KATHMANDU, April 10 : Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has directed the customs officials to work dutifully and produce results.

Addressing the Customs Management Seminar organized by the Department of Customs here today, he directed the customs officials to give utmost priority to their responsibility.

"I don't mean to say the traders involved in the import and export business are given unnecessary hassles. You well know what the right things are, but these are not being implemented. I want to draw your attention towards that," the finance minister said. 

Stating that the Ministry of Finance is effortful in carrying out works in a transparent manner, he instructed the officials to carry out their works seriously. "Let us start the culture of working in a responsible and accountable manner," he said.

According to the finance minister, revenue collection has fallen due to several reasons and the Customs Department is not fully at fault in this. Serious discussions have been held with the security bodies as well for stopping revenue leakage, he said and urged the customs officials to monitor it.

"Revenue collection has dropped at many customs checkpoints. There is news of revenue leakage from these checkposts. The same is the case at Bhairahawa, Birgunj and Rasuwa checkpoints. Please take this matter seriously," the finance minister told the customs officials.

Noting it was unfortunate that the income has decreased to the extent of not even covering the recurrent expenditure, he said the political leadership has paid high attention to the present situation. 

"The political leadership is serious about this matter. No stone will be left unturned from our side to address the problems," he said. 

Finance Minister Dr Mahat urged the customs officials to pay attention to the matter of the industrialists and businessmen facing unnecessary hassles and difficulties.

 
• FinMin_Mahat