Ministers, officials discuss ways to control revenue leakage

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 3: A meeting of the High-Level Central Revenue Leakage Control Committee held on Thursday made decisions aimed at controlling revenue leakage and strengthening tax administration.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Finance under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle, emphasised ensuring institutional accountability and preparing an action plan that will deliver tangible results immediately.

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, key directives include reducing the number of non-filer taxpayers, ensuring prompt recovery of outstanding dues and refunds, and resolving tax-related disputes as soon as possible.

The meeting also decided enhancing the capacity of agencies and personnel involved in revenue leakage control and continuing systemic reforms to improve overall efficiency.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, Member of Parliament Sushil Khadka, Secretary of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Revenue Secretary, department heads, and heads of all three security agencies attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Finance Minister Dr. Wagle said that the only reason the administration—capable of managing large-scale projects and events—is unable to succeed in routine tasks is the tendency not to work on the Mission Model.

He further emphasised that routine tasks should now be carried out under the Task Model, and the government has laid out a clear roadmap focused on systemic reforms, adopting policies to increase revenue by broadening the tax base while reducing rates. 

Dr. Wagle said that an environment will be created to bring individuals, groups or classes involved in smuggling towards self-employment and entrepreneurship through state policies, while creating an environment for tax compliance.

Home Minister Gurung has instructed the government agencies to end the practice of shifting blame between departments and to address issues related to revenue leakage. 

He also directed that a dedicated action plan be prepared with a time frame and responsibilities be set for resolving the problems of revenue leakage, that all agencies be equipped with resources, and that additional infrastructure and equipment be arranged at the checkpoints.

Uttar Kumar Khatri, Chief of Revenue Management Division at the Ministry of Finance, made a presentation on the current status of revenue, areas of risk of revenue leakage, the role of the relevant bodies in controlling revenue leakage, challenges in controlling revenue leakage, and future course of action. 

During discussions, departmental heads shared efforts made and challenges faced by their respective agencies in controlling revenue leakage.