Proposed unit to compile credible database of the taxmen

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The proposed ‘Performance and Integrity Management Unit’ of the Federal Board of Revenue would compile a credible database of tax employees including senior tax officials based on their personal record, annual assets declarations, complaints and previous enquiries, if any, to control corruption in the tax administration.

Sources told Business Recorder on Monday that the new unit would maintain a comprehensive database of the tax officials. It would have access to the annual assets declarations, personal records, PER dossiers, complaint papers, previous enquiries, case related correspondence and the tax record, whenever required. The proposed IMU may be headed by a BS-20 officer, reporting directly to the Member (HRM) or to the Member (Administration).

It has been decided that the unit would exclusively work to pinpoint corrupt tax officials to give them exemplary punishment. The corrupt officials would be picked on the basis of their profiles covering integrity and performance in the field formations. It has also been decided that the proposed ‘Performance and Integrity Management Unit’ is imperative for institutional arrangement in FBR to make assessment of the integrity and performance of its employees. The Performance and Integrity Management Unit shall be established in the HRM Wing of FBR Headquarters.

The provisions of FBR Act, 2007 intend to uphold the values of FBR employees, including integrity, and reflect upon FBR’s resolve to combat corruption and ensure integrity. The provisions included internal controls, accountability system, removal of grievances, assessment of integrity and the code of conduct.

The factors necessitating establishment of an Integrity Management Unit to carryout the functions of integrity reporting, complaints handling, preparation of officers’ profiles, monitoring declaration of assets, co-ordination with other agencies, developing curriculum on ethical values, generating periodical vigilance reports and developing a credible database of FBR employees.

At present, there is no arrangement, whatsoever that enables FBR management to assess the integrity of an official and to have access to a credible database in this regard. The tax authorities emphasised that from an organisational perspective, it is imperative that the first step is taken towards establishing a system that help assess integrity of the employees in an organized and systematic manner. All the members of the Board agreed that the initiative must be taken, sooner than later, to implement the true spirit of FBR Act, 2007 as far as integrity management is concerned. It has been decided that the proposed ‘Performance and Integrity Management Unit’ is of utmost importance to evaluate institutional performance of its employees.