Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

23-November-2012 19:31 IST

Instances of alleged corruption for settlement of refund claims and complaints come to notice from time to time. Whenever any such instance or complaints comes to notice, the same is verified and if it is found to be correct, the concerned officers/officials have to face penal consequences depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.

The process of issue of refunds has been streamlined in the course of computerization and encouraging e-filing of returns for speedy processing and issue of refunds through refund banker scheme. A web based status tracking facility for refunds has also been launched.

The grievance redressal mechanism has been strengthened for ensuring prompt disposal of all such complaints.

Significant success has been achieved. An e-filed return claiming refund is now on an average processed within three to four months of its filing.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri S.S. Palanimanickam in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

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DSM/RS/ka

Tax refund transparency enhanced through web tracking to deter corrupt practices and speed refund processing. A web-based status tracking facility was launched to increase transparency in tax refund processing and check alleged corruption; verified allegations trigger penal consequences for concerned officers. Refund issuance has been streamlined by computerization, promotion of e-filing, and a refund banker scheme, while a strengthened grievance redressal mechanism supports prompt disposal of complaints and faster processing of e-filed refunds.