Handling of income tax cases being hampered
Our Correspondent | Wednesday, 16 July 2008
SYLHET, July 15: Only eight officers are on duty to settle more than hundred of thousands income tax cases in 9 income tax circles of Sylhet zone on the backdrop of the rapidly increased number of income taxpayers after the 1/11 regime change.
The functions of Sylhet income tax department are running quite slowly under the leadership of eight deputy commissioners. In some circles, the duty of a deputy commissioner is being done by the third and fourth-class employees.
Sources said, the 9 circles also include a company circle in the zone. In each circle, there are around 10 to 15 thousand cases and only one deputy commissioner has to handle the mammoth task.
In such a miserable condition, the deputy commissioner of 3rd circle was transferred three months ago. This post is still vacant.
On the other hand as only one officer has to handle about 10 to 15 thousand cases, he can't get the chance to see a case file more than once in a year.
As a result, the 3rd and 4th class employees are performing the duties of deputy commissioners unofficially.
The Secretary General of Sylhet Divisional Income Tax Lawyer Association Advocate Mrittunjoy Dhar Vola said the most urgent demand to reform the organogram of Sylhet income tax department, through dividing the zone into 39 tax circles increasing the existing number of 9 circles, is still being delayed.
The Sylhet income tax department does not have its own office-building till now. The functioning of the zone is carried out in several buildings on hire. As a result coordination of activities is seriously hampered.
A concerned official said the amount of money, which is paid as the rent of the buildings is enough to make the own accommodation. He said, despite the manpower shortage, about 31 per cent additional revenue was collected from Sylhet in the last fiscal year. This rate must reach at a more satisfactory level if the shortage of manpower is resolved, he said.
The functions of Sylhet income tax department are running quite slowly under the leadership of eight deputy commissioners. In some circles, the duty of a deputy commissioner is being done by the third and fourth-class employees.
Sources said, the 9 circles also include a company circle in the zone. In each circle, there are around 10 to 15 thousand cases and only one deputy commissioner has to handle the mammoth task.
In such a miserable condition, the deputy commissioner of 3rd circle was transferred three months ago. This post is still vacant.
On the other hand as only one officer has to handle about 10 to 15 thousand cases, he can't get the chance to see a case file more than once in a year.
As a result, the 3rd and 4th class employees are performing the duties of deputy commissioners unofficially.
The Secretary General of Sylhet Divisional Income Tax Lawyer Association Advocate Mrittunjoy Dhar Vola said the most urgent demand to reform the organogram of Sylhet income tax department, through dividing the zone into 39 tax circles increasing the existing number of 9 circles, is still being delayed.
The Sylhet income tax department does not have its own office-building till now. The functioning of the zone is carried out in several buildings on hire. As a result coordination of activities is seriously hampered.
A concerned official said the amount of money, which is paid as the rent of the buildings is enough to make the own accommodation. He said, despite the manpower shortage, about 31 per cent additional revenue was collected from Sylhet in the last fiscal year. This rate must reach at a more satisfactory level if the shortage of manpower is resolved, he said.