The World Bank (WB) is not happy with the performance of foreign consultant Hugo Hanisch for his alleged failure to proper monitor and manage the Tax Administration Reforms Project (TARP).
Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday that the WB midterm review mission and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) discussed the terms of reference (TORs) of the program manager, who was appointed at $660,000 package.
The consultant had to submit a one-year work plan for proper administration of the on-going reform projects. The board was also not satisfied with the report on reforms submitted by the foreign consultant.
During the concluding meeting on TARP, the WB asked the FBR to ensure that the program manager should work as per TORs. The role of program manager was to work exclusively on reforms. Either the board would change the program manager or ensure its work for supervision and monitoring of TARP.
Sources said that the WB stated that only 11.6 percent of WB-DFID funds were disbursed. The project rating was given by the WB in view of lack of adherence to outputs and disbursements as originally envisaged.
The re-programming of TARP is needed in view of different factors. It appeared that amounts allocated to various components might not be needed, or cannot be utilised in remaining project life despite best efforts.
The World Bank has informed the FBR to identify realistic funding levels for activities, which can be reasonably utilised within the remaining project life. Sources said that the board would surrender certain excess funding not required for TARP. The WB also wanted management and institutional development under the organisational structure of FBR.
Some of the activities to be undertaken include streamline top management structure; introduce formal annual planning and performance monitoring process; finalise performance indicators for customs; strengthen tax policy capacity; develop a comprehensive integrity strategy; attain financial, procurement and administrative authority; carrier development criteria and implement performance related pay package. Some of the successful projects like automation banking project and others would be made part of the TARP.