SARGODHA, Nov 15: Corruption in the Directorate of Excise and Taxation has made it impossible to get a work done without the assistance of agents sitting outside the offices.
Excise and taxation officers (ETO), with the connivance of agents and old tractor parts dealers, have been causing huge loss to the public exchequer by helping in motor tax evasion and registering new vehicles against the documents of old vehicles which have become scrap.
Sargodha city is considered one of the biggest markets of used tractor parts of the country. Their dealers, with the assistance of ETOs, were selling reconstructed tractors against fake receipts and registration number. There are at least four dealers operating outside the excise offices and they are charging huge amount from transporters who want to save token tax.
The agents are so influential that no information or query can be made without greasing their palm. One Imran contacted an ETO to get information about a motorcycle registered with the office. But he was denied on the pretext that the record keeper was not available. When he paid Rs100 to an agent, he provided him details within five minutes.
When this scribe contacted ETO and motor branch, they denied the allegation. However, they were reluctant to explain the involvement of agents in their office.
They claimed that agents were helping the people in preparing documents.
An insider, who claimed anonymity, told this scribe that the entire staff was depending upon the agents only to avoid the raid of anti-corruption.
According to him, the present ETO and director make regular payments to their high-ups to carry out their ‘business’ without any fear or hindrance.
He claimed that at present, the ETO office was paying about Rs300,000 per month to their officers and the directorate office was making payment up to Rs100,000 per month.
The excise and taxation director, when contacted, said he has always shown obedience towards his high-up, political elite and other men who matter, hence he need not explain his working and he was not worried about the inquiries.
When asked how they were earning such a huge amount, he said by issuing illegal liquor permits and selling opium pills at the rate of Rs20 to Rs40 per pill.
This scribe also watched working of agents who are earning up to Rs5,000 per day per head. The agents are also helping the people in getting duplicate registration books of their vehicles by getting fake reports of various police stations with the help of a head-constable, who is known as Rana. He remains present around the office all day. He is reportedly posted at the Police Lines. He is considered an expert in writing fake reports.
The agents also help attest stamp papers by the notary public without registering date.
It is learnt that goods transporters are regular customers of the excise office. They pay huge sums to avoid payment of various taxes.
Police had once raided the camps of agents sitting in front of the directorate offices. Later, they set up their permanent offices in the shops and they are doing their business without any hesitation.