ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday imposed major penalty of ‘compulsory retirement’ upon a lady tax officer on the charges of misconduct i.e. unauthorized absence from duty.
In an order, the FBR said that disciplinary proceedings were initiated under the Government Servant (Efficiency & Discipl ine) Rules, 1973 against Ms. Saira Bano (IRS/BS-18), Deputy Commissioner-IR/OSD, Regional Tax Office, Lahore through Charge Sheet and Statement of Allegations dated October 08, 2019 on the charges of “Misconduct” on account of unauthorized absence from duty since August 01, 2016.
Muhammad Majid (IRS/BS-20), the then Commissioner-IR, RTO-II, Lahore was appointed as Inquiry Officer vide Board’s letter dated October 08, 2019. As per Inquiry Report charges leveled against Ms. Saira Bano (IRS/BS-18) stood established.
On the basis of inquiry report, the accused officer was issued Show Cause Notice on 23.12.2019. An opportunity of personal hearing was granted to the accused officer by Member (Admn)/Authorized Officer on 03.06.2020.
Ms. Saira Bano (IRS/BS-18) vide her letter dated 23.05.2020 regretted to appear for the personal hearing. She was granted final opportunity of personal hearing by Member (Admn)/Authorized Officer on 23.06.2020, however, the officer did not appear for personal hearing. Member (Admn)/Authorized Officer recommended to the Authority i.e Secretary Revenue Division/Chairman FBR, imposition of Major Penalty of “Compulsory Retirement” in terms of Rule 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 1973 upon Ms. Saira Bano (IRS/BS-18).
Secretary Revenue Division/Chairman FBR being Authority in the instant case granted an opportunity of personal hearing to Ms. Saira Bano (IRS/BS-18) on 07.08.2020. Final opportunity of personal hearing was granted by Secretary Revenue Division/Chairman FBR on 02.09.2020. Secretary Revenue Division/Chairman FBR being Authority in the instant case, keeping in view the length of service of the officer, concurred with the recommendations of the Authorized Officer and therefore imposed the major penalty of “Compulsory Retirement” upon Ms. Saira Bano (IRS/BS-18), Deputy Commissioner-IR/OSD, Regional Tax Office, Lahore under rule 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 1973 with immediate effect.
The period of unauthorized absence from duty from 01.08.2016 till date will be treated as Extra Ordinary Leave (without pay). Ms. Saira Bano (IRS/BS-18) shall have right of Appeal as admissible in the Civil Servants (Appeal) Rules, 1977.
