Birgunj Customs Office, a significant contributor to the national revenue, is witnessing a gradual decrease in revenue collection. This decline is causing concerns as the office typically contributes more than 43 percent of the national revenue.
In the first month of the current fiscal year, the office collected 24 percent less revenue than the set target. However, the situation worsened in Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) when revenue collection fell short by 35 percent compared to the target.
Information officer of the office, Ram Chandra Dhakal, disclosed that the customs department had set a target of Rs 15.62 billion for the month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), but the actual revenue collected was Rs 3.75 billion less than the goal.
For the month of Bhadra, the department aimed for a revenue collection target of Rs 19.38 billion, but only Rs 12.71 billion was collected, Dhakal reported.
Dhakal highlighted that the revenue from the import of 20 key items, including petroleum products and vehicles, which typically generate substantial income for the customs office, has been on the decline. In the current year, revenue from these critical 20 items has decreased by 53 percent compared to the same period last year in Shrawan and by 62 percent in Bhadra compared to the previous year’s figures.
He further explained that over 40 percent of the revenue collected by Birgunj Customs Office comes from the import of fuel and vehicles. The decline in the import of both these items has hindered revenue collection efforts. Specifically, revenue from fuel imported via the Birgunj border has decreased by 11 percent compared to the previous year, while revenue from vehicle imports has dropped by 10 percent.
