New Delhi, Dec 8 (FN Bureau) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said revenue officers should understand the difficulties of tax payers and work with empathy. The Speaker made the statement after inaugurating the appreciation course in Parliamentary Processes and Procedures for the Indian Revenue Service Probationers of 75th Batch IRS in the Parliament House Complex here. Mentioning ‘One Nation, One Taxation’, Birla said GST has strengthened the indirect tax system in India and use of technology in direct taxation has made it a faceless system which is more quicker and more transparent. He urged the officers to use technology to make people’s lives better. Speaking on the role of revenue service officers, Birla said they should work for expanding the tax base and prevent tax evasion. At the same time, tax payers should be respected for their contributions to the nation, Birla emphasised. Revenue officers should encourage honest tax payers and discourage those who are evading taxes, Birla observed.
“Our Constitution has given a robust system of governance, it is our responsibility to further strengthen it and also to strengthen our economy and society. A strong, transparent and accountable economic system leads to growth and equitable development,” the Speaker said as he urged the officers to work with honesty and sincerity to ensure that fruits of development reach the last person in the society. Expressing happiness, Birla noted that this year India has assumed G-20 Presidency and the theme of the next G-20 Summit “One Earth, One Family, One Future” is in line with India’s philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. India will lead the world in future and will assume global leadership, the speaker added.