Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, the Finance Secretary, retires at the end of this month. He has been in the Finance Ministry for four years and held the specific responsibility of the Revenue Secretary for the last three years. As Secretary, Financial Services, Dr. Adhia showed his leadership in implementation of various social security programmes of the government through banking services. His contributions in successfully accomplishing the Mudra Yojana has been laudable.
His tenure as the Revenue Secretary will be remembered for various initiatives where he provided the bureaucratic leadership in shaping and implementation of the policy. The campaign against black money both within and outside the country was the initial highlight of the Revenue Department. The Income Tax department now functions online with no physical interface between the assessee and the assessment official.
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 smoothening of the rough edges were also achieved in a record time.
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.
Dr. Hasmukh Adhia executed these steps with calm and professionalism. He was unquestionably a highly competent, disciplined, no-nonsense civil servant and of course, with impeccable integrity. His only diversion from his duties was his passion for spirituality and yoga.
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.
I wish him all the best for his post retirement life. Thank You Dr. Adhia.