India 2018

Finance 251
that have been incorporated to make it more user friendly, informative and
useful, are -
Major Citizen Friendly Initiatives:
Aayakar Sewa Kendra:
The 12 report of 2nd ARC aimed at Citizen Centric Governance with the aid of
modern technology. The setting up of ASKs is a step in this direction. Aayakar
Sewa Kendra (ASK) is the single window system for implementation of Citizen's
Charter of the Income Tax Department and a mechanism for achieving excellence
in public service delivery. All communications as well as returns received in
ASK mandate timely disposal which can be monitored and reviewed at the
highest level. This ensures that a robust architecture of e-Governance is installed
and sustained in the Income Tax Department.
Aayakar Setu:
The use of smart phone is increasing day by day. With the objective to enhance
tax payer services and mobile access experience, a mobile app (available on
Android/IOS platform) and responsive version of the Tax Payer Services (TPS)
section at the national website called "Aayakar Setu" was launched in 2017.
"Aayakar Setu" would facilitate the online payment of the taxes, calculation of
taxes, removal of grievances through login to the e-Nivaran module, information
about the TPS hierarchy, ASK IT module, Tax Gyaan, TDS/TRACES and other
features.
TDS SMS alert Scheme:
CBDT has put in place a mechanism for real-time communication to taxpayers
(deductees) about information of TDS deduction/deposit by their respective
employers or deductors. In order to provide better taxpayer services by
providing timely and accurate data to the taxpayers, the scheme for SMS alert
to the salaried employees on a quarterly basis has been launched.
Publicity Campaigns
Since, last many years, the Department has shifted its communication strategy
to portray itself, not, as a purely enforcement agency but also as a taxpayer
facilitator, service provider and major contributor in nation building. This
strategy has allowed the Department to communicate effectively with the
taxpayers acknowledging their contribution in building a secure, progressive
and developed nation.Several publicity campaigns were carried out in F.Y. 2016-
17 which included campaigns for awareness of due dates of payment of
Advance Tax, Filing of Returns, Filing of TDS Statements and Issuance of TDS
Certificates, Filing of Annual Information Return, Services of TRPs, Vigilance
Awareness Week, Income Declaration Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Yojana, demonetization and publication of names of chronic defaulters.