New Delhi: Tax collection work was partially hit on Tuesday with a section of Income Tax Department staff going on a day-long strike in response to a call by trade unions.
Although the unions claimed that a large number of group `C`, group `D` employees and even gazetted officers were on strike, the Income Tax offices remained open and senior officials continued with their work.
"All our employees observed strike in solidarity with the major trade unions of the country," claimed Income Tax Employees Federation (ITEF) Additional Secretary A K Kanojia.
Kanojia said the employees went on strike in support of their demand which include time-bound promotion and other service related issues.
"We also joined the ITEF employees from 2pm and a walk out was staged across income tax offices," Income Tax Gazetted Officers Association (ITGOA) general Secretary Basvanand said.
The I-T department has about 48,000 employees and more than 7,000 gazetted officers. It has two employees’ federations that went on strike.
However, an association of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) did not participate in today`s strike.
The ITEF, comprising personnel in junior ranks, and ITGOA are demanding that about 750 vacant posts of Assistant Commissioners be filled through promotion.
The I-T Department is responsible for collection of income tax, corporate tax, wealth tax and some other taxes under the direct taxes category.
Eleven major Central trade unions called for a day-long strike in support of their demand for better labour rights, end to the contract labour system, bringing workers in the unorganised sector under the social security net and pension
benefit for all workers.
PTI
