KATHMANDU, Feb 11: Contrary to previous statements, Finance Minister Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai Wednesday said that the government could extend voluntary disclosure of income scheme (VDIS) deadline if the business community seriously requested for it. [break]
"VDIS was announced in the budget about six months ago. So, I do not think time for disclosing income was inadequate. Nonetheless, if the businessmen request for it, we can extend the deadline," said Dr Bhattarai on the last day of the scheme. "The decision to this connection will be taken once I meet with concerned officers in my office."
Talking to the press on arrival from Japan at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Finance Minister also said that the government has already gathered information of the people who have amassed property without paying due taxes to the state. "We will land sharp axe against them if they did not respond to this genuine opportunity of legalizing the income by paying just 10 percent tax," said he.
Despite business community´s resistance, Inland Revenue Department mobilized Rs 150 million in additional revenue under VDIS by 1 p.m. on Wednesday alone. "Our collections have crossed over Rs 500 million so far," said Kapil Dev Ghimire, director general of IRD.
As for his five-day visit to Japan, Dr Bhattarai said that he has invited the Japanese private sector to invest in Nepal.
"Nepal and Japan are largely engaged at the government level so far. During this visit, I invited the Japanese private sector to invest in Nepal," said Dr Bhattarai. He elaborated that the Japanese entrepreneurs were mainly interested in investing in hydropower and tourism sector in Nepal.
They also demanded the finance minister to restart Nepal Airlines Corporation´s (NAC´s) flight to Tokyo.
Related story
Nepal Telecom to extend the deadline for billing during lockdow...
-1200x560-1783083574.webp)
