CBR to maintain reward policy for officials

Withdrawal of rewards on performing anti-smuggling activities by customs officials under the proposed "unified reward rules" will badly affect performance of customs engaged in such operations at ports, highways, airports and border areas.
Sources said on Monday the CBR has decided to maintain reward as per new rules on anti-smuggling activities due to the peculiar nature of this job.
Initially, the "unified reward rules" were drafted with the concept to give no award on detection of income tax concealment and sales tax evasion. It was also proposed not to give reward on anti-smuggling activities.
The study of best international practices of tax laws showed that no reward is extended on anti-smuggling operations, as it is part of the job. However, the CBR realised that taking away reward on this account would discourage the customs from conducting anti-smuggling activities.
Customs officials put their life in danger to hunt smugglers and some of these officials have lost their life during anti-smuggling operations. These officials deserve reward, which is an accurate approach to ensure seizures by the customs.
On the recommendations of customs wing, rewards will be given on these activities as per new reward rules. An interesting aspect of seizures and confiscation made by different anti-smuggling agencies revealed that out of total confiscated goods, over 50 percent of the seizure is being made by the customs, whereas rest is divided among other agencies like frontier constabulary and coast guards, etc, thus major share seizure are made by customs field formations.
Under the proposed rules, reward will be given to field functionaries, who meet or exceed budgetary targets through extraordinary efforts and planning. Those, showing outstanding performance, securing government revenue through enforcement on the direct and indirect taxes, would be qualified for reward.
Officers and staff, engaged in securing revenue through audit, inspection and auction procedure and have helped to generate additional revenue, will also be compensated.
Reward will be extended to those, who perform beyond their call duty towards achieving overall organisational vision, values, goals and objectives. It also included officials and staff showing an outstanding performance over and above their set performance standards.
Rewards will be given to appellate and adjudication authorities, whose quality of work is outstanding with reference to the disposal of pending appeals cases. Duly registered informers giving any specific lead or report supported by documentary evidence relating to anti-smuggling or anti-drug activities would also be eligible for rewards.