The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has set revised Revenue Targets (RTs) for the Financial Year 2008-09 for each Custom Collectorate in the Country. Addressing a meeting of sectional heads and custom superintendents, the Collector Customs, Model Custom Collectorate Faisalabad, Khawar Farid Maneka disclosed on Wednesday.
He said that the RTs of Faisalabad Collectorate has been increased to Rs1843 million, as against previous Target of Rs1708 million. Thus an additional amount of Rs135 million is required to be realised through special initiatives covering the functional areas such as, mis-declaration, valuation, arrears, auction, litigation and securities, he added.
The Collector Customs impressed upon the sectional heads to gear up concerted efforts towards realisation of RT assigned to each functional area of Customs working. During discussion, the Collector invited proposals, action plan and implementation strategies from the participating Custom Officers in respect of their respective functional areas. These intense discussions and exchange of ideas led to consensual consultations for adopting and implementing some vital decisions.
The Collector said that in case of mis-declaration/valuation regarding imported goods, summary adjudication will be done with the consent of importers so that prompt realisation of duty and taxes along with fine or penalty may be made avoiding hassle and lengthy proceedings.
Maneka directed the Superintendent, Recovery Section to employ all lawful means towards realisation of arrears and to seek necessary assistance and co-ordination from the Collector of Sales Tax and Federal Excise Faisalabad.
He also directed to prepare a list of major cases of arrears involving Rs0.5 million and above.
The Collector further emphasised the need to reactivate the recovery section and put a special focus on defaulters with live business. The Meeting endorsed the proposal of the Principal Appraiser Examination (imports) that for the next three months, auction of confiscated goods should be held on monthly basis. The Meeting further decided that the Reserve Price of the vehicles to be auctioned at Customs Dry Port, Faisalabad, should be fixed and the Superintendent Auction should compile list and batches of all other miscellaneous confiscated goods laying at Dry Port, whether imported or smuggled ones.
Maneka told that all these measures are aimed at getting maximum revenue yield from auction of goods. He directed the Superintendent (Bonds) to ensure audit of manufacturing bonds within fortnight so that recovery of government revenue is detected during Audit. Further, he asked the Superintendent In-charge, Custom House Agents Licensing Branch to prepare a list of those Custom Agents against whom recovery of any penalty imposed by custom authorities is pending.
He ordered to serve notices to defaulters for these recoveries within a week and ordered to suspend their licenses in case they do not comply with the directive.
Furthermore, he also directed the Superintendent, Airport Traffic, Faisalabad to be vigilant and check smuggling of precious metals and products thereof, especially the cell phones generally in unassembled form disguised and concealed in personal baggage of incoming air passengers.