The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to amend the Unified Reward Rules 2006 to streamline mechanism for payment of cash reward to the tax officers and customs officers. Sources told Business Recorder here on Friday that the fresh proposal of amendment in the "Unified Reward Rules 2006" would be discussed in the upcoming meeting at the FBR House to be chaired by FBR Chairman. It has been proposed to amend the "Unified Reward Rules 2006" taking into account the Customs Reward Rules, 2012.
According to the sources, concerned FBR officials would make presentation to the FBR Chairman on the proposed amendments in the "Unified Reward Rules 2006". A tax expert is of the view that the field officers have made big cases against tax evaders and recovered huge amount of revenue. However, the field officers were unable to get cash rewards in many cases like detection of huge amount. The amended reward rules needs to address the issue of speedy cash awards payment to the tax officers.
Under SRO.1213(I)/2006, "Unified Reward Rules 2006" were issued to encourage FBR employees and informers performing anti-smuggling duties. However, Customs Reward Rules, 2012 were notified under S.R.O.1386/(1)12012. But reward under SRO.1213(I)/2006 was restricted to seizure/confiscation of arms/ammunition, drugs/narcotics, intellectual property items, alcohol, gold, silver, other precious metals and stones and currency under the new rules. As per past rules, registered informer providing information duly recorded in the register were entitled to 15 percent of the admissible amount of reward; officers and staff actually involved in anti-smuggling operations leading to seizure, confiscation and sale of goods were entitled to 35 percent of the admissible amount of reward and Common Pool Fund (CPF) for the welfare of officers and staff of the FBR and the Collectorates were entitled to 5 percent of the admissible amount of reward.
As per SRO.1213(I)/2006, in case registered informer providing information duly recorded in the register, 50 per cent of the admissible reward will be paid to the duly registered informer at the time of seizure of specified goods and the balance 50 percent will be paid on finalization of adjudication/appeal proceedings of the case. The total amount of reward in a case will not exceed Rs 0.2 million.
Under the present rules, the officers and staff of the FBR or its subordinate offices under its control who render meritorious services or show extraordinary performance in their duties or are awarded certificates of gallantry. Duly registered informer giving any specific lead or information in respect of seizure and confiscation of specified smuggled goods or drugs.
About reward sanctioning authorities, Chairman FBR would sanction reward of officials of BS-20 and above; Member Incharge, BS-19 in case of CBR (HQ); Member Incharge, BS-17 to 19; Regional Commissioner of Income Tax, DG (Inspection and Internal Audit), DG Customs Intelligence; DG (Valuation and Post Clearance Audit), DG (Training & Research) and DG, LTU, RTO, MTU, etc. Collector of Customs/SAT&FE/Appeals are the reward sanctioning authorities for BS 1-6. The new rules have also specified procedure for working of the Common Pool Fund (CFP). The CPF of each Collectorate/Directorate will be managed by a committee headed by collector including one Additional Collector, one Assistant/Deputy Collector and one representative each from executive, ministerial and class IV cadres. Common Pool Fund of FBR (HQs) of Indirect Taxes shall be managed by Committee of Customs and excise Group headed by the senior most members of the Board, one Chief and one Secretary belonging to Customs and Excise Group posted in the FBR.
Under S.R.O.1386/(1)12012, Customs Reward Rules, 2012 were notified by the FBR. Cash shall be sanctioned under these rules to the following categories of persons in cases involving evasion of duty and other taxes, and confiscation of goods, namely: Officers and officials of Pakistan Customs Service for their contribution in such case, and informer providing credible information leading to such confiscation or detection, as lire case may be. Cash reward may also be sanctioned to the Officers of Pakistan Customs Service and staff, for rendering meritorious services in normal course of duty, not exceeding three years' basic salary.
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