ISLAMABAD - President Mamnoon Hussain has urged the federal tax ombudsman for undertaking more vigorous steps and innovative approaches to ensure provision of inexpensive and speedy justice to the taxpayers aggrieved by tax mal-administration in the country.
The president said this while talking to Abdur Rauf Chaudhry, federal tax ombudsman, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday to present annual report 2013 of the institution.
Chaudhry briefed the president about federal tax ombudsman, its establishment, charter, functions and the various initiatives being taken by the FTO for speedy disposal of complaints of tax mal-administration and redressal of grievances of the aggrieved taxpayers.
Highlighting the critical role of the FTO, the president said that the institution of FTO is an important government organisation mandated to redress the complaints of mal-administration and rectify injustice done to the taxpayers by the tax authorities. He appreciated the role of the office of FTO towards resolution of taxpayers’ grievances and problems ever since its establishment in year 2000.
The president assured the FTO of every possible support and patronage in efficient and smooth performance of his mandate.
Chaudhry also presented to the president the annual performance report of the federal tax ombudsman for the year 2013. According to the report, the FTO decided 1,856 complaints out of the total 1,898 complaints received in 2013. Some 1,438 complaints (77.48 per cent) were decided in favour of the taxpayers, 235 were rejected, 183 complaints were withdrawn and 86 cases were informally settled during the 2013. The report says that taxpayers and the FBR accepted 84.21 per cent of the findings/decisions of the FTO while only 15.79 per cent decisions were challenged. The report further says that an amount of Rs 8.23 billion was refunded to the taxpayers on FTO’s recommendations.
FPSC ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT
Chairman Federal Public Service Commission, Malik Asif Hayat, called on President Mamnoon Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadar on Friday and presented him the annual report-2013 of the FPSC.
The annual report covers the functions, activities, observations and recommendations of the FPSC for the last calendar year focusing on the recruitments carried out by the FPSC during 2013 including central superior services competitive examination, recruitment for technical and professional ex-cadre posts and section officers promotional examinations.
Malik Asif Hayat, who is going to retire on August 14, 2014, highlighted the role of the FPSC in maintaining a strict adherence to merit, while ensuring transparency and fair competition.
The president appreciated the role being played by the FPSC in selecting competent and qualified persons for the public service. Emphasising on merit-based selection and recruitment, the president said that FPSC had a vital role towards selection of right man for the right job. Appreciating the services of Hayat as chairman FPSC, the president also wished the outgoing chairman good health and success in his future career.