Sindh Revenue Minister Imtiaz Sheikh has directed revenue staff to speed up recovery operation to achieve the target of Rs 4 billion, it is learnt.
The Minister took serious note of the slow pace of recovery which showed a shortfall of 15 percent during July-September 2004 as compared to the same period of last year. The recovery during July-September 2004 stood at Rs 42.1 million.
Among the causes of slow recovery is withdrawal of registration fee on air tickets and cheques and, above all, lack of interest on the part of revenue staff in recovery drive.
At a meeting held at the office of the revenue minister on Thursday member recovery informed the minister that sub-registrars were usually coming late to office. They do not observe punctuality and, at times, remain absent without leave. It has been observed that when a registrar is asked the reasons for his absence he does not find it necessary to explain his position.
The member recovery said that though seemingly the recovery position had improved as compared with the recovery made during the corresponding period of last year but still it remains short of expectation when compared with the current year's target and recovery. "The recovery position has decreased a little bit due to withdrawal of registration fee from air tickets and cheques."
Sub-registrars are reported to have informed the minister that their promotion cases were stuck up due to not holding of departmental promotion committee (DPC). There is acute shortage of stationery and other material needed for official work. The instructions regarding microfilming of record could not be carried out, as the necessary material has not been provided.
They said that the upgradation of posts of sub-registrars to implement certain orders had also not been carried out. The minister assured his staff that DPC would be fixed some time during the current month for considering pending promotion cases of registrars.
He said that at the same time a summary would be submitted to the chief minister regarding lifting of ban on recruitment against vacant posts meant for initial recruitment in the department.
However, the minister warned the staff that strict action would be taken against delinquent officers on account of late coming, availing self-granted leaves, charged for inefficiency and other irregularities hampering revenue collection.
The minister himself, or any committee constituted by him, may undertake surprise visits to check the attendance and performance of registrars/sub-registrar office.