KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel has emphasized the need for more effective mobilization of domestic resources to achieve Nepal’s goals of development and prosperity. Speaking at a program following an inspection of the Inland Revenue Department, Minister Poudel outlined several measures to modernize the tax system and improve tax administration.
He highlighted the importance of modernizing the tax system to reduce the cost of tax participation for taxpayers and prioritizing the development of tech-savvy human resources. Poudel further emphasized expanding the tax base, creating a taxpayer-friendly environment, enhancing the quality of taxpayer services, and promoting voluntary tax participation. He also directed government employees to focus on preventing tax evasion and leakage.
The Finance Minister stressed simplifying procedures, implementing risk-based tax audits, and promoting e-governance as key priorities. He also noted the need for institutional reforms to create results-oriented, professional organizations.
Additionally, Poudel expressed concern over the increasing backlog of tax dues and unresolved issues at major tax offices. He instructed officials to launch a special campaign to recover outstanding dues and settle disputes. During the event, Finance Secretary Ram Prasad Ghimire urged employees to be fully aware of their responsibilities, while Revenue Secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire directed staff to focus on meeting revenue collection targets.
Ram Prasad Acharya, the Director General of the Inland Revenue Department, reaffirmed his commitment to meeting the revenue collection target of NPR 701 billion set for the current fiscal year.