‘Steps to broaden tax net generated Rs2b’

Excise DG says new technology enabled department to maintain accurate record

FAISALABAD:

Multiple steps were taken to enable Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department for generating additional Rs2 billion during the current financial year.

This was stated by the department’s Director General Saleha Saeed while speaking to the media at Excise office on Wednesday.

She added, “The focus of Excise department was to enhance tax net. Technological advancement has enabled the department to collect and maintain accurate record and potential of recovery.”

Induction of new technology would completely weed out the exploitation by minimising contact between taxpayers and tax collector, she further said. “It will also help enhance tax net through reliable data.”

She highlighted that the department had decided to include precious and costly properties which were earlier exempted from tax net.

She appreciated the steps taken by Punjab government and said it helped collecting additional Rs2 billion and abolishing exploitation trend.

The E&T DG said that properties on highways would be brought into tax net form next financial year as the government had finalised its mechanism and it would be major source of revenue in future. Regarding issuance of smart cards, she said the issue had been resolved and so far more than 100,000 cards had been provided to vehicle owners.

In this connection 46 counters had been established throughout Punjab to facilitate the citizens, she stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2021.