JHANG, Feb 15: Revenue has reduced substantially over the past few years after the postings of income tax officials at their hometowns, reveals a survey by a group of journalists in Jhang.

Private clinics and departmental stores are the main beneficiaries of this extremely benevolent policy of the tax men.

Although the private practice of leading doctors have increased manifold during the recent years, their tax returns show a downward trend due to the courtesy of the department. This has also become known that these ‘beneficiaries’ hire the expert services of IT department employees for the preparation of their tax returns.

The survey reveals the department highups do not even bother to verify the authenticity of these returns. Contrary to this, those who do not grease the palms of officials have to suffer increases in the tax.

Quoting an example, a senior journalist discloses that a local boot house had been assessed a taxable amount of Rs65,000. When the owner did not pay the bribe, the amount was suddenly raised to Rs86,000 by making changes in the income tax DCR.

When contacted, circle No 13 ITO Shujaat Hussain said though he was a local, he preferred duty over personal friendship.