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Secretary General, Revenue Division & Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue, Mr. M. Abdullah Yusuf has called for efficient use of modern technology for more revenue generation, enhancing tax-to-GDP ratio and expanding the tax base.
He was addressing the Workshop on Management Automation Projects held at the FBR Headquarters today. Among others, officers dealing with the automation work at field offices of FBR attended the Workshop.
Chairman stressed upon the officers to equip themselves with latest techniques and technologies. "This organisation has great potential. Once you are fully equipped with modern knowledge, techniques and technology, then it would not be difficult to achieve the desired results", he added. He was of the opinion that as an institution or country, we have to go for a better change. No country or organisation can grow and progress if it remains stagnant. We have to change ourselves with this rapid changing world to face the challenges of modern times, he opined.
Chairman said that although we were happy to cross the psychological barrier of Rs. One trillion in revenue collection in last fiscal year (2007-08) but, according to his judgement, still there was a gap of Rs. 400 bn to Rs. 500 billion exists today. This gap cannot be bridged until and unless we enhance our tax-to-GDP ratio from existing 11% to 15 / 16%. Its not impossible provided we have the will, commitment and tools to do it, Mr. Abdullah Yusuf observed. He, however, said that despite all constraints, handicaps and non-availability of necessary tools we have been able to expand our tax base in last four years form one million to 2.2 million taxpayers at the growth rate of 20% per annum.
Similarly, we have been able to enhance the revenue collection at an average of about 18% per annum. "This is good & fine but, we have to plug the existing gap". In next seven years, we have to achieve the target of 15 /16% tax-to-GDP ratio with an annual growth of atleast 0.5 %, the Secretary General added.
Commenting on the on-going automation projects, Mr. Abdullah Yusuf said that we have to realise the dream of making FBR a totally paperless organisation.
He asked the relevant officers and officials to make all possible efforts to achieve this goal.
On the occasion, the Chairman reminded FBR employees of their responsibilities towards making FBR a most progressive and efficient organisation. He added that the special treatment being given to FBR employees, in perks and privileges, by the Government was not for all times to come " We have to prove through our actions and achievements that we fully deserve for this treatment," he remarked.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Director (Projects), FBR, Mr. Muhammad Asghar Chaudhry informed that currently four pilot automation projects were in the process of development and implementation. They are; "Human Resource Management Solution (HRMS)" "Electronic Correspondence Management System (e-Dox),' "Budget & Accounts/Inventory Management System- SAP" and "e-Archiving." All these projects are at different stages of implementation at FBR Headquarters. After their completion, they will be replicated in the field offices of the Board, Mr. Chaudhry added. He said that these systems will bring transparency and efficiency in the overall administration and management system of the Board.
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