In this regard, the Tax Service Office (TSO) in Baglung, under the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), has written to all brick factories in the district to comply with the rule on operation of kilns.[break]
The TSO issued written instruction after factories ignored verbal requests made by the office in the past.
“We have directed local brick kilns to register their businesses at local bodies, the Cottage and Small Industries Office and the TSO. We will be compelled to take action if they fail to obey our instruction,” said Baglung TSO Chief Ram Prasad Subedi.
Brick kilns are currently being opened and operated in Baglung without taking due permission from the government. Most of the brick kilns have set up their production bases at Ram Rekha, Uppallochaur, Ratmatta, Gaidakot, Kusmishera, Galkot, Burtibang and Gwalichaur of Baglung Municipality.
“Though the number of kilns operating in the district is increasing, not even a single kiln has registered its business with the government,” said Subedi.
Worse, they have also become the major source of pollution as more than 28 kilns are running within Baglung Municipality.
The kilns have not even conducted Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)--a study that has to be conducted prior to commencing any environmentally unfriendly activity.
“We have initiated the process of taking action against kilns that have not followed due process to operate their businesses,” said Yadu Paudel, executive officer at Baglung municipal office.
According to him, a committee led by Jairam Bhari, general secretary of the Baglung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), has been formed to lay suggestions on conditions that brick kilns operating in the district need to abide by.
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