The Delhi Government has preponed the last date for applying for the posts of Commissioner VAT and Commissioner Excise from May 17 to May 10. In a circular issued to all Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries and HoDs, Rajendra Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister, has said that last date for receipt of application for the posts of Commissioner VAT and Commissioner Excise in the office of Principal Secretary (Services) is preponed to May 10.
In an experiment of sorts, the AAP Government has decided to appoint officers to top posts of two revenue generating departments — VAT and Excise — based on their ideas and skills to generate and collect more revenue to the State exchequer. Earlier, the last date for application was May 17. In the circular, the Government has asked eligible officers to apply for the top posts of VAT and Excise Departments.
This is the first time that the Government has issued a circular inviting application, along with a blueprint to generate more revenue, from IAS/DANICS. The AAP Government’s move may win a few accolades for this unprecedented move, but in reality it seems to be another publicity stunt. According to past practices, neither the State Governments (including Delhi) nor the Central Government has adhered to this kind of practice.
Traditionally, the VAT Commissioner post has been held by a senior IAS officer while the post of Excise Commissioner has gone to an IAS officer either promoted from DANICS or IAS with seven to eight years in service. Both the posts are considered very prestigious as they are the main revenue providers to the Delhi Government.
“Any officer once picked for the top post of either VAT or Excise gives excellent performance. The only different was that the previous Governments gave their full support and backing to the bureaucrats, said sources, adding such thing never happened in the history. “The Government cannot invite applications openly like the private sector,” said the sources. A committee headed by the Chief Minister will take a final decision. The Chief Minister himself will conduct interview of the selected candidates. The Government’s move has demoralised present VAT Commissioner Sanjiv Khirwal and Excise Commissioner Neeraj Semwal.