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Kathmandu Friday February 02, 2001 Magh 20, 2057.
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Businessmen in Morang issue VAT bills
Post Report
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.
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