The Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Shri K. Kailashnathan, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in 167th Income Tax Day at Kalaivanar Arangam Chennai on 24 July 2026. The event commemorated the rich legacy of the Income Tax Department and recognized its continued commitment to nation-building through efficient tax administration and taxpayer service.

  

          Shri Sunil Bajpai, IRS, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, delivered the welcome address and mentioned that, during the last financial year 2025-26,  Tamil Nadu & Puducherry region has achieved a net collection of ₹1,41,546 crore against the budget target of ₹1,29,200 crore, exceeding the target by more than ₹12,000 crore and has registered a healthy growth of 14.2% over the previous year, corporate tax collections grew by 28.83%, gross collections crossed ₹1,68,700 crore.  The department also significantly reduced arrear demand by nearly ₹49,000 crore. 

   

          These achievements not belong to any individual, but to an entire ecosystem—our dedicated officers and staff, honest taxpayers, deductors, reporting entities, and the tax professionals who work tirelessly to facilitate voluntary compliance.  These accomplishments also reflect the remarkable transformation of the Income Tax Department into a modern, technology-driven and taxpayer-centric organisation.

  

          Further, he professed that, when a taxpayer honestly pays taxes, when a deductor faithfully fulfils statutory responsibilities, when a tax professional helps taxpayers comply with the law, and when an officer administers that law fairly and efficiently, each is participating in a common national Yagya.  The beneficiary of that Yagya is our Devata—our nation. 

  

          During the event, the 'Pledge of Service' was administered by Shri. Sunil Bajpai, IRS, Pr. CCIT, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, to the officers and officials of the Income Tax Department, Chennai. An audio-visual presentation highlighting the achievements of the Income Tax Department, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry was also screened during the programme.

  

          The Chief Guest, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Shri K. Kailashnathan, delivered the special address and shared that he himself belongs to the 1978 batch of the Civil Services. Speaking on the occasion, he lauded the Income Tax Department for commemorating a monumental milestone in the nation's journey. He noted that it was on this very day in 1860 that the modern Income Tax system was introduced in India. Over the past 166 years, the institution has undergone a remarkable transformation. What began during the colonial era as an instrument of resource extraction has evolved into a pillar of social equity, economic self-reliance, and national development in independent India.

 

Quoting the timeless wisdom of ancient India, he observed that the treasury is the backbone of good governance and administration. He emphasized that every officer and official of the Income Tax Department, by discharging their duties with dedication, integrity, and empathy, is rendering a sacred service that strengthens the Republic and contributes to nation-building.

  

The Lieutenant Governor also lauded the Income Tax Department for being at the forefront of administrative and taxpayer-centric reforms over the past decade. He observed that the Department had emerged as a model of innovation, transparency, and efficient governance, and remarked that other Government Departments as well as State Governments could emulate the reforms and best practices implemented by the Income Tax Department.

The Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor also mentioned that, while several developed countries, including the United Kingdom, continue to face challenges in their tax collection systems, India has established a robust, efficient, and well-functioning tax administration. He commended the Income Tax Department for its significant role in strengthening the country's tax ecosystem through sustained reforms, technological innovation, and improved taxpayer services.

Highlighting the significance of the Income Tax Act, 2025, he pointed that with effect from 1st April 2026, the Income Tax Act, 2025 came into force, replacing the Income-tax Act, 1961. He described it as India's first comprehensive rewrite of its direct tax statutory law in 65 years, reflecting the Government's commitment to a simpler, more transparent, and taxpayer-friendly tax regime.

He further noted that, under the leadership of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and the dedicated efforts of the entire team of the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Region, the Department had delivered an outstanding performance during FY 2025–26. He remarked that the Region had set a benchmark for excellence in public administration through its commitment to efficient tax administration and taxpayer service.

As the Department embarks on the challenges and opportunities of FY 2026–27, he urged all officers and staff to carry forward the momentum under the continued leadership of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He extended his best wishes to the Department, expressing confidence that it would continue to scale greater heights of operational excellence. He concluded by calling upon everyone to march forward together in realizing the vision of a strong, self-reliant, and fully developed Viksit Bharat.

          The Chief Guest, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Shri K. Kailashnathan, honoured the Department's sportspersons who have represented India with distinction at the international level in disciplines including Athletics, Badminton, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Para Swimming, Bodybuilding, and Volleyball. In recognition of their outstanding sporting achievements and exemplary contribution to Indian sports, they were presented with Certificates of Appreciation and Medals.

          Shri. Arun C. Bharat, IRS, DGIT (Investigation), Chennai, delivered the vote of thanks.

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TV/RJ

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