Tax Officials should promise to respect the Doctors' Day

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: 1st July 2005 was an important day. You could not have missed the banners of Happy Doctors' Day. It was the day for people to show respect and appreciation to the Doctors who care for them or their loved ones. Incidentally, in America the Doctors Day is celebrated on the 30th March, as it is on that day that an American, Dr. Crawford W. Long became the first physician to use anesthesia in an operation that he performed to remove a tumor from a patient's neck on March 30, 1842.The Doctors' Day was first observed in March 30, 1933. In India, the Doctors' Day is celebrated on 1st July to commemorate the birth anniversary of eminent physician and the great Indian Dr. B.C.Roy.

But is anything common between a Doctor and a tax official. Conceivably not, except perhaps that the interface with any one of them is not so welcome. Be that as it may, on 1st July 2005, the Central Excise Department launched a nation wide campaign to assure good 'tax health' to its assessees. On this day, Help Centres were set up in all Central Excise Commissionerates for which wide publicity was given in the media. The objective is to guide the assessees in the understanding and compliance of central excise law and procedures. One novel feature of the Help Centres is that they are invariably located in the premises of an Industry Association and not in government building. Even though the Centres would be manned by the excise officials for providing assistance to the taxpayers, the very fact they are located in the 'private sector' would reduce the psychological fear of an assessee to approach the 'Doctor". This indeed is a welcome step. One hopes that it would induce much greater voluntary compliance.

It must however be said that much would depend upon the quality of guidance and the spirit of service. It is not uncommon that new schemes are launched with great fanfare but they lose their efficacy and credibility in no time. Posting of competent officials well trained in public relations holds the key for the much-desired success of the new venture. The Revenue Department should be mindful of the fact that often such 'non-sensitive' places become the dumping ground for posting incompetent and unwanted officials. The help Centres should be esthetically furnished and fully equipped with computers and latest books and manuals on the subject.