Revenue collection from Tatopani point less than target

The Tatopani Customs Office, situated at the northern border with China, has reported a significant shortfall in revenue collection during the last financial year. Once a crucial revenue generator for the country’s economy, the customs office has been grappling with reduced revenue since the devastating earthquake in 2072.

According to official figures released by the customs office, the revenue collection target for the last financial year was set at four arba sixty-two crore rupees. However, the actual revenue collected amounted to only three arba, twenty-seven crore, ninety-four lakh, twenty thousand seven hundred twenty-seven rupees, accounting for a mere 70.84 percent of the target.

The 2072 earthquake inflicted severe damages to the Tatopani checkpoint, leading to subsequent challenges in its operational efficiency. Natural calamities like floods, landslides, and the COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted the checkpoint’s regular activities. Additionally, the state of the roads and other infrastructural issues posed hurdles for smooth operations.

Dayanand KC, the head of Tatopani Customs Office, pointed out that despite limited activities, there was a slight resurgence in exports on the 18th of Baisakh when seven container vehicles carrying Nepali materials, including bamboo bundles, crossed into Chinese territory. However, following that, both imports and exports dwindled, contributing to the decline in revenue collection.

The imports that did occur during the period included electric vans, project goods, apples, pears, walnuts, and other materials, as confirmed by Customs officer Laxman Bastola.