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8 customs offices short of target
KATHMANDU, AUG 08 -
Eight customs offices failed to meet their respective revenue collection targets although the overall receipts by all the revenue offices surpassed the target for the fiscal year 2009/10.
Among the customs offices failing to meet their targets are those based in Tatopani, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Dry Port, Rajbiraj, Siraha, Janakpur, Sarlahi and Mechi. However, the Department of Customs exceeded its target by collecting Rs. 79.9 billion last year against the projected Rs. 71.2 billion.
Director general of the Department of Customs Navaraj Bhandari said that the eight customs offices could not meet their respective targets as a result of heavy losses in trade volume.
Tatopani Customs collected Rs. 2.16 billion (target Rs. 2.28 billion), TIA collected Rs. 3.67 billion (target Rs. 3.79 billion), Dry Port took in Rs. 6.03 billion (target Rs. 6.21 billion) and Rajbiraj collected Rs. 26.5 million (target Rs. 50.6 million).
Siraha Customs also witnessed a shortfall with a collection of Rs. 42.9 million (target Rs. 58.6 million), Janakpur received Rs. 55.9 million (target Rs. 109.2 million), Sarlahi took in Rs. 71.3 million (target Rs. 93.3 million) and Mechi collected Rs. 1.48 billion (target Rs. 1.76 billion).
Tatopani Customs is one of the main routes for trade with China, but with an increasing number of traders using other routes for importing goods from China, its lustre has declined.
Bhandari said the customs point collected less revenue as trade volume dropped because traders could not get enough foreign exchange to import goods after Nepal Rastra Bank reduced the foreign exchange facility to US$ 25,000 at a time from US$ 50,000.
The NRB decision came after revelations that foreign exchange to the tune of Rs. 8 billion had been diverted to Hong Kong in the name of importing wool and other goods from China.
“The harsh treatment against Nepali importers by Chinese customs officials is another reason behind the decreased trade through Tatopani,” Bhandari said.
Likewise, Mechi Customs failed to meet its revenue target as coal and betel nuts were not imported through the customs point. Security threats are another reason behind the decreased trade with several groups in the area engaged in donation drives and imposing bandas time and again.
Revenue collection at Sarlahi Customs and Janakpur Customs suffered following the government’s decision to ban the export of sand and crushed stones to India. The department earned Rs. 860 million in revenue from the export of sand and crushed stones last year.
The shutting down of Janakpur Cigarette Factory has also contributed to the drop in revenue collection in Janakpur, said Bhandari.
Posted on: 2010-08-09 07:58
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