Unauthorized expansion of the scope of limited scrutiny-CBDT puts AOs violating instructions under suspension

Unauthorized expansion of the scope of limited scrutiny-CBDT puts AOs violating its instructions under suspension and advises all to comply with instructions

F.No. DGIT(Vig.)/HQ/Sl/2017-18
Government of India
Ministry of finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes

New  Delhi-11 0001
Dated:    30th November, 2017

Subject: Unauthorized expansion of the scope of limited scrutiny- instructions- reg.

CBDT has issued detailed guidelines/ directions for completion of cases of limited scrutiny selected through CASS module. These guidelines postulate that an Assessing Officer , in limited scrutiny cases, cannot travel beyond the issues for which the case was selected. The idea behind such stipulations was to enforce checks and balances upon powers of an AO to do fishing and roving inquiries in cases selected for limited scrutiny.

2. Further, the  guidelines  for  proper  maintenance  of  order  sheets  have  been  given  in  the Manual of Office  Procedure  issued  by  the  Directorate  of  Organisation  and  Management Services. The Manual  clearly  lays down:

A . The minutes of the hearing must be entered with date, in the order-sheet.

B. Make proper order-sheet  entries for each posting,  hearing  and seeking and granting of adjournments.

C. If nobody attends a hearing or the request for adjournment comes after the hearing date, enter the faccts in the order-sheet.

Maintenance  of a cursory and cryptic order sheet shows irresponsible , ad hoc and undisciplined working of any officer.

3. Instances have come to notice of CBDT where some Assessing Officers are travelling beyond their jurisdiction while making assessments in Limited Scrutiny cases by initiating inquiries on new issues without complying with mandatory requirements of the relevant CBDT Instructions dated 26.09.2014 , 29.12.2015 and 14.07.2016. These instances have been viewed very seriously by the CBDT and in one case the Central Inspection Team of the CBDT was tasked with examination of assessment records on receipt of allegations of several irregularities. Amongst other irregularities it was found that no reasons had been recorded for expanding the scope of limited scrutiny, no approval was taken from the PCIT for conversion of the limited scrutiny case to a complete scrutiny case and the order sheet was maintained very perfunctorily. This gave rise to a very strong suspicion of mala fide intentions. The Officer concerned has been placed under suspension.

In view of discussion in the preceding paragraphs it is once again reiterated that the Assessing Officers should abide by the instructions of CBDT while completing limited scrutiny assessments and should be scrupulous about maintenance  of note sheets in assessment folders.

(Rakesh Gupta)
ADG (V) HQ-I
New Delhi

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