Mahat asks customs employees to work with honesty

KATHMANDU: Minister for Finance Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that revenue will increase if employees work with honesty.

After inspecting Birgunj Customs Office and Dry Port Customs Office on Thursday, Dr Mahat called on customs employees to take customs evasion seriously. “If each one of us is honest, we can easily meet the revenue targets,” he added.

He also said it is natural for customs revenue to drop when there is no demand and, subsequently, no imports. “But if there are sufficient goods in the market, and revenue is decreasing, people will question you,” Mahat said.

Mahat also said importers might choose to bypass formal channels if customs clearance process is cumbersome and full of hassles. “If such is the case, the customs administration should look into the matter and take necessary decisions,” he added.

Minister Mahat also said people will naturally look at these two customs offices when customs revenue goes down because they alone contribute 40% of customs duty.