March 22: Government restrictions on import and fall of demand in domestic market have dealt a blow to revenue collection from Birgunj Customs Office.

The revenue collection from the country’s major customs Birgunj Customs Office has collected only 60 percent of its target in the eight months of the current fiscal year. 

Deemed a major customs point, Birgunj Customs Office provides a significant contribution to revenue collection in the country. Industrial raw materials, petroleum products and vehicles are imported via the Birgunj Customs point while processed oil, readymade garments, juice and thread are exported through it. 

Birgunj Customs Office has collected Rs 101.49 billion in revenue against its target of Rs 168.23 billion in the eight months of the current fiscal. 

Import restrictions placed by the government from beginning of the current fiscal year caused the total trade to dive, affecting the revenue collection from the customs office, said Information Officer Ram Chandra Dhakal of the customs office. 

Political instability and polls have encouraged the illegal import of goods, having toll on the revenue collection. “Revenue leakage due to ‘setting’ is also responsible for the fall of revenue collection,” said officials of customs office.

Birgunj Customs Office has set the target to collect Rs 260.97 billion revenue in the current fiscal year. The customs office, however, has failed to meet  revenue collcetion target in either months of the current fiscal year so far.