Kathmandu: Soon after the formation of the new government, a high-level committee on revenue leakage control became active, holding a meeting focused on curbing tax evasion and illegal imports.
The meeting, held on Thursday morning at the Ministry of Finance, centred on strengthening enforcement measures and ensuring effective implementation of existing laws.
Chaired by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, the meeting was attended by Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, revenue officials, and representatives from Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Nepal.
The discussion aimed to strengthen coordination among government bodies to minimize illegal imports through border points and reduce domestic tax evasion. Over the course of the one-hour meeting, participants focused on practical steps to tighten enforcement and improve the effectiveness of current legal provisions.
Expressing dissatisfaction with current revenue collection trends, Finance Minister Wagle issued a strong directive: future reports should not just show targets being met, but exceeded. He emphasized identifying the country’s true revenue potential and mobilizing all state mechanisms to achieve higher collection. “For economic prosperity, ensuring adequate revenue is essential. I no longer want reports that simply meet targets, I want results that surpass them,” he stated.
Home Minister Gurung stressed the need to eliminate revenue leakage at its roots, highlighting the importance of mobilizing security agencies. He said he is personally ready to engage in field operations if necessary and called on the Finance Ministry to immediately provide the required infrastructure and logistics to law enforcement agencies.
Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay criticized the working style of subordinate agencies, accusing them of delays and excuses. He made it clear that such practices would no longer be tolerated and that only result-oriented performance would be accepted.
Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Raju Aryal stated that the force bears no responsibility for existing leakages but assured full accountability and commitment moving forward. He added that with better coordination and support from the government, the force could play a more effective role.
Similarly, Additional Inspector General Uma Prasad Chaturvedi reaffirmed that the police are ready to fully cooperate and coordinate across agencies to control revenue leakages.
According to Finance Ministry spokesperson Tank Prasad Pandey, this was the first meeting of the committee since the new government took office. He said the government plans to treat revenue leakage control as a national campaign, with departments presenting their current efforts and identifying weaknesses.
He added that both the finance and home ministers have instructed agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, enhance surveillance at border points, and strengthen market monitoring. A dedicated task force will be formed with a clear action plan to deliver immediate results.
The meeting concluded with a commitment that all sectors will take responsibility for meeting revenue targets, with progress to be reviewed again in the near future.
Comment Here