Karachi: Adopting modern technology will lead to substantial increase in municipal tax collection, Deputy Commissioner and Administrator District Central Taha Saleem said while addressing a seminar on use of modern technology. Event was held at Jinnah Cultural Complex and Model Library in New Karachi. He said that tax officers will wear regular uniforms while visiting business centres. He said that funds being received by district from Sindh government are less than salary of employees and funds being received in form of municipal tax barely covers other expenses.

Municipal Commissioner Baldia Zahid Ali  said that local government is third pillar of government while it is important in development of social life. It plays role that cannot be ignored. According to local government rules, municipality is authorised to collect municipal tax from 24 districts in central, but at present, tax is being collected from only four to six districts. He said that performance of local bodies depends on collection of taxes, but when it comes to prepare budget, allocation of funds between development and non-development projects and local government expenditure becomes difficult.

Central municipality has low income and high expenditure. However, central municipality is performing municipal services efficiently by covering its expenses with an effective strategy. Telling attendees about e-Municipal Tax Portal (E-Municipal Tax Portal) established for tax payment, Director of Taxation Saima Fatima told under mentioned programme, now all businessmen can not only sit at their homes to determine category of their business and tax due, but they will also be able to pay tax online thus save their time and avoid unnecessary trouble.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 12 2022

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