UT nod to 2 new AETC posts, eyes Rs 4,500cr revenue goal

Deepak.Yadav@timesofindia.comChandigarh: In a key administrative step aimed at strengthening the excise and taxation department, Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has approved the creation of two new posts of assistant excise and taxation commissioner (AETC) on deputation from the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. The decision is intended to improve the overall functioning of the department.Apart from the addition of the two AETC posts, Chandigarh administration has also received two excise and taxation officers (ETOs) from Haryana govt. In addition, three excise and taxation inspectors (ETIs) from the Punjab govt have joined the department. After the creation of the two AETC posts, the UT joint excise and taxation officer formally wrote to both the Punjab and Haryana govts, requesting them to send panels of officers for consideration. As per the letter, copies of which are with TOI, the Chandigarh administration sought a panel of at least three eligible officers to fill the two temporary AETC posts on deputation. These appointments will initially be for one year and can be extended for up to two years.The letter specified that the recommended officers should not have attained the age of 55 years. It also sought the officers' annual confidential reports (ACRs) for the past five years, along with a certification stating that no departmental or vigilance proceedings are pending or contemplated against them.Officials said the strengthening of manpower in the excise and taxation department has become essential as it is the largest revenue-generating department of the Chandigarh administration. The Union ministry of finance has fixed a revenue target of around Rs 4,500 crore for the UT for the new financial year 2026-27. This target is to be achieved through GST, state excise, sales tax and VAT — all of which fall under the purview of the excise and taxation department.An official of the Chandigarh administration said that meeting such a high revenue target requires effective ground work, along with constant and close monitoring of taxpayers. "There is a dire need for adequate officers and staff to ensure efficient administration and effective revenue collection. ETOs and ETIs from the neighbouring state govts have already joined, they have been allotted their respective works," the official told TOI.At present, only one AETC from the UT cadre posted in the excise and taxation department has been handling all key affairs and day-to-day operations of the department. With the approval of two additional AETCs on deputation, officials said work will now be divided among three officers, helping ease the workload that was previously concentrated on a single officer.A senior Chandigarh administration official said that with the addition of two AETCs, responsibilities related to GST, excise, VAT and establishment matters will be clearly bifurcated among the three officers. "Bifurcation of work will reduce the immense burden on one officer and is expected to improve productivity as well as deliver more effective results," the official added.Box: The new joineesThe two officers who have joined from Haryana are Ramanjit Singh and Rameshwer Dahiya Excise and taxation inspectors from the Punjab govt are Shaveen Jain, Gurpreet Singh Koney and Mandeep Singh Minhas. Officers from Haryana and Punjab have been selected for an initial period of one year, which may be extended for up to two more years Box: Fixed revenue targets of key wings of the excise and taxation department (FY 2026-27)GST (Goods and Services Tax): Rs 2,892 croreState Excise: Rs 1,000 croreSales Tax and VAT: Rs 610 croreMSID:: 130040051 413 |