ISLAMABAD: For the of eradication of corruption within the institution, Federal Board of Revenue has decided to form Integrity Management Unit (IMU) which will be headed by Director General of Intelligence and Investigations-Customs Lutfullah Virk.
Formation of the unit is a policy decision which was approved during a meeting of Board in Council which was presided over by FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa.
No new officials will be inducted into the unit. Instead officials of good repute from Intelligence and other FBR departments will be appointed. IMU will not be able to take any action by itself. Its jurisdiction will include investigation after which it will submit report with the FBR authorities. High officials of the Board will then decide as to what decision should be taken.
Despite introduction of a mechanism to get rid of black sheep within the institution, some factions have showed their concerns that official and institutional politics can get involved into making wrong use of the mechanism.
Some officers of the FBR have said that a check and balance system already exists in the institution. Every officer knows about his/her subordinates and they can take action against them.
According to sources, Integrity Management Unit’s job will be to sort out corrupt officers in FBR and initiate investigations against those officers who have been most complained of. The method of investigation will start with the enquiry of files which have been approved by such officers. IMU will also be able to check field officers and the files in their possessions. Sources said that checking of files will be the prime method of investigations.
In case any kind of concession will have been granted in matters pertaining to customs duty, income tax or excise duty, the unit will start inquisitions of the official concerned. File is one thing which can easily reveal that to what extent benefits have been granted to whom, sources added.
