The directive is from Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, who is putting in place a system of transfers that will clamp down on bribes and the use of other unfair means to obtain favourable transfers.

Singh is also expected to take a view on the report on transfer policy for revenue service officials prepared by Vijay Kelkar, adviser to the finance minister.

As a result, no transfer orders are expected for the indirect or direct tax departments except in an emergency. The ministry has not issued any posting orders after May 22, when the finance minister withdrew the transfers of 54 direct-tax officials.

The thinking in the ministry is that restarting procedures on the transfers without taking steps to arrest damages would lead to severe criticisms from members of Parliament, due to meet for the monsoon session on July 21.

A reason for abandoning plans for the usual mass transfers this year was the problem they would create if they were not served by June.

Singh is also expected to make several significant announcements for the revenue services at the chief commissioners' meeting slated for August, after the monsoon session of Parliament. He will address grievances on working conditions and other related issues.

Kelkar's report was submitted to Revenue Secretary Vinneeta Rai, Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman P L Singh and Central Board for Excise and Customs chairman A K Singh last week.

The report suggests that the responsibility for postings below board level should rest with the chairman and board members instead of being sent all the way up to the finance minister. Kelkar argued that this would introduce accountability of all the members in the transfer process.

The CBDT has about 3,900 officers of the rank of assistant commissioner and above, while the CBEC has 2,679 officers at the corresponding levels.