ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is belatedly implementing the Prime Minister's directive regarding reaching out to the public through holding of Khuli Kacheri and has directed the Chief Commissioners to hold the first e-Khulli Kacheri in the second week of July 2020 and thereafter hold it regularly each month.
In this connection, the FBR has issued instructions to the field formations on the issue of e-Khulli Kacheri.
The Prime Minister Office had issued a directive on April 8, 2020 to all the Federal Government Ministries/Offices stating that an efficient service delivery system ensures public trust and provides a basis for good governance. In this regard, approach for reaching out to the public in the form of Khuli Kacheris can be a core element in further strengthening the trust. Owing to this the Federal Government Organizations are required to run public out-reach activities as a continuous practice, best adapted to the needs of the citizens and for restoration of their trust in the government machinery. Thus, the machinery is required to stay in contact with the public by all available means and provide them accessible platforms (physical / technological) to raise their issues for timely resolution. It was further observed in the directive that in order to attain highest public good, it is imperative to follow the guiding principle with regard to public complaints and issues raised during Khuli Kacheri that listen patiently and treat properly to resolve publicly and openly.
Directive stated that Khuli Kacheri in any form is the manifestation of the door-step service delivery and the factor of openness further acts as an agent of impartiality. It was stated that SOP have been approved and the implementation of the SOP shall take effect from May 1, 2020. Accordingly, recently FBR has issued a directive to all Chief Commissioners for reaching out to public by holding of e Khuli Kacheri. There is direction to hold one e Khuli Kacheri in every second week of the month. Commissioners, Additional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and officials incharge of the Mufassil area have also been directed to hold e-Khuli Kacheri with same frequency.
The FBR in its directive has also explained the modes and type of e-Khuli Kachery like through FM Channel, through Video Conferencing / Skype / Facebook and through Cable TV / PTV / Private Channels. It also envisaged that the taxpayer be apprised about holding of e-Khuli Kacheri in advance through print media, electronic media, social medial, banners and through local field staff. It has further enumerated the general guidelines to be followed and reporting procedure after holding of e-Khuli Kacheri.
When contacted for comments, Shahid Jami, tax lawyer observed that in taxes there is element of confidentiality and though the object and concept is redressal of grievance of taxpayers yet the mindset of the field formation is quite opposite. He observed that already there are external forums of Federal Tax Ombudsman and Prime Minister Citizen Portal however even these heavy weight institutions have failed to deliver and most of the complaints and grievances remain unattended or contested on flimsy pretext. He cited an example that a taxpayer deposited Rs.5 Million to avail amnesty in July 2019 however the Amnesty declaration could not be filed by the deadline due to issues on e-portal of the FBR. Later, the taxpayer filed a writ petition before the Lahore High Court and the court directed the department to refund the amount within fifteen days and the issue is still pending with the tax authorities' inspite of lodging complaint with the Prime Minister's Citizen Portal. He observed that with that mindset these e Khuli Kacheris are likely to be held merely to meet with the directive of the Prime Minister as endorsed by the FBR and is not likely to change the scenario of grievance redressal, Shahid Jami, added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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