Chronicles of a taxman, an immensely likeable book

Dr Dalip Singh

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There are some subjects that do not bring much joy, tax being one of them. One reads about taxes out of academic or professional obligation. Taxmen are a species that are feared and loathed. Well, these stereotyped perceptions will be thrown out of the window when one reads Ajay Mankotia’s book ‘There’s Seven For You, Three For Me: Chronicles of a Taxman’.

Mankotia, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer who served in various positions in the Income Tax Department, surprisingly humanises the taxman by narrating his experiences of a 26-year-long career (1982-2008) in this memoir.

The author’s memory is commendable as he recounts minute details of some very interesting episodes. The income-tax raid stories, especially those on some prominent Bollywood celebrities, business houses and political bigwigs are very entertaining. The reader will be hooked as Mankotia recounts the various threats he and his team faced from various politicians and strongmen. Also, the way tax evaders found imaginative places to hide ill-gotten cash and jewellery will surprise you. Do look out for his ‘number teen ka paisa’ anecdote. There are a couple of chapters where he recounts what the family of a taxman had to go through. They make for a wonderful read too.

Mankotia’s style of writing is entertaining as well as informative. He gives an interesting glimpse into the making of and operating conditions of the most-revered tax officials of the country. There are spicy anecdotes of the rich, famous and powerful people with the taxman. Mankotia also provides educative and informative thoughts on the various tax-related policies and possible reforms that make the juggernaut of the Indian Revenue Services.

The racy, at times irreverent and tongue-in-cheek, style of Mankotia’s writing always has a sub-text of a serious commentary on the typical life of a taxman. His narration is frank and unpretentious. The way he has managed to create such an entertaining account of life in a service that most people consider routine and drab is really praiseworthy. He has none of the haughtiness that one generally associates with ‘babudom’. His sharp insights are thankfully not platitudes.

Apart from the intriguing title, one is immediately impressed by the endorsements and high praises Mankotia has received from stalwarts like Shashi Tharoor and Jug Suraiya. Tharoor says: “Ajay Mankotia’s collection of stories offers a rare glimpse into the surprisingly colourful experiences of the officers in the tax department, through an array of anecdotes that are in equal parts entertaining and farcical. Through these entertaining chronicles of the taxman, the reader is invited into a world peppered with absurdity, humour and intrigue; and, ultimately, a highly readable and inimitable account of the travails of the tax department in India.”

‘There’s Seven For You, Three For Me’ is an extremely entertaining read and highly recommended. The flawless editing and quality of production are worth mentioning. The hardback has a very catchy and minimalistic cover.

(The reviewer is State Election Commissioner, Haryana)