LCCI calls for stopping tax officials from harassing traders

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Federal Board of Revenue to stop misuse of Section 38B of the Sales Tax Act 1990 which is creating atmosphere of harassment.

The demand was raised at a meeting between the LCCI President Abdul Basit, Vice-President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan and 40-member delegation of Brandreth Road here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The LCCI Executive Committee members Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry, Zeeshan Khalil, Awais Saeed Piracha, Syed Mukhtar Ali, Moazzam Rasheed, Mian Muhammad Nawaz, Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim, former EC members Rehmatullah Javed and Rizwan Akhter Shamsi were also present on the occasion.

Issues of traffic mess, encroachment, high valuation of various goods, difficult taxation system and misuse of discretionary powers also came under discussion.The LCCI president said that FBR should stop tax officials from creating an atmosphere of harassment. He said a number of LCCI members had complained that the officials entered the business premises without prior notices or any intimation.

He said that misuse of discretionary powers and raids on business premises had created an atmosphere of harassment among the business community. He said private sector was ready to supplement all government efforts aimed at reviving economic activities in country if they were provided breathing space but in the presence of such anti-business tactics, it would be very difficult for private sector to continue with their businesses.

On the issue of massive increase in valuation of various goods, the LCCI President Abdul Basi said that the LCCI had already taken up this issue with the Directorate General of Valuation. They urged the DG Valuation to resolve this issue at the earliest as heavy increase in valuation will encourage smuggling that would harm the national economy. They said that Directorate General of Customs Valuation should listen to the point of view of the importers of unbranded garments and find out an amicable solution of the issue. He said that if new valuation mechanism continued to be implemented, importers of garments would be left with no other option but to adopt illegal ways to import garments or become defaulter.

The LCCI office-bearers called for settlement of the issues like traffic jam, encroachments, construction of parking plazas and aging drainage system on the priority basis. The LCCI Vice-President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan also announced establishing a help desk on the LCCI premises for traders soon.