By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, May 18: Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudal has directed civil servants to expedite customs clearance of health items, equipment and medicines related to the prevention, treatment and control of COVID-19.
In a programme organised through virtual medium on Monday, Finance Minister Paudel gave such instructions to the Director General, Deputy Director General of the Department of Customs and chiefs of various customs offices.
Paudel has directed to make the supply of liquid oxygen, oxygen cylinders, oxygen plants and their parts imported by the federal, provincial and local governments, non-governmental organisations and private sector easier by passing customs inspection without any hassles.
He said that there was a need to remain safe from COVID-19 on the one hand and to perform the duty effectively on the other and urged the employees to work by adopting health safety measures.
Finance Minister Paudel also directed to provide daily updates including quantity and prices of the items imported for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Finance Secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana directed employees to issue and implement a brief procedure on customs clearance of materials related to prevention, treatment and control of COVID-19.
Revenue Secretary Ram Sharan Pudasaini directed them to work effectively round the clock in coordination with the customs offices of the neighboring countries for speedy inspection and clearance.
Yamlal Bhusal, Director General of the Department of Customs, informed that the department had formed a rapid response team to facilitate the supply of essential items.