Teething problems: G-B excise department decries understaffing, lack of authority
Entity is scarcely staffed, but hopes to hire more employees through NTS
E&T department is in negotiations with Pakistan Post and private courier services for home delivery of documents and number plates to the owners. PHOTO: FILE
GILGIT:
Due to lack of adequate laws and shortage of staff, Gilgit-Baltistan’s (G-B) Excise and Taxation department has been unable to adequately carry out its duties.
“The situation has badly affected the performance of the department as it lacks the legal cover to crack down even on stolen vehicles,” an official said on Thursday.
“Due to the lack of relevant laws, we are unable to confiscate vehicles smuggled into the region,” added the official, requesting anonymity.
The official continued that the department was trying its best to handle motor vehicle registration fees and other allied taxes in the best way possible. The department was formed in 2009 after the region’s constitutional status was brought at par with a province under the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009.
From the word go, the department was slapped with allegations of illegal appointments. Dozens of employees who were sacked in the subsequent days had approached the court, but obtained a stay against the decision.
“The cases of such employees are in courts, while the department faces a dearth of staff,” he said.
Furthermore, the land allocated for the construction of offices in Astore and Diamer districts have been facing resistance from the public.
“There are so many challenges we are faced with at the moment,” G-B Excise and Taxation Secretary Abdul Waheed admitted to The Express Tribune.
“However, we are determined to settle the matter and enable this department to become effective,” said Waheed, who drafted a summary of laws to be incorporated in excise act.
With the number of support staff dismally low, the official said that the department intends to induct more than 75 people, up to Grade-14, through the National Testing Service (NTS) to address the shortage. Furthermore, the fate of those who approached the court will be decided when their respective cases are settled.
Too many cars
Currently, the G-B excise department has just five excise and taxation officers (ETOs) who are supposed to deal with 35,000 vehicles in the 10 districts of the region.
As G-B’s constitutional status is disputed, non-customs paid (NCP) vehicles are also allowed into the region. There are over 4,000 NCP cars in the region, according to official figures. Such a large number only adds to the traffic woes on the narrow roads of the mountainous region.
“As far as revenue is concerned, we have collected about Rs140 million, which was the target fixed by the government,” said Waheed.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2016.
Due to lack of adequate laws and shortage of staff, Gilgit-Baltistan’s (G-B) Excise and Taxation department has been unable to adequately carry out its duties.
“The situation has badly affected the performance of the department as it lacks the legal cover to crack down even on stolen vehicles,” an official said on Thursday.
“Due to the lack of relevant laws, we are unable to confiscate vehicles smuggled into the region,” added the official, requesting anonymity.
The official continued that the department was trying its best to handle motor vehicle registration fees and other allied taxes in the best way possible. The department was formed in 2009 after the region’s constitutional status was brought at par with a province under the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009.
From the word go, the department was slapped with allegations of illegal appointments. Dozens of employees who were sacked in the subsequent days had approached the court, but obtained a stay against the decision.
“The cases of such employees are in courts, while the department faces a dearth of staff,” he said.
Furthermore, the land allocated for the construction of offices in Astore and Diamer districts have been facing resistance from the public.
“There are so many challenges we are faced with at the moment,” G-B Excise and Taxation Secretary Abdul Waheed admitted to The Express Tribune.
“However, we are determined to settle the matter and enable this department to become effective,” said Waheed, who drafted a summary of laws to be incorporated in excise act.
With the number of support staff dismally low, the official said that the department intends to induct more than 75 people, up to Grade-14, through the National Testing Service (NTS) to address the shortage. Furthermore, the fate of those who approached the court will be decided when their respective cases are settled.
Too many cars
Currently, the G-B excise department has just five excise and taxation officers (ETOs) who are supposed to deal with 35,000 vehicles in the 10 districts of the region.
As G-B’s constitutional status is disputed, non-customs paid (NCP) vehicles are also allowed into the region. There are over 4,000 NCP cars in the region, according to official figures. Such a large number only adds to the traffic woes on the narrow roads of the mountainous region.
“As far as revenue is concerned, we have collected about Rs140 million, which was the target fixed by the government,” said Waheed.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2016.