Outsourcing tax collection

The government machinery assigned to collect various taxes is failing and, unfortunately, governments at the federal, provincial, and city levels have to resort to unorthodox ways to collect revenue. The collection of various kinds of taxes via electricity bills is a glaring example of how the government does not trust its own system but has more faith in utility companies to successfully collect tax on their behalf. I strongly believe that utility bills should be free from all kinds of taxes as their inclusion not only raises the payable amount. Electricity tariffs have already increased many folds in the last two to three years.

To increase the already high payable amount by including various taxes in the bills is not sensible policy. It is high time that consumers stand up for their rights and stop unwillingly accepting all the government’s decisions. The PM, in a recent statement, expressed the government’s intention to bring down electricity prices. This good intention of the PM is welcomed by all quarters but to make this announcement a reality, he should immediately pass an order to make electricity bills tax-free.

Tanzeel Khanzada

Karachi