CBR's legal adviser drafts FBR laws and rules

15 May, 2007

Legal consultant of the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has drafted Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) law and rules/procedure to give legal cover to the Internal Job Posting (IJP) process, rollout of Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) and Model Customs Collectorates (MCCs).
Sources told Business Recorder on Monday that the CBR has not made any payment to the legal consultant. The contract agreement with the consultant reveal that the legal expert would be paid Rs 1.53 million for a period of six months. The agreement entered into force from November 15, 2006 and expired on May 15, 2007. The CBR can extend the contract for another six months, if required.
Sources said that the consultant has submitted many drafts of the FBR law for consideration of the board-in-council. Officials dispelled impression that the consultant has not done any work during his tenure. He has submitted laws for legal backing to the IJP, RTOs and MCCs.
He will give legal advice and relevant amendments in the applicable law based on assessment of civil service laws, Establishment Code and other government rules. He has to submit legal advice on the related laws that the reform process should remain mindful of such as Removal Ordinance, E & D Rules, NAB Ordinance etc.
He will also give advice on linking the reform process with the National Anti-corruption strategy as approved by the Cabinet. He would provide texts of the Supreme Court cases that direct the Government to improve efficiency and service to public. To give legal backing to the Internal Job Posting (IJP) process, he has to draft notifications or rules for the IJP including IJP, interview, written test, assessment centres etc.
Legal consultant has to give cover to the Early Retirement and Voluntary Severance Scheme to be announced by the CBR. In this regard, draft rules for the Golden Handshake Schemes would be needed. The laws are required to supervise incorporation and documentation of subsidiary company.
Consultant has to prepare a legally robust document establishing that CBR's manpower requirements are continually under review and will be adjusted from time to time. Moreover, notification would be drafted giving power to the CBR to transfer employees to the said subsidiary company. He will prepare a draft of a legally robust document providing for introduction and maintenance of a performance management system (PMS) and text of notification for this purpose.
The organisational restructuring of the CBR also needs legal cover, which would be done by the consultant. A legal document would be prepared to cover the restructuring process. He will also draft notification to cover all reformed units across the country. The legal consultant has to keep liaison with the CBR Member Legal to implement the reform process and suggest new medium to long term legislative measures to support reform agenda, agreement added.

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