No menace but dialogue with taxpayers to increase revenue: Finance Minister Wagle

BIRGUNJ, PARSA: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has directed employees at Birgunj Customs Office to meet the revenue target and warned that those involved in irregularities will face stringent action.

Speaking during an inspection at the office in Birgunj today, Minister Wagle said there is pressure to collect tax but stressed that dialogue with industrialists and entrepreneurs is vital to generate adequate revenue. "Not intimidation and raid but dialogue with industrialists is imperative to collect revenue," he told staff.

The minister said he had heard of bribery being practised at government offices and said such trends must end. He vowed the government would adopt a reward and punishment scheme and urged employees to abide by an integrity policy from the very basic level. "The market monitoring should not be misused," he added.

Wagle argued that menacing industrialists to collect revenue would not be sustainable and that an atmosphere conducive to cooperation is needed. He said the present government had a broader aim and wanted cooperation from both employees and industrialists.

On the occasion, the minister warned that those involved in corruption would not be spared. "It is not the time like that of past. New way of performance and service delivery is essential," he underlined.

By RSS