According to the sources, a presentation was given by FBR Chief Boarding of Tax Base (BTB) on the progress made on the issue of mapping and geo-tagging of retail outlets. The committee was apprised that an EOI was floated to ascertain expertise in the private sector in response to which 12 firms submitted proposals. Based on their technical expertise these firms were evaluated preliminarily by the CEO Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL). Resultantly, five companies were earmarked for a presentation before Member (Ops) and Member (BTB) in which they delineated their methodology, approach, technical expertise and experience in this realm.
It was informed that only three firms have submitted sample surveys. There was similarity in approach of these firms. They used Google maps, land mark indicator and visual display. It was also submitted that geo-tagging is a costly exercise, ranging from Rs 200 per outlet (or $5-6 million for the whole of Pakistan) and modalities regarding funding/availability of budget, formulation of TORs, setting up of technical procurement committee and tendering, require to be worked out. The member TRIC RC offered that a Pakistan company may offer data of over three million entities which includes about 0.3 million business outlets duly geo-mapped GRATIS.
After thorough deliberations and input from the members, the TRIC decided that segment-wise/region-wise approach be adopted. The modalities involved in advancing the process of geo-tagging ie funding, formulation of TORs and all other allied matters be worked out in detail. It was also decided that geo-tagging may be done as a pilot project in Islamabad. Simultaneously, this work can also be assigned to Inspectors-IR. It was also suggested that Chief (Legal) be co-opted for this assignment.
In this regard, the board intends to prepare a digital directory of the retail outlets across Pakistan. For this purpose it intends to carry out GIS mapping of the retailers. The geo-tagging and mapping information required from each marked entity will include (but not limited to) existing business data (wherever available) which will be tagged and mapped along with the marking of the target routes/areas; additional information regarding category and classification within category of entity will be accurately captured for each entity marked on Google Maps and visual display of distribution network, the FBR said.
The geo-tagging and mapping information would also include penetration analysis; mapping against decision logic forecasting; thematic mapping for business area mapping and web and mobile locator maps with interactive driving directions. Proposals are invited from registered (sales tax/income tax) reputed information technology based firms for the aforementioned task. The proposal must reflect the relevant expertise and experience of the firm in conduct of similar assignments. Detailed TOR's may be obtained from the office of the FBR. The short-listed firms will be informed accordingly by FBR. The EOI must be submitted within 15 days of the publication of the notice to the FBR, the Board added.
The FBR Chief (Taxpayer's Audit) informed TRC that international tender/advertisement for requisitioning the services of forensic auditors for carrying out the forensic audit could not be published due to some reservations by the former Member (Taxpayers' Audit).
The secretary (ST&FE) made a presentation on Tier-1 retailers wherein an overview of the Restaurant Invoice Monitoring System (RIMS) was provided. It was informed that the software is operational in Punjab and that by virtue of addition of real time sales invoices data can be transmitted from restaurants to FBR headquarters through integration of computer systems.
The committee was also apprised of the modalities involved in the launching of RIMS and comparison of PRA and FBR systems. The secretary (ST&FE) also provided list of 10 restaurants of ICT for implementation of RIMS pilot run. The committee was also informed that RIMS can be launched in ICT by May 30, 2017. After thorough deliberations and seeking input from the members of TRIC, it was decided that comprehensive web-based RIMS in Islamabad may be implemented for the restaurants, with certain gas/electricity threshold, in the budget 2017-18 as policy measures.
The member (HRM), convener of the sub-committee informed that in the light of decision of TRIC draft advertisement relating to track and trace system and monitoring of tobacco production has been prepared and sent for approval. The chairman FBR informed the committee that advertisement has been approved. After thorough deliberations and input from the members of TRIC it was decided that the relevant advertisement with regard to monitoring of tobacco production would be published in the local print media by the May 7, 2017 followed by an international advertisement. The advertisement will also be uploaded on PPRA/FBR websites. The sub-committee may apprise the TRIC regarding the various steps involved in the evaluation process/pre-bidding process in detail in the next meeting of the TRIC.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017