Paktika revenue increasing

SHARAN (PAN): Despite facing a shortage of staff, the income of southeastern Paktika province’s revenue department is on the increase, compared to previous years’ returns, officials say.

Against the 80 approved posts for it, only a dozen employees are currently working for the department, Revenue Director Mohammad Zahir Wafa said during an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News.

There has been a 5.7 million afghanis increase in the department’s income, as estimated by the Ministry of Finance, for the 1388 solar year and a 5.15 million afghanis rise for 1389.

Its income jumped by 5 million afs in the past six months, compared to the same period last year, the director said, hoping the revenue would double to reach 28 million afghanis over the next six months.

The revenue is collected from private companies, shops and other properties, according to the official, who said it was a big achievement for department employees to collect more income, as estimated by the ministry.

Wafa said there were fewer educated and professional people in the province, with qualified individuals unwilling to work for the government for reasons, including insecurity.

The revenue department was not the only one facing a staff shortage, he said, adding other departments had similar complaints. If skilled personnel were appointed to the department, its revenue would quadruple, he believed.

Revenue Manager Mohammad Shah said every employee had a part-time job. The department did not collect revenue at the district level, he explained. Previously, traders, shopkeepers and industrialists evaded taxes, but now the situation has now improved.

myn/ma/mud

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