Ombudsman seeks report from DG Excise on printing press owner’s complaint

Lahore: Ombudsman Punjab Javed Mahmood has issued notice to Director General Excise & Taxation Punjab to submit compliance report on the orders regarding non-payment of dues to a local printing press on account of supply order of printing the transparent computerized token tax stickers.

According to detail, Zaki Basir, proprietor of Intekhab-e-Jadid printing press, lodged a complaint to Ombudsman Punjab that Excise & Taxation Department placed an order, through Government Printing Press, to print as many as 2 lakh transparent token stickers, bearing computerized numbers, for year 2013-2014.

The printing material was made ready but the Excise Department declined to lift it on ground that the scheme has been scrapped by the newly appointed Director General Excise & Taxation Punjab. Excise & Taxation Department is neither ready to receive the printing material nor entertaining the payment bill of Rs 10 lakh which is causing loss to the company.

The amount was to be paid during last financial year and budget lapsed on June 30th hence the amount is still outstanding, said the complainant. Ombudsman Punjab in his order pointed out that as per documents produced, the supply order of the scheme was issued against which the claim of the dues was requested. It is grave kind of maladministration which needs consideration. Ombudsman Punjab ordered Director General Excise & Taxation to look into the complaint and redress the grievances in the light of law and policy keeping in view the principle of natural justice and inform the Ombudsman Punjab about the outcome within one month.

Since Director General Excise & Taxation Punjab has not redressed the grievance within given time so Ombudsman Punjab has issued notice to DG Excise for September 22 to explain the reasons for not complying the orders. Non-compliance of the orders of Ombudsman Punjab shall be treated as “ Defiance of Recommendation” and shall be dealt with as provided in the Ombudsman Punjab Act, clearly mention in the notice.