India Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Calls for Faster Tax Services

On 27 July 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 13‑storey Aaykar Sindhu building for the Income Tax Department at Nariman Point, Mumbai. Addressing department officials, she urged them to ensure taxpayers do not have to "run from pillar to post" for services, citing the department’s own delays in obtaining clearances for the new office as a lesson.

Sitharaman criticised the "laid‑back" functioning of some government bodies, highlighted illegal encroachments on land allotted to the department since 1973, and warned that such negligence hinders asset management. She also raised concerns about the shortage of official residential accommodation for tax officers in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, noting many endure long daily commutes.

The minister emphasized that officials should facilitate legitimate requests efficiently without bypassing rules, aiming to make citizen‑centric governance a priority.