Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a)   whether it is a fact that there fund orders issued by various Income Tax Officers in Delhi are dispatched both through the post offices and courier agencies more than a month after they are signed by the concerned ITOs;

(b)   if so, the reasons therefor;

(c)   whether there are any orders/directions that such refund orders be issued at the earliest;

(d)   if so, the details thereof and why such instructions are not followed; and (€) whether any action is taken against those responsible for causing such delay, if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

(SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(a)   No, Sir. The refunds are issued and dispatched through post offices within one month from the date of signing by the Assessing Officer. However, refunds pertaining to the jurisdiction of Commissioners of Income Tax, Delhi-IX, XIV, XV and XVI are issued directly by State Bank of India under Refund Banker Scheme.

 (b)   Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above.

 (c)   Yes, Sir.

 (d)   As per the instructions, the refunds are to be issued within four` months from the date of receipt of return and dispatched within 30 days from the date of signing. However, in some cases the instructions could not be followed due to reasons attributable to assesses like –

1. Non-quoting or wrong quoting of PAN number by the assesses
2. Non-furnishing of bank account details by the assesses
3. Pending de-duplication of PAN.

(e)    Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above.