Biratnagar, March 1:

Revenue collection increased at Biratnagar custom office though the government has decreased custom charges on 130 goods imported from foreign countries.

It was expected that custom charge would be reduced after the implementation of economic ordinance from 14th January. However, chief of Biratnagar custom office, Hari Sharan Pudasaini said the collection has been 25 per cent more than the target till Monday. The government decreased 20 per cent custom charge on the import of garments and motor parts. 90 per cent raw materials used by industries in Biratnagar come from this entrance.

Monthly revenue collection was some seven to eight million rupees daily before the implementation of the ordinance. However, the figure has climbed up to Rs 15 million from the second week of February.

Pudasaini clarified that the ordinance has no effect on revenue collection. He however added that bandhs and elections partially affected the collection last month. But collection has been cent per cent this month. Revenue collection was worth Rs 140 million before the implementation of the ordinance.

The collection target for this fiscal year was Rs 49,990 million. However, Rs 28,289 million has already been collected before the second week of January. The collection, during this period last year, was Rs 24,560 million.

The office claimed illegal import of goods from India has also been stopped after the implementation of the ordinance. Goods like motor parts, garments, and European parts used to be illegally brought in before the implementation of the ordinance. The office said revenue collection increased after some 500 industries in Morang and Sunsari started to consume raw materials imported through the Biratnagar custom. There was no decrease in the import of raw materials for mustard oil, zinc and petroleum products, the office said. Biratnagar-based industries are importing raw materials from third countries like China, Austria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Belgium and Thailand.

Biratnagar custom office has become the winner for the fourth time in the current fiscal year, he said.