Kathmandu, Jan 26: The 71st International Customs Day was observed by organising various programmes here today.
Addressing a programme hosted by the Department of Customs here today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Poudel, pledged to promote the IT employment in overall infrastructure of customs administration.
He said customs employees better know about sector-wise challenges and possible ways for solutions. He urged them to perform honestly.
Calling on the customs staffs to deliver without leaving a room for public grievances, the Finance Minister drew the attention of the customs administration towards the prompt requirements to promote legal trade and control revenue leakage.
The Minister took time to say that the government adopted a policy of zero-tolerance against corruption and reflected it in its actions. He directed employees concerned to mandatorily contribute to checking revenue leakage.
He echoed the need to advancing the customs administration by making it paperless, based on cashless transactions and systematic so that service seekers need not be physically present at the customs offices to take services.
Trade facilitation, revenue collection and protection of social interests are the major responsibilities of the customs administrations, he said, urging the people concerned to focus on revenue leakage from illegal trade and smuggling of goods.
Only modernisation, development and technology assisted work system in the administration could reduce trade cost, facilitate trade and control revenue leakage, he viewed.
Secretary at the Finance Ministry Toyam Raya stressed the need for the implementation of strategies and action plans relating to customs reforms and modernisation set by the government in various phases.
He urged the concerned authorities to take responsibilities to collect resources required to build the nation by facilitating trade and collecting revenues while abiding by the international trade values.
Similarly, revenue secretary Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire underscored the need for ending shortcomings in the customs administration, increasing surveillances in the vulnerable areas in view of revenue leakage and take action against illegal activities.
Director General of the Department of Customs Chakra Bahadur Budha said policies, procedures and laws made by the government for the institutional reforms in the customs office were being implemented.
The Department would make its overall performance effective, monitor illegal trade and effectively coordinate with the security agencies for the mobilisation of joint patrol teams to control revenue leakages through smuggling, he pledged. (RSS)
