Series of e-katcheries conducted: Supervisors to face consequences if tax matters not addressed: FBR chief

ISLAMABAD: After conducting a series of e-katcheries with taxpayers, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Javed Ghani has given loud and clear instructions to the field formations that the supervisory officials will be held accountable, if key public service delivery matters are not addressed.

According to the FBR instructions to the field formations on Friday after conclusion of telephonic E-Katcheri, supervisory officials would face consequences for not taking the public service delivery matters seriously in the field formations.

The FBR Chairman said that under the explicit instructions of the Prime Minister, a monthly telephonic E-Katcheri is held regularly. The broad inferences drawn after series of such interactions are spelled out as under:

(i) Communication gap exists between the tax collectors and taxpayers. (ii) The outreach snags lead to dissatisfaction of taxpayers. (iii) Trivial refund applications and queries remain un-responded. (iv) Concerned officers do not appropriately interact and respond to target audience, hence the genuine issues remain unaddressed. Javed Ghani stated that "Henceforth, it is desired that the above Public Service Delivery matters, if remain outstanding, owing to general apathy on part of the concerned large taxpayer office (LTO), medium taxpayer office (MTO), corporate tax office (CTO), Collectorates/Directorates, the supervisory officers shall be held accountable. Consequences may ensure accordingly", FBR Chairman added.

The FBR Chairman's instructions to the field formations clearly reflects that the tax authorities of the FBR are very much serious to address the Public Service Delivery matters pointed out by the taxpayers during the telephonic E-Katcheri.

As a sequel to E-Katcheries held on monthly basis to comply with the directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)/Secretary Revenue Division, Muhammad Javed Ghani held an E-Katcheri at FBR HQ on Friday to listen to the complaints and issues of taxpayers. The complainants called at 111772772 and interacted directly with the Chairman FBR.

The FBR Chairman listened to the complaints of the taxpayers and issued on spot directions for resolution of complaints. The FBR Chairman appreciated the suggestion put forth by the taxpayers and assured them that their comments and suggestions would be looked into.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020