Tax Bill review urged

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 19: The President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Rabi Bhakta Shrestha inaugurated the 26th annual general meeting of Sunsari Chambers of Commerce and Industry and its Millennium conference hall in Dharan recently.

Shrestha in his inaugural address said that majority of the industries were in a situation to be shot down due to instability and unfavorable policy despite the importance of industry for the economic growth.

Shrestha said most of the cottage and small industries were closed adding the FNCCI had held a national conference to discuss the ways to revive them and forwarded the suggestions to the government. He said the FNCCI had also held discussions with the government officials to resolve the policy related and practical problems regarding industry and trade policy. He also said the Land Reform Bill and Income Tax Bill would obstruct the development of industry and trade and demanded for review on them.

Shrestha said the FNCCI stressed on the resolution of Maoist problem through talks and constituted a working committee to facilitate talks. He appealed to the Maoists to stop all the activities against industries like manhandling industrialists, collecting donation forcefully, giving them threats and instigating the employees against the management. He also demanded with the government to guarantee security to the industries as well as the general public.

Shrestha said the districts chambers were the foundation of the FNCCI adding they should inform the Federation about the challenges and opportunity of the industrial and commercial development of the districts.

Trade Fair Committee Chairman Dr. Gopal Prasad Shrestha said peace was a precondition not only for industrial and commercial development but also for other activities. He said the Federation encouraged trade fairs at regional, national and international level and asked with the districts to work in this direction.

Dharan Municipality Mayor Manoj Kumar Meyangbo said his office had issued a circulation to all asking not to give donations to anyone without the prior permission of the Municipality adding donation should not be collected under pressure.

In the function chaired by Sunsari Chambers President Bijaya Daga, General Secretary presented the annual report while member Man Bahadur Surana tabled the income and expenditure details.