IPMU to check corruption within FBR

Board-in-Council of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Friday decided to operationalise Integrity & Performance Management Unit (IPMU) to check corruption within the tax machinery. When contacted, sources said that the FBR had created Integrity & Performance Management Unit (IPMU) in the past to introduce internal monitoring controls to combat corruption within the organisation and placed checks to ensure integrity of employees through evaluation of their performance.
In the past, Board-in-Council in its meeting held on April 30, 2014 has decided to establish Integrity & Performance Management Unit (IPMU) at HR Wing, FBR HQs. Now, the Board-in-Council in 2017 has operationalised its Integrity & Performance Management Unit.
According to the details of the said unit already notified by the FBR, the core functions of the IMPU included development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in respect of FBR's officers in BS-20 and above. The peculiar nature of different assignments, prescribed job description and impacting externalities shall be given due consideration while framing the said KPIs. The functions also included development of Code of Conduct in the light of Section 5 (1) (i) of FBR Act, 2007, which empowers FBR "to take any action, issue rules, regulations, guidelines and code of conduct to fulfil the objects of the Act; development of transparent criterion for integrity management and development of curriculum & reading material on ethical values and performance pledges for FBR's field formations & personnel. The FBR Act, 2007, upholds the values such as integrity, courtesy, fairness, transparency and responsiveness. The Act reflects FBR's resolve to combat corruption and implement checks and processes ensuring the integrity of officials and employees of the Federal Board.
Under the integrity management of all FBR employees, as envisaged under Section 4 (1) (g) of FBR Act, it says to take appropriate measures including internal controls to combat corruption within the organisation under the Board and provide checks to ensure the integrity of employees that is verified periodically through applicable procedure which shall be made one of the criterion for promotion and incentives. It would be engaged in performance evaluation of officers (BS-20 and above) of FBR, in the light of Section 4 (1) (j) of said Act which obligates FBR and introduces and maintains a system of accountability of performance, competence and conduct of the employees. The FBR said that Member HR shall be the head of IPMU, which will have two functional Cells, ie Integrity Management Cell (IMC) and Performance Evaluation Cell (PEC), each headed by an officer of BS-20.
The operational framework of the IPMU revealed that on Integrity Management issues the IPMU shall submit its periodical reports to the chairman FBR. On performance evaluation, however IPMU shall share its findings with concerned member and after incorporating his views, the reports shall be forwarded to chairman FBR. The IPMU's input, emanating from objective performance evaluation (based on said KPIs) & criterion shall be used for transfers, postings and promotions of FBR officers of BS-20 and above. The cases indicating glaring instances of inefficiency, misconduct and corruption, made out by IPMU, which warrants further action under E&D shall be processed in accordance with the laid down administrative law & procedure. The chairman FBR may like to give an opportunity of being heard to the officers impacted by IPMU's input; order any informal inquiry, if he/she so desires, or refer back the issue to IPMU for review.
All wings/sections of FBR HQs and its field formations shall extend full technical assistance, logistic support and physical help to IPMU, whenever and wherever required. The FBR said that the IPMU shall devise its strategies in the light of its mandate, core functions, and above all the FBR Act, 2007.
While conducting its operations, IPMU may co-opt officers/officials "on as when required basis" from FBR and its field formations. The IPMU, with the assistance of management wing and legal wing (where ever required) shall defend its in-put, if challenged at any administrative or legal forum, the FBR added.