Ahmedabad I-T officials’ poll duty gaffe rectified

The gaffes in requisition of Income Tax officials for the election duty have been rectified, a senior office bearer of Income Tax Officials' Association said.

Close to 200 I-T officers and employees were requisitioned for the upcoming municipal poll duty by the district election office. However, it was alleged that several errors were committed in the requisition orders.

The Income Tax Gazetted Officers' Association alleged that many group III employees of I-T department were made presiding officers for the polls, while income tax officers, who are senior in grade and pay, were made polling officers.

People who were never in the I-T department were also requisitioned, while names of many retired officials were also included in the list.

The association, while stating that its members were ready for election duty, had written to State Election Commissioner and other officers seeking steps to rectify the errors.

"This was not the first time such a thing happened, as I-T officers have faced similar humiliation in the past too," said Vivek Johri, joint secretary of the association.

"But, we are glad that the issue has been amicably resolved. Many income tax officers have been made presiding officers as we had sought, while the rest have been kept on reserve duty," Johri added.

Johri said that the district election officer issued a fresh list making changes sought by the association.