Issue of TDS Certificate by Head Postmasters – reg.

Dear  Comrades,

This is regarding issue of TDS certificates by Head Postmasters. As you are aware, this Divisional Union is continuously writing not only to our Divisional administration but to the Circle Union and CHQ for arriving at a permanent solution. Though we have already discussed the issue with the SSPOs, Bhubaneswar Division  several times during the monthly union meetings and the SSPOs in turn has directed the Sr. Postmaster, Bhubaneswar GPO, nothing has been achieved yet.

In this regard, our CHQ  has written to the Secretary ( Posts ) in response to our letter dated 7^th July, 2012. Both the letters are reproduced below for information of our beloved members.

Copy of Divisional Union letter dated 07.07.2012 to CHQ :

To

The General Secretary ( Officiating)

AIPEU, CHQ, New Delhi

No. UN-BN/AIPEU-Gr.-C/ 07 - 06/2012,                                                           Dated at  Bhubaneswar the 7^th July, 2012

Sub:-      Issue of TDS Certificate by Head Postmasters – reg.

Dear Comrade,

                This has a reference to CHQ’s letter No. P / 4-5/TDS & Income Tax, dated 30.06.2012 (posted in CHQ’s website on 06.07.2012) addressed to the Secretary (Posts) with request to relieve the Postmasters from filing of Income Tax  Return and issue of TDS certificate.

                In this context, I would like to request you to refer Para – 3 of S B order 20 / 2010 which is very much categorical that all tax deductors have to file quarterly returns (compulsorily e -filing  in case of Govt. office )  failing which penalty will be levied as per Para – 4 of the said order). And technically, the SPM and Postmasters are the real tax deductors for NSS, SCSS and SAS/MPKBY agents. The Head Postmasters who are the DDOs have been provided with TAN No., Book Identification Number, DDO Sequence Number etc. which are required for filing. Thus, so long as the above order will remain in force, the Head Postmasters are bound to file Income Tax Returns and Issue TDS Certificate.

                In this context, I would like to bring another aspect to your notice that due to non-filing of Income Tax Returns in time and non-issuance of TDS Certificate in Form-16 A by the DDOs, the SPMs and Postmasters of SOs/MDGs are being humiliated by the customers, Sr. Citizens and agents as well. The Customer does not know the DDO or anybody else except the Post Master where he / she is transacting for which he is demanding his TDS Certificate before the SPM/Postmaster and not before the DDO.

However, I do agree with you that due to shortage of staff in each Head Post office, the DDOs have failed to consolidate the daily schedules, compile and file the tax return in time and issue TDS Certificates.

                Unless Para – 3 of S B Order No.20/2010 is dropped or modified to suit the DDOs/Head Postmasters, it is not possible to run away from our responsibilities. Since the matter is linked with CBDT and related / applicable to all other financial institutions in the country, our effort in approaching the Secretary ( Posts) in relieving the Head Postmasters from filing of Income Tax  Return and issue of TDS certificate may not bring positive result.

                Thus, it is suggested to appeal the Secretary ( Posts) to issue instructions for getting the work done through outsourcing in the Accounts branch of every Head Post Office till the vacant posts are correctly filled in so that not only the customers but the SPMs / Postmasters of SOs/MDGs can be relieved.

Perhaps we have no other way left but to opt for outsourcing in such cases. To give uniform justice, we shall have to be practical since in spite of all our efforts department has already started outsourcing in many fields.