The department is issuing a letter to this regard to the casinos on Friday, informed a DRI source. “The decision was taken as per the instruction of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament,” he said. [break]
PAC on December 28, 2010 had issued a strong-worded decision, in which it asked the government to scrap the operating licenses of casinos that were found flouting the existing laws of the country.
The lawmakers had issued the instruction as casinos were not paying royalty and other tax liability on time. They were also found allowing entry to Nepali citizens, which go against the law as well.
“Going by this decision, we will give the casinos about a month to clear their outstanding royalty and other taxes. If they do not comply, we will annul their operating licenses and seal the casinos,” said the source.
He told Republica that letters will mainly knock the doors of Casino Nepal, Anna Casino and Casino Shangri-La on Friday.
Even though the existing tax law requires a casino operator to pay annual royalty of Rs 20 million within the first quarter of the fiscal year, they have neither paid this year´s royalty, nor previous years´ outstanding royalty.
Casinos that settled a part of due royalty liability within the stipulated time will also get the warnings from the DRI to clear their dues within the month.
Officials said the casino operators so far have been taking advantage of the lack of stringent provision on timely settlement of royalty.
“Now we will not tolerate this tendency. Even the casinos that paid the royalty partially will face the axe,” said the source.
DRI seals Ipisa outlet
Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) on Thursday raided and sealed the retail outlet and repair centers of Ipisa Trading Pvt Ltd on suspicion that it might have evaded customs duty while importing products.
The trading company based in New Road deals in refrigerator and air conditioners, among other electronic items.
“We seized laptops and computers in which it maintained its accounts and other business information and sealed the retail outlet in New Road and also the repair centers in Sitapaila, Bafal, Kuleshwor and Tahachal,” said Mahesh Dahal, director general of DRI.
He told Republica that the department had launched sweeping action against the company on the basis of information provided by an informer. “We have been told the trading company smuggles products,” said Dahal, elaborating that the department will instantly begin its investigation into the case.
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