ISLAMABAD, Aug 23: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Justice (retired) Saleem Akhtar has asked the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to issue instructions to all officers concerned for allowing effect to the orders in appeal and clear the backlog by December 31.

The ombudsman recommended that the Member Income Tax, CBR, directly or through the regional commissioners should issue instructions to all officers concerned, asking them not to provide any cause to asses sees for alleging mal administration on account of inattention or delay in allowing effect to the orders.

He said if any officer was found responsible for maladministration after the aforesaid date, the officer concerned would be liable to major punishment under the "Removal from service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000".

Mr Akhtar said the member income tax ensured the implementation of the recommendations of Federal Tax Ombudsman's special report on accounting of income tax collection or any better devised system by December 31.