Powers of phone tapping continue to remain with us: CBDT

"They (Phone tapping powers) continue to remain with us. The circumstances in which those powers were given to Income Tax (department), there is not even a slightest change in factual background of those circumstances," CBDT Chairman Sudhir Chandra told reporters here today, when he was asked about media reports that the powers of the Income Tax Department of phone tapping are being withdrawn.

It was the Income Tax Department which conducted the phone tapping of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia. After this episode, Indian companies had raised concerns over the phone tapping powers enjoyed by the Department by dubbing them as infringement of privacy.

"If you say the powers (phone tapping) are being withdrawn, then the question arises then as to why powers were given (to Income Tax Department)," he questioned.

CBDT Chairman Sudhir Chandra was here in connection with inauguration of new building of Income Tax Department here today.