Finance Minister Wagle orders action plan to curb revenue leakage
KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has ordered officials to draw up an action plan to curb revenue leakage.
He suggested the central revenue leakage control committee could meet to prepare the plan and said a clear policy on reducing tax rates and expanding the tax remit will be introduced to boost revenue. He warned that anyone, group or class involved in smuggling will not be spared and said an atmosphere for enforcement of tax rules will be created.
Dr Wagle pointed to the absence of a 'mission model' of performance as a reason for failing to meet targets in routine work despite substantial development managed by the Nepali administration, and proposed a 'task model' for regular responsibilities. He said disputes over tax will be settled as soon as possible, the number of non‑filer taxpayers will be reduced, and the workforce will be strengthened accordingly. He also called for clear terms of reference for related bodies to curb revenue leakage.
Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, who attended the meeting, directed secretaries and department chiefs to stop shirking responsibilities and blaming one another, saying a dedicated action plan was imperative to control revenue. He added that infrastructure and workforce at border points should be upgraded and that necessary equipment must be made available.
Uttar Kumar Khatri, chief of the Revenue Management Division at the Ministry of Finance, presented the current status of revenue, identified risky zones of revenue loss, outlined the role of the media and set out challenges and further reform plans. Chiefs of various departments then briefed how their departments were working on revenue collection and the problems they face.
The meeting was attended by HoR member Sushil Khadka, the secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the home secretary, the finance secretary, the revenue secretary, director generals of related departments and chiefs of security agencies.
