Seizure of smuggled/contraband goods: FBR witnesses 160 percent record increase in revenue collection

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has witnessed a record increase of 160 percent in revenue collection by seizures of smuggled/contraband goods during first eight months (July-March) 2009-2010 as compared to same period last fiscal year showing remarkable performance of the anti-smuggling department, it is learnt.
Sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that Customs team headed by FBR Member Customs Munir Quershi is working on an effective strategy to check loopholes for improving revenue collection in the last quarter (April-June) 2009-2010. FBR Member Customs recently directed the Collectors of Customs that well planned efforts and adoption of proactive and out of the box ideas should be the strategy for achieving annual revenue target in the remaining three months.
Attention at the senior level is a must in this regard, he emphasised, adding that loopholes regarding incorrect declarations, incorrect examinations and assessment needed to be plugged at the level of the field formations. FBR expects even better anti-smuggling efforts in future, he said.
The percentage of 160 percent shows an exceptional increase in total seizure made through anti-smuggling efforts during 2009-2010, he added. Under the strategy, sources said that a communication gap between senior and junior officers would be narrowed down to develop team spirit. The junior customs officers would be groomed to enhance efficiency, they added.
Furthermore they said that major areas requiring rectification includes: incorrect declarations, examinations, assessments and pending cases involving huge revenue. Sensitivity of major revenue spinning sectors would be realised at the Collector's level and sectors analysis would be conducted regularly by the field formations, sources apprised. Collectors would focus on the revenue collection in the last quarter 2009-2010 and try their level best to fill the gap, making every effort to collect the legitimate revenue, sources added.
FBR Chairman Sohail Ahmed has recently directed all the collectors of customs to ensure proper adjudication of cases. Chairman FBR assured collectors that the FBR will take care of matters relating to the Customs service, ie its cadre strength, prospects of timely promotion of officers and staff and also its required expansion. There was no need to worry on this account; sources quoted FBR Chairman as addressing collectors of customs.