Businessmen in Morang issue VAT bills

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KATHMANDU, Feb 1- Businessmen of Biratnagar, the second largest commercial city of the kingdom, have started issuing VAT registered bills to consumers following a campaign by district VAT office.

The district VAT office launched special campaign starting Friday, under which firms selling goods without issuing VAT registered bill are fined Rs 2000.

The VAT office began taking actions against the local businessmen after numerous complaints by the consumers were registered against businessmen’s reluctance in issuing VAT bills.

Madhu Kumar Marashini, Chief of the VAT office informed that, till Tuesday, twelve business firms have been fined and many more are under investigation.

The office has started flying-checks and levying fine on the spot to those firms acting against the spirit of VAT act. Such action is expected to bear fruitful in collecting more revenue particularly at the time when business community is not co-operating by issuing proper bills and declaring true picture of their stocks.

The officials of the VAT office inspect the market whole day and the consumers are ask whether the VAT registered bill was issued along with the goods or not, immediately after coming out of the shop. If consumers are found with improper sale bill, then the firm is immediately fined Rs 2000.

Even after the full implementation of VAT, the local businessmen still do not issue bills and the consumers too are not much interested in taking bills since VAT amount is added if they demand for it.

The widespread practice of not issuing VAT registered bill while selling goods is still an impedement in the effective implementation of VAT, paralyzing the government commitment to develop VAT as the backbone of the revenue collection.

The VAT office about six months ago has also initiated a campaign by playing recorded slogans in the public placed through loudspeaker with an aim to boost public awareness of VAT among the public. However, even after such campaign failed to achieve the desire goal, the VAT office was forced to start a tougher action.

The local businessmen argue that the consumers themselves refuse to take bills. "When most of the consumers do not wish take bills to exempt ten percent extra burden, how can we force them," asked a local businessman.

Manishari informed that more than fourteen hundred industries and business firms have been registered with VAT office, however, majorities of the firms are not fully complying with the existing rules and regulations.

Even though majority of the firms, last year, declared their stocks, there is still big mismatch in their purchases and sales records," he said.

During the fiscal year, two hundred and seventy-six firms declared stocks worth over Rs 366 million, however after detailed investigation 139 forms were found involved in practices against the VAT norms. "During the fiscal year strict actions were taken against 70 business firms, which were detected evading VAT and over Rs 3.3 million was collected as fine," Manashari said.

The office, during the first six months of the current fiscal year, has accumulated Rs 276.4 million, whereas it had collected only Rs 260 million during the corresponding period last year.

PATA-Norway Chapter to promote Nepal

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KATHMANDU, Feb 1- A 12-member delegation of the PATA-Norway Chapter returned home today after completing an eight day familiarization tour (Fam- trip) to Nepal.

The visit upon the invitation of the PATA Nepal Chapter in co-ordination with the PATA Norway Chapter was led by Board Member of the PATA-Norwegian Chapter, Bjorn Vidar Nilsen. Representatives of various international tour operators, airlines and travel agencies based in Norway who already are marketing Nepal and those keen to promote Nepal in the near future were also included in the team

According to a press release issued by the PATA Nepal Chapter they travelled to historic city of Lalitpur, the ancient city of Bhaktapur besides Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and various other renowned tourist destinations.

On Wednesday the PATA Nepal-Chapter held a joint interaction session between the Norwegian Fam Group and the travel trade industry of Nepal.

Taking part in the session, Norwegian delegates emphasized the need of greater marketing of Nepal and vowed their commitment to promote Nepal.

Referring to the lack of information about Nepal in Norway, Bjourn Vidar Nilsen, the team leader and marketing mangervof SAS airlines, stressed the need for vigorous marketing on electronic and print media with attractive packages in Norway.

Nepal has so many things to offer ranging from culture to scenic beauty, he said. Gro Dieserud Smit, country manger of Austrian Airlines talking to The Kathmandu Post urged to preserve the cultural values of Nepali society.

"Nepali’s diverse culture could be the main asset in luring more tourist," she said. Accessibility to Nepal has increased with the regular Lauda Air flights operating between Vienna and Kathmandu. Still, tour operators are worried that there is lack of available seats on these flights.

Around two thousand Norwegian tourists visited Nepal last year.