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Three casinos defy DRI summon

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KATHMANDU, Nov 17: Three leading casinos - Casino Nepal, Shangrila and Anna - cold-shouldered the Department of Revenue Investigation´s (DRI´s) call to furnish details and settle their outstanding tax liability, despite its warnings to take action against tax defaulters.



Casino Nepal informed us that its concerned official is out of town and will contact us as soon as he returns, said Mahesh Dahal, director general of DRI. “Officials of Shangrila and Anna Casino did not respond at all,” he added.[break]



The department had issued letters to all casinos operating in the country to submit details of their outstanding tax liability, including royalty, tax deducted at source (TDS) and fines, as of mid-July 2010 and clear it instantly.



It had asked the managers to show up at the office by Monday evening and submit their statement and settle the liability. However, only seven of the 10 casino managers showed up at the office.



Dahal said DRI will take action against the three indifferent casinos on Thursday, as Wednesday is public holiday.



Of the seven others, Casino Venus (Malla Hotel), Rad (Radisson) and Pokhara Grande settled all their outstanding dues as of last fiscal year. While Venus paid Rs 4.3 million, Rad and Pokhara Grande paid Rs 8.6 million and Rs 4.76 million respectively.



Two other casinos -- Royal (Yak and Yeti) and Fulbari -- paid Rs 5.5 million and Rs 5 million respectively. However, they still have a substantial chunk of tax dues to settle, Dahal informed.



Tara (Hyatt Hotel) and Everest, the other two casinos, too expressed commitment to settle their dues immediately.



“We have released the officials of those casinos on date,” said Dahal, adding that they will need to show up at the department whenever summoned unless they settle the liability.


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