Service-related matters: FBR compiles records of tax officials using ‘political pressure’

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has compiled separate records of tax officials involved in exerting political pressures on the top management of the FBR for transfers/ postings/ deputations and other service-related matters.

In this connection, the FBR has issued a circular to all FBR Members, Chief Commissioners/ Director Generals and Chief Collectors here on Thursday to take action against such officials while making their career decisions.

According to the FBR’s warning to the tax officials dated July 21, 2022, it has been observed with concern that some officers/ officials resort to exerting political pressures on the top management in connection with their transfers/ postings/ deputations and other service matters in total disregard to Rule 19 and 29 of Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 read with the instructions printed at ESTA CODE, edition 2015.

Despite repeated counselling/ warnings, the practice still continues and, therefore, it is once again informed that the said act is a “Misconduct” under the Government Servant (Conduct) Rules, 1964 read with Rule 2(1)(k) of Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020 (unbecoming of officers professional conduct) and attracts disciplinary action under the relevant rules.

Taking this into account, all officers/ officials of IRS & PCS are hereby warned once again to shun this attitude. Such officers/ officials using political influences for service matters have been marked and necessary observations have been placed in their personal dossiers.

It goes without saying that such observations will be one of the main considerations at the time of making their career decisions including promotion and disciplinary proceedings besides placement and rotations.

Therefore, at the cost of the repetition, all officers/ officials of IRS are once again advised to be cautious of the seriousness of this subject at all times. In this respect all field heads are requested to disseminate this information with the needed seriousness to all officers/ officials under their command, FBR added.

The FBR had also issued instructions in Nov 2021 to punish tax officials, who are putting political/ external pressures on the top FBR management for their posting/ transfers/ deputations and other service matters.

In October 2020, the board had serious concern over the exertion of political pressure by the officers of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) and Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) in administrative matters - transfers/ postings.

But the political pressure on the FBR management for transfers and postings continues and now the FBR has issued another warning.

The Board want to convey the serious concern that certain officers in total disregard to Rule 19 and 29 of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 read with the instructions resort to exerting political/ external pressures on the top management in connection with their posting/ transfers/ deputations and other service matters, etc.

It is once again reminded to all officers of the IRS/ PCS that the said act is a “misconduct” under the Government Servant (Conduct) Rules, 1964 read with Government Rule 2(1)(k) of Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020 (unbecoming of officers professional conduct) and attracts disciplinary action under the relevant rules.

Moreover, it is further reiterated that under rule 5(e) of the Directory Retirement Rules, 2020, this act is unbecoming of a Civil Servant and can be one of the grounds for directory retirement of Civil Servants, the FBR added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022