Rs 450 million VAS scam: FBR hesitant to take action against customs officers

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been dilatory to take action against 11 customs officers, who are reportedly involved in the clearance of 1,900 vehicles under 'Vehicle Amnesty Scheme' on short payment of surcharge estimated to Rs 450 million, it is learnt here on Saturday.
According to sources, although the fact-finding committee, constituted to ascertain the facts behind the clearance of these vehicles, confirmed the involvement of these 11 customs officers in the clearance of 1,900 vehicles under VAS, the board has so far appeared hesitant to take action in the light of committee recommendations after the lapse of over one and a half months.
They said that the committee in its report confirmed the involvement of two collectors, a deputy collector, an assistant collector, two additional collectors, two principal appraisers and three appraisers in the clearance of these vehicles under VAS on short payment of surcharge estimated to Rs 450 million.
Moreover, they said the committee, which had submitted a detailed report to the FBR on June 4, 2014, had conducted fresh inquiry against officers posted during June 2012 to November 2013 when the 1,900 vehicles were cleared. They said two collectors, a deputy collector, an assistant collector, three principal appraisers and four appraisers, who were posted at Car Group of the Collectorate during the said period, had been quizzed and later the committee had confirmed the involvement of two collectors, a deputy collector, an assistant collector, two additional collectors, two principal appraisers and three appraisers in this case.