You all have heard my rantings about the Indian government organizations and the systems which do not work etc. so it is only fair that I let you all know about an incident which left me impressed and pleasantly surprised!
I was due a tax refund from the 2009-10 filing cycle. It had been quite a few years and nothing had happened about it. I really thought that it was a gone case. I thought that it was some thousands of rupees and the effort was not worth it. However on checking again I found out that the amount was substantial and could not be just left.
With help of my Dad I found in CA and requested him to follow up about the refund a few months back. The person was useless - coming up with excuses after another and nothing to show for weeks / months. Out of exasperation, I went to the Bangalore Income Tax office website and wrote an email with the relevant details. Within half an hour I received a response from the office stating that the matter will be pursued. Wow! response to an email from a government office and that too in 30 mins. I was impressed there itself but still i did not expect anything to happen further. I checked with the person who responded by when should I follow up and I got the response in 2 weeks. A person in a government office was talking to me....!!!!!!
After 2 weeks I checked again by sending another email and I got the response that the matter is under review and I need to check with a specific ward. My skepticism kicked in again - there starts the ping-pong match I thought and left it that. But to my surprise within 2 days I got an email requesting me to provide my bank details. I initially thought that it was a scam and googled the name of the person who was claiming to be the ITO. The Bangalore IT website confirmed him to be the ITO of my ward. I provided the bank details but did not hear anything after that. My hopes had arisen now so after a gap of 10 days I decided to check again. I sent an email requesting further update and I got the number of the ITO who I was requested to call and find out the progress. However before I could call him a cheque for the refund was received at home.
No running around, no bribes, no under table money exchange - a complaint, a few emails and follow up -> job done. Yes this was a government office. Hats off Bangalore Income Tax office! You impress!
I was due a tax refund from the 2009-10 filing cycle. It had been quite a few years and nothing had happened about it. I really thought that it was a gone case. I thought that it was some thousands of rupees and the effort was not worth it. However on checking again I found out that the amount was substantial and could not be just left.
With help of my Dad I found in CA and requested him to follow up about the refund a few months back. The person was useless - coming up with excuses after another and nothing to show for weeks / months. Out of exasperation, I went to the Bangalore Income Tax office website and wrote an email with the relevant details. Within half an hour I received a response from the office stating that the matter will be pursued. Wow! response to an email from a government office and that too in 30 mins. I was impressed there itself but still i did not expect anything to happen further. I checked with the person who responded by when should I follow up and I got the response in 2 weeks. A person in a government office was talking to me....!!!!!!
After 2 weeks I checked again by sending another email and I got the response that the matter is under review and I need to check with a specific ward. My skepticism kicked in again - there starts the ping-pong match I thought and left it that. But to my surprise within 2 days I got an email requesting me to provide my bank details. I initially thought that it was a scam and googled the name of the person who was claiming to be the ITO. The Bangalore IT website confirmed him to be the ITO of my ward. I provided the bank details but did not hear anything after that. My hopes had arisen now so after a gap of 10 days I decided to check again. I sent an email requesting further update and I got the number of the ITO who I was requested to call and find out the progress. However before I could call him a cheque for the refund was received at home.
No running around, no bribes, no under table money exchange - a complaint, a few emails and follow up -> job done. Yes this was a government office. Hats off Bangalore Income Tax office! You impress!
