GUJRANWALA: Four tax officials suspended for graft
GUJRANWALA, Jan 12: Four tax officials were suspended here on Wednesday following a sales tax and central excise refund cases scandal. Reports said some traders filed their refund claims and these officials cleared the cases after 'deals.'
Those suspended were identified as office superintendent Abdul Rashid, assistant-collector Muhammad Asif Ghurki and two auditors Ijazul Hassan and Faisal Mehmood Qureshi. They were also issued show-cause notices. CBR assistant-director Ashfaq Ahmad has been appointed inquiry officer.
PROTEST: Traders gave vent to their resentment against the CBR for re-seeking details of their business and income despite furnishing of income tax returns for scrutiny and payment of 20 per cent extra calculated income tax.
These views were expressed by traders at a meeting held here on Wednesday with Markazi Anjuman Tajran president Shaikh Zulfikar Ali in the chair. They said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had assured the business community that their income tax returns would be accepted as it was if they paid extra 20 per cent calculated income tax.
They threatened to go on a shutter down strike if the government did not withdraw its decision. Meanwhile, the tax bar association also criticized the government's decision and termed it unjust.
ROAD PROJECT: The government has released Rs300 million for dualization of the GT Road from Chand Da Qila By-pass Intersection to Sheikhupura Morr in the second phase.
This was stated by a district government spokesman at a briefing here on Wednesday. He said another bridge would be constructed on Chenab Upper Canal besides repairing the old bridge as it had become dangerous for heavy traffic.
Reports said the government had released funds for the construction of service road along the GT Road from Rawalpindi By-pass Intersection to Gondlanwala Chowk. But it could not be completed despite a lapse of several years due to some hurdles as a result people are facing a great deal of inconvenience.