Dr Bengali quits NFC, NEC

YASIR BABBAR

KARACHI: Noted economist Dr Kaiser Bengali has resigned from the posts of Sindh Member in National Finance Commission (NFC) and member in National Economic Council (NEC), Business Recorder learnt here on Wednesday.

Dr Bengali was working as member Sindh in the 8th NFC. He had also served as member Sindh in the 7th NFC award. During his last tenure, the share of Sindh increased in NFC Award. Moreover, provinces got back the right to collect sales tax on services.

However, in recent meetings of 8th NFC, Dr Bengali had resisted over the inclusion of sales tax on services issue in the agenda of NFC meetings.

In May 2012, the then Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, had advised President Asif Ali Zardari to appoint Dr Kaiser Bengali as member of National Economic Council (NEC) from Sindh as required by the constitution.

Later, the Cabinet Division notified the membership of Dr Bengali in NEC.

Sources very close to Kaiser told Business Recorder that though Dr Bengali has tendered his resignation from both the posts, it is not known whether or not his decision to quit has been accepted by the competent authorities.

Sources claimed that Dr Bengali was not happy with the attitude of Sindh government towards issues in relation to NFC and NEC.

When contacted, Bengali confirmed that he had resigned from both the posts. According to him, those were mere designations and he had hardly any work to do.

It may be noted here that Dr Benagli had earlier refused to head the committee formed for the selection of Chairman Sindh Revenue Board (SRB).