The finance ministry is likely to continue with its four-page 2F income-tax return forms, despite severe criticism from the Parliamentary standing committee on finance.

In its report last week, the standing committee had recommended withdrawal of Form 2F and the cash-flow statements from Forms 2, 2F and 3, all meant for various categories of individual taxpayers and Hindu Undivided Families.

It had also asked the ministry to revert to the earlier one-page Form 2E, called Naya Saral, leaving adequate space for furnishing all details.

A finance ministry official said, While we have taken into consideration the committees report, we do not plan to withdraw Form 2F or change it any way.

Commenting on the new form, the committee had said, Form 2F is quite cumbersome and lengthy and is fit to be called kathin, instead of being an improved version of the earlier Naya Saral Form. The Form 2F, introduced on June 1, aims to replace the earlier one-page Form 2E or Naya Saral for salaried individuals.

The new form as well as the cash-flow statement, the official said, was aimed at primarily making filing returns easier. The statement would help the tax authorities obtain all income-related details without being intrusive, he said.