The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed a permanent ban on all officials of the Board from interacting with media except official spokesperson FBR under new Internal Communication Policy & Strategy issued by the FBR, here on Friday. According to the FBR's new Internal Communication Policy & Strategy, the official spokesperson of FBR interacts with the media on policy issues. He is also responsible for issuing any press release, clarifications or rebuttals to the media.
No other officer at the FBR should hold or attend a media briefing, interview or press conference nor interact, formally or informally, with the media unless authorised by the Chairman FBR or by the official spokesperson FBR. The policy has specified restrictions of the tax officials from interacting with print and electronic media. Print media: No FBR employee may participate in the editing or management of any newspaper or publication without prior approval of the government. He cannot send letter to the editor of any newspaper, either anonymously or on his own name.
Electronic media: You (tax officials) may not participate in any radio broadcast, TV programme or any kind of electronic communication without first getting official approval. The FBR has decided to provide information required by the taxpayers or other individuals can request under the Freedom of Information Act. Under the Act, taxpayers or other individuals can request for information within the public domain. The information be provided within the stipulated timeframe. However, caution should be exercised in determining as to whether the information being sought falls within the framework defined in the law.
The new policy said that it is matter of common knowledge that, at times, irreparable loss is caused to the taxpayer by a delayed response to an urgent issue. Sometimes taxpayers demand immediate redress of their problems, due to urgency and criticality of situations, like clearing of goods at airports or issuance of exemptions certificates, etc. If you find the taxpayer in such a situation, act promptly to minimise his/her looses and sufferings. "You are duty bound to address taxpayer's queries and concerns in the shortest possible time. Also, all the functions of the organisations should work in tandem to ensure quick and efficient disposal of taxpayer's business," the FBR directed tax officials.
Taxpayer's complaints should be handled on priority. If a taxpayer's problem is not addressed, even after a complaint, he will lose faith in the system. You are required to keep track of the complaints for their early disposal. The FBR condemns abuse of powers and misuse of authority by its employees. Employees are a public servant and should use authority according to the rules and regulations while keeping in view the taxpayer's facilitation as your prime objective, the FBR added.
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