Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has emerged as a peacemaker. On Saturday, when a delegation of IRS officers called upon him to list out their problems and grievances, he assured it that Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia will no longer chair the weekly Video Conference on IDS with Pr Chief Commissioners. Also, punitive transfers and unwarranted disciplinary actions against a few officers would be reversed. May it be recalled that the IRS officers have been seriously agitated over the perceived micro-management by the Revenue Secretary of tax administration of the country. Following the abrupt transfer of a senior tax official for having posted an advance tax notice to a big private sector bank, tax officials convened a meeting on July 22 and passed a resolution, decrying the denial of operational freedom to them. Instead of attending to the genuine concerns of tax officials, unfortunately, the Finance Ministry issued a stern warning threatening action against what it saw as a case of 'insubordination" and "misconduct". In the representation to AJ, the IRS Association urged him to  ensure that the CBDT, whose powers and functions emanate from Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963 & Income Tax Act, 1961, is facilitated to administer Direct Tax policies of the Government, strictly according  to the Acts. It also asked him to urgently address the issue of serious manpower shortages at supervisory levels and that promotion at all levels should be carried out without any further delay. The representation also highlighted the following points:  Empanelment at Joint Secretary level and above should be expedited and there should be parity with IAS. Parity in Pay should be granted and 2 additional increments on promotion to STS, JAG and Selection Grade should also be given to IRS officers. The IRS officers delegation explained to the FM the circumstances surrounding the issues at Mumbai, it called upon him to reverse the punitive transfers effected and disciplinary action initiated against some officers. The Finance Minister is said to have given a very patient hearing to the delegation and empathized with the concerns of the officers and gave the assurance that the issues raised will be suitably addressed. In view of the positive response and understanding shown by the Finance Minister in the meeting with the delegation, and also keeping in view the ongoing crucial Government projects including the Income Declaration Scheme(IDS), the IRS Association(All India body) has advised its Mumbai Unit to suspend the ongoing agitation, which started with passing of the Resolution dated 22nd July 2016 by the Mumbai Unit of the Association. The Association further assured the Minister that the IRS officers all over the country including those at Mumbai have the deepest respect for him and were fully committed towards the goals of the Government including revenue collection and providing the best services to the taxpayers. In a Quick Take comment, Indianmandarins has impressed upon the Finance Ministry not to weaken the hands that fill its coffers and called for a conciliatory approach to resolving the problem. Clearly, the advice was taken in good spirit and implemented. By Rakesh Ranjan (editor-in-chief)