NAB proposes steps to curb corruption in CBR

The National Accountably Bureau (NAB) has proposed measures to reduce discretionary powers of the tax officials; change assessment procedures, simplify tax regime and minimise interaction between the tax collectors and the taxpayers to eliminate chances of corruption.
Sources told Business Recorder on Friday that the NAB has dispatched a set of measures to the CBR for improving its overall performance of the tax machinery with particular focus on controlling corruption through effective implementation of Tax Administration Reforms Project (TARP).
The NAB has proposed to the CBR the following measures for its ongoing reforms: Reduction in the discretionary powers of the tax officials; reforms to eliminate chances of corruption in the field formations; changes in the tax assessment procedures; simplified tax reporting formats; reduction in number of taxes; simplification of tax regime; abolish complicated or non-transparent tax procedures and minimum interaction between the tax collectors and the taxpayers.
According to the NAB, the rationale behind implementing the action plan of National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) report is to improve the CBR performance. The proposed measures had already been approved by the cabinet and President General Pervez Musharraf.
The NAB has requested the CBR that some of the proposed measures need immediate attention by the tax authorities. One of the major proposals is to ensure reduction in the level of corruption under the ongoing revamping of the tax machinery exercise. Tax authorities can submit its viewpoint on the implementation of NACS, as the anti-corruption strategy is under review by the Transparency International as well as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Early implementation of the NACS will create a positive image of Pakistan and improve ranking by the international agencies like Transparency International, sources quoted bureau.
The NACS was formulated by the NAB through a consultative process for a period of six months. An implementation committee comprising senior public sector managers and representatives of civil society, academia, business community and NGOs has been formulated. The NAB has been given the role to work as the Secretariat to this committee, the NAB added.