The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Tax Ombudsman Khairuzzaman Chowdhury on Thursday said his office has been working for reducing unnecessary harassment of taxpayers.

"We are working in a quite comfortable and neutral atmosphere at present and we are not experiencing pressure from any influential quarter," Chowdhury said.

In this context, he said any aggrieved taxpayer could submit his complaint against the officials concerned without any hesitation.

"But the accusation must be genuine and based on facts," former NBR Chairman Khairuzzaman said adding that "We want transparency and accountability in every tier of the tax sector".

Ombudsman Chowdhury was addressing as the chief guest a discussion meeting styled "Ombudsman Law-2005" in the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

A number of businessmen, representatives of different public and private sector commercial banks and other financial institutions and customs and tax official attended the meeting.

He referred to the widespread allegations used to made against the tax officials by different quarters before his taking over the office and said at present complaints are not being submitted to his office on the same scale. But I don't think that all the tax collection offices have become corruption-free at this moment, he added.

About piling up of tax related cases with the Supreme Court and Appellate Tribunal, he said the Tax Ombudsman office has now become effective to reduce the pressure and laid stress on all-out cooperation of the taxpayers to make the institution functioning properly.

Ombudsman Adviser (Indirect Tax) Dr. Rashidul Ahsan illustrated an overview of the law in his keynote presentation.

With RCCI President Hassen Ali in the chair, Ombudsman Adviser (Direct Tax) SM Zahir, Customs Commissioner Shah Alam Khan and Income Tax Commissioner Golam Nabi addressed the meeting as the special guests.