I AM a retired citizen residing in DHA Lahore. I normally pay my motor vehicle tax at a local post office in the month of July to avoid rush. However, this year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the matter was delayed by a few weeks.

When I went to the post office I was directed to visit the Excise and Taxation office located at nearby market to pay the tax. When I went to their office I was told to pay the tax online since the payment facility at the counter had been withdrawn. And at the same time I was given an address with a telephone number that if I was unable to carry out the exercise myself, the person whose contact was given would help me accomplish the task. Since I am not very conversant with computer skills, I preferred the second option and got the job done by paying an extra Rs1,000.

I would like to know why the Excise and Taxation authorities have withdrawn the facility of tax collection at the office counter as this is forcing senior citizens to pay extra money to just to pay their tax.

Tax collection is the organisation’s prime objective, and to create hindrances in its smooth collection negates the basic purpose. The authorities must continue to provide assistance to citizens at the office desk instead of discontinuing the facility. This measure will provide relief to the citizens as they would be able to pay their dues on time and without incurring extra cost.

Ejaz Bukht Durrani
Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2020