On Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance released a statement informing of the government's decision to "compulsorily retire" 15 senior officers of the rank Principal Commissioner, Commissioner, Addl. Commissioner, Dy. Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner, among others, of the Indian Revenue Service (C&CE), with immediate effect.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (j) of Rule 56 of the Fundamental Rules, the President of India has retired 15 officers of Indian Revenue Service (IRS)(C&CE) in public interest with immediate effect on completing 50 years of age," the statement said.

A PTI report citing sources in the Finance Ministry said that these officers had corruption cases registered against them by the CBI or were involved in bribery, extortion and disproportionate assets cases.

The ordered named all the 15 officers and their designation. Among those dismissed were Anup Srivastava, Principal ADG, Delhi Zonal Unit at DG(Audit), Atul Dikshit, Commissioner (already under suspension), Sansar Chand, Commissioner (AR), CESTAT, Kolkata and Gaddala Sree Harsha, Commissioner, DGPM, Chennai.

In the last 8 days, a total of 27 tax officials (all from the Indian Revenue Service) have been shown the door. The "clause (j) of Rule 56 of the Fundamental Rules" as mentioned in the Finance Ministry's statement allows the President to retire officials with immediate effect. It covers Group A&B officers who have entered service before attaining 35 years of age and are over 50 years of age at the time being retired.

The normal retirement age is 60 years.

The statement also said that the 15 officers would be paid "a sum equivalent to the pay and allowances for a period of three months calculated at the same rate at reach they are supposed to be withdrawing then (Pay & Allowances) immediately before their retirement."

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