FBR forms anti-corruption cells

List of suspected corrupt officers to be made.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided in principle to form anti-corruption cells within the income tax, sales tax and customs departments in an attempt to curb corruption.

Sources within the FBR informed that the directorate general of customs intelligence and investigation has started compiling a list of FBR officers suspected of corruption. Four such officers have been suspended based on the evidence provided by the directorate general.

The FBR had directed the directorate to compile a list of such officers complete with allegations and evidence and prepare a report on its findings, sources said, adding that action will be taken against the officers in light of the evidence.

Anti-corruption cells will be formed within the income tax, sales tax and customs departments after the report. These cells will report directly to the FBR chairman and work under the director general of intelligence.

Furthermore, the cells will work with the FBR’s field formations and scrutinise their performance and the returns collected by them. Field officers that demonstrate honesty and superior performance, as judged by the cells, will be rewarded appropriately by the FBR, added sources.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2010.