‘No Nonsense Civil Servant, Impeccable Integrity’: Hasmukh Adhia Refuses Plum Post-Retirement Posts, Retires On 30 November

As Finance secretary Dr Hasmukh Adhia is set to retire later this month, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley showered encomiums  on the key bureaucrat in a blog post by recalling his sterling contributions during his four year-stint in the finance ministry.

He described Dr. Adhia as “unquestionably a highly competent, disciplined, no-nonsense civil servant and of course, with impeccable integrity.”

Jaitley also confirmed that the outgoing finance secretary has refused offers of important post-retirement positions which would have helped him continue serving beyond November 30 when he superannuates.

According to the blog post, Dr. Adhia, a disciple of Swami Visharadanand Saraswati, wants to seriously pursue his interest in spirituality and spend the time with his family.

“The government wanted to use his capability and experience in some alternate capacity. He had informed me earlier this year that he would not work for a single day after the 30th of November 2018. His time thereafter belongs to his favourite passion and, of course, his son,” wrote Jaitley in his blog.

Adhia, who is believed to enjoy the trust both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Jaitley, was often subject to vicious criticism by Dr Subramanian Swamy and a particular section of the media.

Jaitley lauded the leadership provided by Dr. Adhia as Financial Services secretary in implementing various social security programmes of the government through banking services and contributions in successfully accomplishing the Mudra Yojana.

Jaitley noted that Dr. Adhia’s tenure as Revenue Secretary will be remembered for various policies and initiatives he conceptualised and implemented in the campaign against black money both within and outside the country. Jaitley also praised the digitisation initiatives during Dr Adhia’s tenure and said that now the Income Tax department has minimal physical interface between the assessee and the assessment official.

Jaitley also highlighted the stellar role played by Dr Adhia in rolling out GST. “Dr. Adhia’s term witnessed the historic constitutional amendment on the GST being approved. After the centre-state developing a consensus on the multiple GST legislations, drafting of rules and fixing tariffs, which was achieved in a short period of time. It was his efforts supported by his team of officers of centre and state governments, which made it possible to hit the deadline of 1st July 2017. Rate reductions and smoothing of the rough edges were also achieved in a record time.”

Jaitley also said that Dr. Adhia’s tenure saw an exponential increase in  tax base and the tax realisations. “He was ably supported by the two boards, CBDT and CBIC. The follow-up after demonetisation in detecting the large cash depositors and making them accountable was no mean challenge.” Jaitley added.