Critism of GSTN

The Centre has warned its  employees that they could invite penal action if it is found that they are indulging  in criticism of its policies and actions. This presage came from the Union Finance Ministry amid a sustained campaign by the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) and All India Association of Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officers, for changes in Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), a private company tasked with creating Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and composition of GST council secretariat for new tax regime.

“Of late, it has been noticed that some associations or federations have commented adversely on the government and its policies. It may be brought to the notice of all associations or federations that if anyone indulges in criticism of the government and its policies, appropriate action (including disciplinary action) shall be taken,” a memo  issued recently by Finance Ministry said.

It cited service rules tinkered in June, covering the social media as well, that bar a government servant from making any adverse criticism of any policy or action of the government.

The Ministry said the primary objective of service associations is to promote common service interest of its members. The service rules were amended in June making it clear that disapproval of government policies on social media also amounted to violation of conduct rules. And the threat of disciplinary action extends to caricatures that are uncharitable to the government.

Earlier rule book spoke about criticism made in a radio broadcast, public media (such as a television ) or documents . It will be applicable to anonymous and pseudonymous posts by officials too.

The recent memo of the Finance Ministry capped weeks of unrest among officers and cadre of the Excise and Revenue Department officials over a number of issued related to roll out of the GST regime.

The central government holds 24.5 per cent stake in GSTN, while state governments together hold another 24.5 per cent. The balance 51 per cent equity is with non-government financial institutions, like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and LIC Housing Finance.

--  Courtesy Hindu