ISLAMABAD: The government spent Rs5.6 billion including foreign aid of Rs3.1 billion on different programmes launched in a year to improve governance in the country.
The major on-going programmes and new initiatives undertaken during the period included Access to Justice Programme (AJP) (costing Rs21 billion) launched for improvements in judicial system, quick disposal of pending cases and non-judicial legal services were ensured.
Around 52 consultants were hired, 104 workshops and trainings programmes arranged, 227 booklets published, 559 development schemes completed, 96 development schemes are on-going and seven new development schemes were launched under the programme, an official source said here on Monday.
The official said under tax administration programme initiatives helped in improving domestic resources mobilization by introducing RGST on goods and services in integrated mode, minimizing exemptions, domestic zero rating and special rates elimination, harmonization of tax administration, strengthening risk based audit, improving efficiency of tax administration and introducing broadening of tax base.
The other measures were reorganization of CBR and its field offices on functional lines, introduction of a system of self-assessment in income tax, federal excise, and customs, simplification of tax laws and procedure, re-introduction of tax payers audit and launching of an electronic refund system.
The other objectives of the programme were reduction in litigation cases and introduction of a mechanism of alternate dispute resolution, tax-payers education and facilitation, setting up of model Custom Collectorates and introduction of integrated tax management system.
Another reform programme is improvements in Audit and Accounts which is being implemented to separate audit and account functions, providing effective accounting and reporting system in line with the international best practices.
It strengthens financial management practices, provides basis for enhancing public sector accountability through financial monitoring and control, and produces timely and reliable information for decision making and policy formulation.
The Office of the Auditor General of Pakistan launched Phase-II of the `Project for Improvement of Financial Reporting and Auditing (PIFRA)' at cost of Rs9.6 billion to sustain the ongoing activities.
He said under the project, 123 Financial Accounting & Budgeting System (FABS) out of 130 District Account Office (DAO) sites, five FABS against the targets of 4 departmentalized Account Offices, and 53 System Application Programme (SAP) competency centers out of 53 have been established.
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