Finance Minister Khanal calls for coordination to curb revenue leakage
BIRGUNJ, PARSA: Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal has emphasised that weaknesses in revenue leakage must be resolved through co‑operation and coordination among concerned bodies.
Speaking at a Revenue Leakage Control Coordination Committee meeting held at the Birgunj Customs Office today, Minister Khanal urged all agencies to work together to control smuggling and instructed authorities to target the point of delivery of illicit goods rather than concentrating on petty roadside seizures, saying this will be more effective against organised smuggling.
“I request that necessary action procedures be initiated by distinguishing between those who bring goods for daily subsistence and those who smuggle,” Khanal said, adding that all state bodies must take effective steps to curb revenue leakage by coordinating and cooperating with one another.
Minister Khanal said the responsibility for revenue is not the finance ministry’s alone. “All bodies are one unit. We are not mutual competitors. The responsibility for revenue is not just of the ministry, but of all state bodies. Therefore, it is necessary to work hand in hand,” he said, and directed agencies to jointly resolve the weaknesses seen in revenue leakage.
He emphasised the need for improved coordination among the local administration, the customs office and the three security agencies — Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, Nepal — to halt illegal smuggling and exports. “All three security agencies also need to cooperate in information coordination,” Khanal said, warning that simply increasing seizure targets is not a satisfactory approach and urging attention to that issue.
The minister also called on border employees and revenue officials to maintain a polite and civil demeanour towards service recipients, saying staff must work “in accordance with the feelings of the service recipients, as we are deployed for them.”
Ministry of Finance division chief Uttar Kumar Khatri said now is the appropriate time to control smuggling. “Since no political pressure or influence is coming at this time, I request you to carry out your duties properly,” he said, directing officials to be actively engaged in controlling revenue leakage.
Director General of the Department of Revenue Investigation Tirtha Raj Chiluwal asked all concerned to take effective steps to curb smuggling from border areas. Director General of the Department of Customs Shyam Prasad Bhandari stressed that a joint effort is essential to control revenue leakage.
Parsa Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal pledged to take planned steps in cooperation with relevant agencies to address revenue leakage.
Chief Customs Administrator of the Birgunj Customs Office Bishnu Prasad Gyawali said the office’s revenue collection was encouraging. “In the three months of the current fiscal year, 89% of the target revenue has been collected,” Gyawali said. “Revenue collection has increased by 12.34% compared to the first three months of the last fiscal year.”
By RSS
