The project of excise and taxation facilitation centre to provide tax solutions under one roof is in doldrums due to non-induction of staff and non-payment of rents for the buildings, said sources.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in the province has not only blocked the funds but also avoided to recruit the required staff for these centres. Under this scheme, the citizens were supposed to get information regarding taxes, their calculations, property tax and motor vehicle tax. The provincial government had set up these centres in six districts of the province and staff for front office desk was employed when the previous government had deferred remaining recruitment due to the general elections. These centres require recruitment of 238 employees to start functioning as facility centres.
The previous provincial government had launched this project to facilitate citizens under one roof with reference to information on excise and tax matters but it could not release over Rs 80 million funds for the project. Accordingly, the present provincial government has also turned a blind eye towards the project, which is proving a sinking boat with every passing day. As many as nine centres have been set up on rented buildings but a delay in release of funds has led issuance of notices for ejection by the owners of these buildings.