KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 12

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has instructed the authorities concerned to instal vehicle scanner at the main customs points.

Finance Minister Sharma issued this directive while addressing a two-day seminar on customs management organised by the Department of Customs here today. He wanted the process of installing vehicle scanner to start promptly.

The goods loaded by vehicles coming in and going out at the customs point need not be manually checked with the installation of vehicle scanner system. The minister also urged customs employees to increase revenue collection by maintaining honesty in the classification and evaluation of goods.

Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini urged the customs administration to work as per the principle of improvement, facilitation and good governance. He directed customs staff to immediately stop the practice of entertaining phone calls from any party, leader or trade union or organisation that exert pressure seeking transfer. "The employee adopting such measures for getting a transfer has already compromised on his/her integrity.

You can understand yourself the job performance of such a person," he said.

Revenue secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar directed employees to carry out works in such a way that the service seeker has no room for complaint.

He stressed that works should be done so that the grievances of service-recipients are promptly addressed.

Senior Vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Dhakal thanked the government for bringing the policy through the replacement bill for protecting and promoting domestic industries. He expressed happiness saying that suggestions from the private sector would be included while making changes to the tax rate.

The FNCCI senior vice-president underscored the need to impose tax two levels lower compared to that imposed on the import of finished products, in the import of raw materials for encouraging domestic industries.

Director General of the Department of Customs Narayan Prasad Sapkota expressed commitment to collect revenue as per the set target. He instructed the chiefs and employees of subordinate bodies and agencies to carry out works keeping integrity in mind and the national interest in the heart.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 13 2021, of The Himalayan Times.