President Calls for Efficient, Hassle-Free Tax Collection to Support National Development

New Delhi, November 26: Officer trainees of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes), belonging to the 76th batch, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.

Addressing the trainees, the President said revenue collection plays a central role in nation-building, as it finances critical areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare and social welfare. She told the officers that they are active participants in India’s development process and emphasised that tax collection should be carried out with minimal inconvenience to taxpayers.

The President noted that as officers of the Revenue Service, they will shoulder multiple responsibilities — acting as administrators, investigators, facilitators of trade and enforcers of law. She described them as sentinels of India’s economic frontiers, responsible for protecting the country against smuggling, financial fraud and illicit trade, while simultaneously enabling legitimate commerce and global trade partnerships.

Highlighting the need for balance between enforcement and facilitation, she urged the officers to strengthen systems that are transparent, accountable and driven by technology. Integrity and fairness, she said, must remain the foundation of their professional conduct.

The President added that the new generation of officers is expected to be innovative, analytical and technologically adept as they support India’s rapidly growing economy.