ISLAMABAD, July 21: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Justice (Retd) Munir A Sheikh has asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to investigate improper handling of an importer’s refund case and fix responsibility in this regard.

The ombudsman observed that the department has committed an act of mal-administration by not responding to the letters, reminders and applications of the complainant.

The decision was taken by the FTO on the complaint of M/S Idrees Steel, Karachi against deputy collector of customs (Appraisement) Group III for non-refund of customs duty on shortage of weight of imported goods to the complainant.

The ombudsman directed the FBR to ask the collector of customs to investigate the matter, fix responsibility for inaction and not responding to the letters of the importer and take suitable disciplinary action against the defaulting officials.

The Federal Tax Ombudsman recommended to the FBR to direct the department to explain why an incomplete reply to the complainant was submitted to this office without commenting on the allegations for delay in payment of refund and merely intimating issue of a cheque to the complainant.