FM directs agencies to install vehicle scanners at customs point

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has instructed the bodies concerned to install vehicle scanners at the main customs points at the earliest.

Finance Minister 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 the vehicle scanner to be started promptly.

The goods loaded by vehicles coming in and going out at the customs point need not be manually checked with the installation of the vehicle scanner system.

The Finance Minister also on the occasion urged the customs employees to increase the revenue collection by maintaining honesty in the classification and evaluation of the goods.

Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini urged the customs administration to work as per the principle of improvement, facilitation, and good governance. He directed the customs staff to immediately stop the practice of making phone calls to any party, leader or trade union, or organisation for 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 the 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 the service recipients are promptly addressed.

Senior Vice-President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Dhakal thanked the government for bringing policy through the replacement bill of protecting and promoting the domestic industries. He expressed happiness saying that the suggestions from the private sector have been included in making changes to the tax rate.

The FNCCI Senior Vice-President underscored the need of imposing tax two-level lower compared to that imposed on the import of finished products, in the import of raw materials for encouraging the domestic industries.

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