Address by the President of India on the Occasion of Call on by the Probationary Officers of Indian Revenue Service (C&it), Indian Civil Accounts Service, Indian Defence Accounts Service, Indian Railway Accounts Service and Indian Post & Telecommunication

It gives me immense pleasure to meet the young civil servants today. You will be playing a major role in the government’s revenue administration and financial management system. You all have worked hard to enter these prestigious services and I congratulate you for your achievement.

As our governance system moves swiftly towards a more efficient, accountable and transparent administration and seamless service delivery, the Revenue Service and the various Accounts Services are going to play a much bigger role than before.

Dear young officers,

Two days ago, Union Budget 2023-24 was presented which gives an estimated account of the government's finances for the coming financial year. The Budget aims to create growth opportunities for citizens-especially the youth, inclusive development, and achieve many other national objectives. You all in your respective services have to ensure through accounting, auditing and budgeting, that every rupee of taxpayers’ money is used for the country’s development and well-being of people.

Dear officers of Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes)

You have a challenging job as officers responsible for collection and administration of indirect taxes of the government. In recent years, the implementation of a transformative measure in the form of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has revamped the Indian indirect tax administration. It is good news for our economy that India saw its second highest GST collection in January 2023 at nearly Rupees one lakh fifty six thousand crore. Your role in ensuring tax compliance is important as it will make critical contribution to economic growth and inclusive development. IRS Customs officers also act as guardians of ‘economic frontiers’ of the country and play a central role in dealing with issues of narcotics control, money laundering and tax evasion faced by the country.

You should remember that taxation is not just a vehicle for raising government revenue. It is critically important for economic and social development. Here I would highlight the completion of 60 years of the Customs Act, 1962. Your historic legacy should make you more determined to create an equally vital and great future.

Your role as administrators requires you to create systems and processes that are transparent and accountable. You must maintain a fine balance between your role as an enforcer of taxation laws and a partner and facilitator of businesses.

Dear officers of Civil, Defence, Railway and Post & Telecommunication Accounts Services,

Accounting is one of the major tools to enforce accountability in governance. A sound public financial management system is the very basis of good governance. Your services have the responsibility to build and maintain a robust financial management system that helps in carrying out smooth functioning of the government. So, your role in government is of great significance and you have to shoulder the responsibility with utmost commitment and relevant skills. In every part of the world, countries and institutions have been developing various types of integrated financial management systems and setting up new standards. We have to keep ourselves abreast with the best global practices and incorporate the best features of global systems in our financial system.

Your training provides a platform to foster a meaningful synergy among the various services. This opportunity of staying and learning together with officers from different services will be of great help to all of you throughout your career.

Dear probationary officers,

Your journey in the service will coincide with rise and growth of India as an economic superpower of the world. Your career journey goes ahead with nation’s journey through Amrit Kaal. India’s G20 Presidency is also testimony to India’s rising stature. As civil servants, you have a huge responsibility of being drivers of country’s economic growth.

There is a rising expectation among the people for greater efficiency in service delivery, along with transparency and accountability. To meet these expectations, it is imperative for the government departments to modernize their systems by making best use of Information & Communication Technology. Thus, keeping pace with the fast changing world of technology is an area of challenge. To maximize the reach of services, we need to keep updating our knowledge and systems. We have to see how best we can use technology to make our payment, accounting and tax collection systems smooth and seamless. IT tools have been used in auditing not only to uncover wrongdoings but also to evaluate and monitor the processes and outcomes of various government schemes.

I am sure that the young officers present here will put in all efforts not only to excel in their individual careers, but will also contribute to effective delivery of government services to the people of India. A nation progresses on the strength of its human resource, which mobilizes other physical resources in the best possible manner. I urge you all to discharge your duties with integrity and commitment and contribute towards nation building.

I wish you all a very bright future.

Thank you!   
Jai Hind!