustments—are formally carried out based on the ruling. 'After all the decisions are taken, the delay in OGE issuance is just not explainable. But we have a category—would you believe it? You have a category of OGE issuance delay. Why pray? The decisions are all done. You just have to issue the OGE. Unpardonable,' she said, addressing senior officials. Reinforcing the need for accountability, she said that good policies alone are not enough. What matters, actually, is timely execution. Referring to the progress made in redrafting the Income Tax Act, she added, 'For a group or the CBDT, which is able to reduce five lakh words of the 1961 Act within a matter of three months to give me a draft bill which is half the size of that earlier 1961 Act… you're able to do that, but you can't issue OGEs? What's going on?' Recalling the key action points from the June 2025 review, Sitharaman said: 'I would recall five of them (including the issue of OGE), which I would think are important for all of us to re-look at—not because things have changed from then to now, June 2025 to now, but to refresh ourselves that these were things which all of us spoke about together.' The first, she said, is to 'accelerate disposal of disputed tax demands pending before the faceless appellate authorities and ensure timely resolution of litigation backlog.' Second, departments must 'identify and withdraw departmental appeals falling below the revised monetary threshold announced during the Union Budget 2024–2025 within the next three months.' The Union Budget 2024–25 raised the monetary thresholds for filing departmental appeals in tax-related cases, setting the new limits at ₹60 lakh for tribunals, ₹2 crore for High Courts, and ₹5 crore for the Supreme Court. These enhanced limits apply to disputes under Direct Taxes, as well as legacy cases in Excise and Service Tax. The third priority is to 'ensure timely processing of tax refunds and proactive and timely resolution of taxpayer grievances,' said the Minister. Fourth, departments must 'analyse the grievances and devise strategies not only to resolve the existing pendency but also to address the challenges that are causing the grievances in the first place.' And fifth, Sitharaman said, is to 'undertake region-wise performance reviews to help identify factors hindering performance and streamline operations through indicators such as grievance disposal and orders giving effect issuance.' Calling the Income Tax Day 'the moment when we reaffirm the unsaid social contract between the state and the taxpayer,' Sitharaman said this contract must not be allowed to 'fray at the edges' or 'become loose, become diluted.' She urged officials to raise the benchmark and ensure that the reform process is matched by efficient delivery on the ground. In addition, the Finance Minister lauded the drafting of the new Income Tax Bill as the first-ever comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act since 1961. She said that several members of the select committee of the Lok Sabha had informally appreciated the drafting of the IT Bill 2025. She expressed hope that 'Parliament actually looks at the good work done… we will welcome the suggestions by honourable members and… expect with enough engagement, discussion, and debate in the House… this bill… passes through Parliament's scrutiny.'
NDTV
09-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
Aviation Regulator DGCA Orders Audit Of Helicopter Services In Uttarakhand
Mumbai: Aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered special audits/enhanced surveillance into helicopter operations involved in shuttle services in Uttarakhand following a spate of "occurrences" involving choppers during the Char Dham Yatra, according to an official statement on Monday. As a precautionary measure, DGCA is also reviewing the necessity of "curtailing" helicopter operations to Char Dham if required, it said. On June 7, six people, including the pilot, had a narrow escape last Saturday when a Kestrel Aviation helicopter on its way to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on the highway in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand after developing a technical snag during take-off. DGCA has also intensified its oversight of Char Dham helicopter operations by actively monitoring live camera feeds provided by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) at Kedarnath, it said. Recently, multiple occurrences involving helicopter operations during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand have underscored the "necessity for further strengthening the safety oversight of these operations," the regulator said. Safety investigation has been initiated for each of these occurrences to identify contributing factors, including mechanical failures, operational errors, and weather-related challenges, according to the statement. "Reaffirming its steadfast commitment to aviation safety, DGCA is responding proactively on these occurrences and has ordered special audits/enhanced surveillance for helicopter operators involved in shuttle services and charter operations in Uttarakhand," it said. Additionally, it said, directives have been issued to all helicopter operators, restricting operations to OGE conditions till further order. "As a precautionary measure, DGCA is also reviewing the necessity of curtailing helicopter operations to Char Dham, if required," the DGCA said. On Monday, the DGCA said, two helicopter operators conducting shuttle and charter services to Kedarnath from their respective helipads failed to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), particularly regarding proper helicopter parking. "As a result, swift action was taken, and their operations were suspended for two hours," it said. According to the regulator, any deviation from the SOPs by helicopter operators is detected in real time, which allows immediate corrective measures. Emphasising that it has a "zero tolerance" policy for safety violations, the regulator said in its latest enforcement action the operations of Kestrel Aviation Pvt Ltd in Uttarakhand has been suspended with immediate effect, pending investigation. This is further to suspension of operations of another operator for safety violations in May, it said, without naming the operator.
