New Delhi: The government today upgraded the posts of members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Central Board of Excise and Customs to the level of special secretary, which will ensure a salary of Rs 80,000 per month for them.

The members of the two boards will have the rank of special secretary and will be entitled to a fixed monthly salary of Rs 80,000,Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan told reporters here after a cabinet meeting.

"The decision will increase the number of special secretary level posts in the IRS, income tax, customs and central excise," he said.

Currently the members enjoy the rank of additional secretary.

While CBDT is responsible for collection of various direct taxes including income tax and corporate tax, the CBEC collects customs, central excise and service tax.

Apart from chairman, there are five members in the CBEC who look after customs and export promotion, central excise, budget and computerisation, personnel and vigilance and legal and judicial.

CBDT, in addition to chairman, has six members who look after investigation, revenue and vigilance, legal and computerisation, income tax, audit, judicial and personnel and administration.

Source : PTI