Pindi cattle market tax still outstanding

Income tax of Rs16.5m remains unpaid four months after Eidul Azha

RAWALPINDI:

Over four and a half months have elapsed since Eidul Azha, observed on June 7 this year, yet the federal government has still not received Rs16.5 million in income tax owed under the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB)'s cattle market contract.

The issue was taken to the magistrate's court, following which the contractor paid Rs6 million and issued a cheque for the outstanding balance. The Board is currently considering whether to deposit the cheque, taking into account the award of next year's cattle market contract.

According to available information, prior to Eidul Azha, the Bhata Ground cattle market contract was awarded to Muin & Co. for the highest bid of Rs165.7m. Half of the amount was collected in advance, while the contractor was also required to deposit Rs16.5m in income tax with the federal government in addition to the remaining 50% of the contract value.

However, the contractor paid only Rs161.7m to the RCB and failed to settle the remaining Rs4m of the contract amount, as well as the Rs16.5m in income tax. As a result, legal proceedings were initiated, and upon the case reaching the magistrate's court, the contractor made a partial payment of Rs6m and issued a cheque worth Rs14.5m to cover the balance.

Sources indicate that the Board has yet to make a final decision on presenting the cheque, as preparations are already underway to award the cattle market contract for the coming year.