As the Income Tax department goes about dousing flames in the governments burning revenue woes, its own house seems to be on fire.

The department, which recently made news for failing to achieve its revenue target of Rs. 5.85 lakh crore for the financial year 2011-12, is facing an

agitation by its employees.
The I-T staff are agitated over the issue of a severe manpower shortage in the department, and a perceived reluctance on the part of the central board of direct taxes (CBDT) chairman to address their grievances.

The tax payer is set to suffer by the nationwide agitation, that began on Thursday. The I-T employees have now decided to go on a mass dharna across India on May 8.

Initially, it is a symbolic agitation, but well go for direct action, including strikes, if the CBDT chairman doesnt meet us and fails to address our grievances, as its affecting our work,  president, Income Tax Employees Federation (Delhi), Ashok Kuamr Kanojia told HT.

Assessment, recovery, survey and search operations are affected due to shortage staff. Taxpayers are already complaining of delays in getting refunds, receiving incorrect demand notices and rectification work.

The joint council of action (JCA) of the I-T staff has sent a 16-point charter of demands to CBDT chairman. There are issues of long pending promotions, fresh appointments, cadre restructuring etc, which needs to be redressed, JCA co-convener KP Rajagopal told Hindustan Times.