A collector of the Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) is facing inquiry for carrying out Benami banking transactions between two foreign banks, involving huge amount of money which included repeatedly winning of prize bonds and other lottery schemes.
Sources told Business Recorder on Sunday that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated inquiry against two senior tax officials ie. Collector, Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU), Islamabad and a FBR Chief Legal on the charges of corruption and misconduct.
Sources further revealed that the FBR has made serious allegations against these officials and constituted two members inquiry committee comprising Muhammad Aqil Usman (BS-20), Commissioner (Enforcement), LTU, Islamabad (chairman of the committee) and Muhammad Ashraf Khan (CEG/BS-20), Collector, MCC, Rawalpindi (member) to scrutinise the conduct of the accused officers through formal inquiry proceedings into the charges.
According to sources, the FBR has issued orders of inquiry to both these officials under Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance.
Sources said that the inquiry committee would investigate the charges of undocumented banking transactions being carried out by collector, LTU, Islamabad through different foreign banks.
It was brought to the notice of FBR that the official has maintained and operated a Benami bank account with a foreign bank of Karachi in the name of a subordinate customs official. This account has transaction link with collector's account maintained with another foreign bank. The transactions were being carried out between these two foreign banks.
He has maintained bank accounts with four banks, reflecting massive credits which do not commensurate with his known sources of income. Sources said that the FBR is also investigating purchase of a plot in Karachi measuring 2000 sq yards in the name of his father who had no creditworthiness for such a transaction. The house was ultimately transferred to him as gift but it was claimed as inherited. Through a Benami transaction he acquired a house in Islamabad in the name of his father-in law but by obtaining attorney he disposed off the house and sale proceeds were deposited in his bank account.
According to FBR, the accused officer appears to be guilty of gross inefficiency, misconduct and corruption and is liable to disciplinary action which may involve imposition of one or more penalties prescribed in Section 3 of the Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance.
In the second case, the FBR has also ordered inquiry against a Chief (Legal) (OPS) FBR, Islamabad on charges of inefficiency, misconduct and corruption. The inquiry committee would confirm allegations whether the official has purchased a house in Karachi in the name of his wife. However, no permission as required under Rule 11 of Government Servants Conduct Rules 1964 was applied/ obtained. Moreover, sources of investment were not explained at the time of purchase and house was not declared in the relevant declaration of assets.
Sources said that there is a case pending with the Accountability Court Sindh regarding acquisition of assets beyond known sources by the tax official.
The inquiry shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of section 5 to 8 of Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 as amended from time to time and the report of findings and recommendations shall be submitted to the competent authority within 25 days of the initiation of inquiry of committee.
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