May 21: Birgunj Metropolis has collected nearly Rs 400 million in revenue in the last 10 months of the current fiscal year, amounting to Rs 398 million. The revenue collection increased by Rs 31.8 million compared to the same period in the last fiscal year.

However, the Revenue Division Chief of Birgunj Metropolitan City Office, Manoj Karna, stated that they had aimed to collect Rs 700 million in revenue; the collection stood at only Rs 400 million so far.

The existing budget was revised last January. "The economic downturn caused a decline in trade activities, which has clearly impacted revenue collection," Karna added.

Similarly, Chief Administrative Officer of the Metropolis, Matrika Bhattarai, informed that although they had aimed to collect Rs 500 million in land tax in the current fiscal year, it was now difficult to meet the target.

"It is because of the downturn in the realty business. We have been able to collect Rs 139 million so far," he said, adding that it was difficult to manage resources due to the failure to meet the target of internal revenue.

The metropolis has been collecting inland revenue under 24 headings. Under house rent, Rs 49 million was collected as revenue this year. (RSS)