ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Abdur Rauf Chaudhry, has recommended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to conduct an inquiry into “highhandedness and administrative excesses” of the officers of Regional Tax office (RTO), Multan.
Multan RTO Chief Commissioner Hafiz Awaisi and his subordinates had issued as many as 40 notices to appellant, Ashiq Hussain Malik, during from February 17, 2014 to August 6, 2014 which the FTO termed “mala fide, vindictive, biased, arbitrary and unlawful”.
The FTO had announced this after compiling the verdict on a case filed by Medical Superintendent, Nishter Medical Hospital, Multan, Ashiq Hussain Malik against officers of RTO, Multan. The appellant had complained the FTO about maladministration and misconduct of the RTO Multan top officers.
Through investigating into the matter, the FTO found that appellant was heavily pressurized by the Chief Commissioner RTO, Multan, Hafiz Awaisi for disregarding an application of Haifz Awaisi’s nephew, Dr Zubair Hussain Awaisi, Assistant Professor of Dentistry Institute, Multan.
Zubair Awaisi had asked Ashiq Hussain to allot an accommodation in the hostel of Nisher Medical College,Multan. Following his denial to comply with the demand which was termed ‘illegal’, Chief Commissioner RTO, Multan, Hafiz Awaisi started a pressurizing campaign against Ashiq Hussain”, FTO stated.
It was further reported that reported: ” the chief commissioner, Hafiz Awaisi, allegedly pressurized the complainant (Ashiq Hussain) through his subordinate official Abdul Hameed, for allotment of accommodation to his nephew”.
Having failed to pressurize the Hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Ashiq Hussain Malik, AR indicated that the chief commissioner reportedly got annoyed and as many as forty (40) notices were issued to the Ashiq Hussain and his family members, i.e. his old father and wife, FTO investigations underscored.
Moreover, show cause notices were issued to the complainant for tax years 2009 to 2013. Taz year 2012 was selected for audit. For taz year 2009 and 2010, show cause notices were issued under Section 122(5A) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, FTO reported.
While concluding the matter, the FTO indicated RTO, Multan officers’ conduct reflecting “highhandedness” and “administrative excesses” and recommended the FBR to take notice of such arbitrary and capricious acts of officers and hold an “impartial inquiry” into the matter.
The FBR had submitting its comments under Section 10(4) of FTO Ordinance 2000, in the case. It is pertinent to mention that RTO, Multan alleged officer had denied the charges.
