ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed major penalty upon a Customs chemical examiner for submitting wrong / misleading laboratory reports.
According to details disciplinary proceedings under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020 were initiated against Aftab Ahmad, Assistant Chemical Examiner (BS-17), while posted at Collectorate of Customs, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi on July 13, 2021.
Engr. Habib Ahmed the then Additional Collector (PCS/BS-19), Collectorate of Customs (Exports), Karachi was appointed as Inquiry Officer to conduct inquiry on account of various omission and commission committed by the accused officer constituting “Inefficiency” and “Misconduct”.
The inquiry officer submitted in the report on April 09, 2022 according to which the charges of “Inefficiency” and “Misconduct” were established against the accused officer.
On the basis of inquiry report, a show cause notice was issued on May 28, 2022 to Aftab Ahmad, Assistant Chemical Examiner (BS-17), Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (West), Karachi.
He submitted reply to the Show Cause Notice, which was received in the Board on June 29, 2022, wherein he denied all the allegations/charges and requested that the Show Cause Notice is illegal and requires to be withdrawn.
He also requested personal hearing enabling him to explain his case in person as well.
In order to meet the ends of justice, opportunity of personal hearing was granted to the accused and the Authority appointed Member (Admn/HR) as Hearing Officer.
On August 22, 2022, the accused officer appeared before the Hearing Officer. During the course of personal hearing, the submissions made by the accused officer were found without evidence and merits for submitting wrong/misleading laboratory test reports.
Moreover, the Hearing Officer had observed that the accused officer had nothing new to say in his defense. Accordingly, the case was submitted to the Authority i.e. Secretary Revenue Division/Chairman, FBR for decision.
The Authority i.e. Secretary Revenue Division/Chairman, FBR, after having carefully considered the record of the case, the Inquiry Report, reply to the Show Cause Notice and submission made by the accused during the personal hearing before the Hearing Officer, observed that charges of “Inefficiency” and “Misconduct” under Rule 3(a) & (b) of Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020 stand established against the accused officer.
The Authority, therefore, imposed major penalty of “Reduction to a Lower Post as Deputy Assistant Chemical Examiner (BS-16)” for a period of three (3) years”, upon Aftab Ahmad, Assistant Chemical Examiner (BS-17), under Rule 4(3)(b) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
