FBR urged to mobilise resources for meeting revenue targets
NA panel asks FBR to enhance staff capacity, implement automation programme
PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs on Friday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to step up efforts for revenue generation and resource mobilisation in order to achieve its revenue targets.
The committee emphasised that the FBR should enhance its staff capacity and implement the automation programme to introduce optimum international practices in the institution.
It also discussed the proposed development schemes of the FBR for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2020-21.
Briefing the meeting, TARG Procurement and Automation Director-General Syeda Adeela Bokhari said the FBR had proposed a total of 26 projects for the PSDP of the fiscal year 2020-21. Of these, 12 schemes were ongoing and 14 were new schemes.
She told the committee that the total estimated cost of FBR's 26 development schemes was Rs75.19 billion.
However, the committee members expressed concern over the proposed schemes of the FBR. The committee was of the view that the proposed schemes did not support the FBR's vision of broadening the revenue base in the country.
FBR collects Rs2.72tr in taxes, misses target
However, the additional secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue pointed out that a separate tax reforms programme had already been initiated by the FBR to increase its revenue receipts.
The committee directed the FBR to prioritise its schemes before requesting for their inclusion in the budget for the financial year 2020-21.
Meanwhile, issues being faced by textile exporters also came up for discussion and committee members pointed out that a sub-committee had already been constituted. Therefore, the matter may be put off till the outcome of sub-committee proceedings.
The Ministry of Finance additional secretary briefed the committee on the ongoing and new PSDP projects under the purview of Finance Division. The committee discussed all the projects separately.
The committee suggested that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should be approached for its views on upgrading Pakistan Mint as per SBP requirements.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 29th, 2020.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs on Friday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to step up efforts for revenue generation and resource mobilisation in order to achieve its revenue targets.
The committee emphasised that the FBR should enhance its staff capacity and implement the automation programme to introduce optimum international practices in the institution.
It also discussed the proposed development schemes of the FBR for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2020-21.
Briefing the meeting, TARG Procurement and Automation Director-General Syeda Adeela Bokhari said the FBR had proposed a total of 26 projects for the PSDP of the fiscal year 2020-21. Of these, 12 schemes were ongoing and 14 were new schemes.
She told the committee that the total estimated cost of FBR's 26 development schemes was Rs75.19 billion.
However, the committee members expressed concern over the proposed schemes of the FBR. The committee was of the view that the proposed schemes did not support the FBR's vision of broadening the revenue base in the country.
FBR collects Rs2.72tr in taxes, misses target
However, the additional secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue pointed out that a separate tax reforms programme had already been initiated by the FBR to increase its revenue receipts.
The committee directed the FBR to prioritise its schemes before requesting for their inclusion in the budget for the financial year 2020-21.
Meanwhile, issues being faced by textile exporters also came up for discussion and committee members pointed out that a sub-committee had already been constituted. Therefore, the matter may be put off till the outcome of sub-committee proceedings.
The Ministry of Finance additional secretary briefed the committee on the ongoing and new PSDP projects under the purview of Finance Division. The committee discussed all the projects separately.
The committee suggested that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should be approached for its views on upgrading Pakistan Mint as per SBP requirements.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 29th, 2020.