Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday that the CBR had issued last review of 'January-March 2005-06'. However, the CBR Fiscal Research and Statistics (FRS) Wing has not yet released the last two quarterly reviews. The research and analysis of revenue collection is a key component under the ongoing reform process. But, it seemed the board is more interested in installation of surveillance cameras, deputation of special security officers, and 'corporate branding' of the CBR headquarters.
Sources said that nobody knows about the research and data analysis conducted during the last six months due to delay in the issuance of these reviews. The reviews give details about the revenue analysis, sector-wise tax collection, tax collected from major revenue spinners, tax projections, update on reforms process and other tax-related issues.
On the other hand, the in-depth research of revenue collected during the last quarter of fiscal 2005-06 and first quarter of fiscal 2006-07 is not available to the readers. The CBR is compiling a comprehensive database on taxpayers and major industrial sectors paying taxes. But, the basic data on revenue collection is not available for the taxpayers in the form of 'quarterly reviews'.
The CBR has equipped the FRS Wing with all necessary facilities, including ample staff, special pay packages, latest technology, and online access the CBR data complied by the field formation. In these circumstances, the extraordinary delay in the issuance of reviews is not understandable.
Sources said the CBR had started issuing quarterly performance reviews on the directive of Prime Minster Shaukat Aziz.