Centre Pulls Up Infosys Over Continuing Glitches In Income Tax Portal; Asks To Resolve Issues By Sept 15

Nirmala Sitharaman demanded that the issues faced by taxpayers on current functionalities of the e-filing portal should be resolved by the team by September 15, 2021. 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday met Infosys CEO Salil Parekh and raised concerns over the continuing glitches in the nation's new electronic tax filing portal. 

During the meeting, Sitharaman conveyed deep disappointment and concerns of Govt and taxpayers about continuing glitches in the e-filing portal of Income Tax Department even after two and half months since its launch. The Union Minister sought to know the reasons for not resolving the snags in the portal even after two-and-a-half-months since its launch. 

Sitharaman emphasised that there is need for putting in more resources and efforts on the part of Infosys so that the much delayed delivery of agreed services is ensured. The Chief executive was also sensitised on the difficulties that the taxpayers were facing and the problems that are arising on account of the delays in the functioning of the portal. 

She demanded that the issues faced by taxpayers on current functionalities of the e-filing portal should be resolved by the team by September 15, 2021. 

Developed by Infosys Ltd, the new income tax e-filing portal 'www.incometax.gov.in'went live on June 7 but was not accessible on August 21 and 22 till late evening. It came back after what the tech major described was an "emergency maintenance".

Infosys MD Salil Parekh explained the Finance Minister that he and his team are doing everything to ensure smooth functioning of the portal. He said over 750 team members are working on this project and Infosys COO Pravin Rao is personally overseeing this project. He also ensured that Infosys is working expeditiously to ensure a glitch-free experience to the tax payers.

It is to be noted that this is the second time that Sitharaman has met the Infosys team over the issue. She had on June 22 met Parekh and COO Pravin Rao.