Senior customs official : FTO directs FBR to issue appreciation letter

ISLAMABAD: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to issue an appreciation letter to Fayyaz Rasool Maken, Collector Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi for taking keen and timely action not only to safeguard revenue but also making merit based decision to facilitate taxpayer.

This is for the first time that the FTO has highly appreciated the performance of a senior customs official working in the field formations.

In this regard, the FTO has issued instructions to the FBR through an order issued on Tuesday. According to the FTO’s order, Secretary Revenue Division FBR must issue appreciation letter to Fayyaz Rasool Maken for making merit based decision making to address the bonafide issues of the taxpayers; and report compliance within 30 days.

The FBR will also direct the Collector of Customs, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi to undo the cancellation of the auctioned vehicle and allow the bidder to lift the vehicle after payment of 75% of the bid amount.

FTO further stated that, the facts amply highlight how the Collector (Appraisement), Port Qasim has taken keen interest and timely action not only to safeguard revenues but also to make merit-based decision-making to address the bona fide issues of the taxpayers. Had the Collector not taken the decisive action and gone through minutely the relevant records, the instant issue would have been complicated, obstructing a smooth resolution of the matter,” FTO added.

Details of the issue revealed that the petitioner contended that he was successful bidder of the subject lot consisting of a vehicle auctioned on Feb 20, 2024 by Port Qasim Appraisement and deposited earnest money on the same day. The bid was approved by AC-Auction, but the vehicle was not delivered to him despite many visits to Port Qasim and it was learnt that the earnest money had been deposited in treasury of the government. After almost five months, in July, 2024, he was informed that the auction had been cancelled by the then Collector for the reason that RP of vehicle had not been calculated correctly. The Department calculated new RP in which depreciation was not allowed as provided in Para 7 of CGO 12 of 2002. He further contended that he should not be punished for the mistake and delays of five months by the Collectorate and demanded that the vehicle should be handed over to him on the basis of already approved bid.

The Collector further stated that, since the auction proceedings have already been cancelled, the lot shall be put in next auction and the bidder can participate in the bid. While replying to the Collector’s aforesaid contention, the bidder stated that he has offered bid of Rs14,200,000 which is higher than the Reserve Price of Rs13,897,240 and pressed for allowing him to deposit the remaining 75% of the bid amount enabling him to lift the vehicle,

FTO order added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024