The proposed decentralisation is likely to be opposed by self-centred elements in the bureaucracy.
ISLAMABAD: The Revenue Division should have two main departments for internal and external taxation. The present department, i.e., the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should be reconstituted as a coordination board, comprising representatives of the Revenue Division and its departments. The proposed restructuring is justified as federal taxes have two fields of special nature. This is evident from the fact that there are separate service groups, formations of subordinate offices and wings in the superordinate office, i.e., the FBR Headquarters for these particular kinds of taxes.
These reforms would be in the interest of good administration. Firstly, two departmental headquarters would be in a better position to perform their functions of tendering advice to the Revenue Division about policies for their jurisdictions and ensuring their effective implementation by subordinate field formations.
Secondly, a stage would be set for professional high commands in the Higher Tax Organisation. It may be mentioned that there are separate organisations for internal and external taxes in the US, England and India. In our Higher Defence Organisation there are separate headquarters for the three armed forces.
The proposed decentralisation is likely to be opposed by self-centred elements in the bureaucracy. Earlier the word ‘central’ was dropped from the designation of the revenue department but the feature of centrality was retained. It is unfortunate that those who are concerned about the fiscal crisis of Pakistan are indifferent to this pivotal reform for enhancing the capability of the government to make headway in the avenue for revenue.
Taraq Jazy
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2013.
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