Bypassing chain of command: strict action to be taken against Customs Deputy, Additional Collectors

The Chief Collector of Customs (North) has warned Collectors of Customs of Model Customs Collectorates (MCCs) that strict disciplinary action would be taken against the Deputy or Additional Collectors, who will issue orders and policy directives without approval of the competent authority.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Monday that the Chief Collector of Customs (North) took this decision in the Collectors of Customs Conference held on June 13, 2011 to review the performance of the North region vis-a-vis the target assigned for revenue collection and anti-smuggling operations.
The conference also evaluated a strategy not only to achieve but surpass the target assigned for the financial year 2010-11. According to the decisions of the conference, the Chief Collector expressed displeasure over the trend that is emerging in the North region whereby the Additional Collectors, without taking approval from the Collector or bringing it to the knowledge of their respective Collectors, have issued some independent Orders and Policy directives, which is against the office discipline and decorum. All Collectors of the North Region were advised to maintain proper discipline and decorum in their respective Collectorates.
The Chief Collector warned the Collectors that in future if any Deputy or Additional Collector bypasses or surpasses the chain of command, strict disciplinary action against the delinquent officer will be taken under E&D Rules 1973 read with RSO 2000, sources added.
They said that the Collectors, MCC, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Lahore and Islamabad assured the Chief Collector (North) that all-out efforts would be made to achieve the assigned targets. Shortfall is expected at MCC Sambrial and Multan. Collectors, MCC Sambrial and Multan were strictly warned to ensure achievement of the annual target by formulating strategy for the remaining 19 days of the current fiscal year. During the Third Collector's Conference of the North Region, a brief review, analysis and up-to-date performance of the North Region was brought to the knowledge of all the participants.
Sources said that a shortfall of Rs 2954 million is expected in the overall revenue collection against the assigned target for the current financial year due to the lagging behind of the target by the Model Collectorate of Multan and Sambrial. The Chief Collector identified that an amount of about Rs 22 billion is stuck up. It was pointed out that by recovering 9 percent of the stuck-up revenue, the shortfall can be bridged and it is doable. All Collectors were advised to make all-out personal efforts to effect 9 percent recovery of stuck-up revenue to achieve the target for Financial Year 2010-11 and recoup the shortfall, which is expected on account of MCC Sambrial and Multan.
On the issue of anti-smuggling operations, sources said that all Collectors assured the Chief Collector (North) that the assigned targets would be achieved by June 30, 2011.
Taking into consideration the satisfactory performance of MCC, Peshawar, by exceeding the target of seizures of smuggled goods, the target assigned to Collector MCC Peshawar in respect of contraband items was reduced from Rs 900 million to Rs 750 million, sources said. Sources added that the Chief Collector appreciated the performance of Collector, MCC, Sambrial and Collector, MCC, Peshawar, for not only achieving but surpassing the target assigned to them in respect of smuggled vehicles.