Call For Expanding Scope Of Tax

Gandaki, May 6: The business community here have urged Pokhara Metropolitan City to expand the base of tax rather not its rate.

Representatives of the private sector made the recommendation at an interaction organized by Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Pokhara Metropolitan City on the revenue policy for the upcoming fiscal year.

Claiming that number of people doing business informally in Pokhara is more than those running business in a formal way, the entrepreneurs said that the business entities registering with the official body have suffered due to the situation.

Entrepreneurs have stressed that the tax and revenue policy implemented by the metropolis should be citizen and business-friendly.

Chairperson of Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gokarna Karki said that the businesses operating without registration have caused problems to those doing business by paying taxes.

"There is a possibility of unauthorized sale of goods coming from smuggled goods rather than those imported by paying revenue to the customs", he noted.

He pointed out the need to make arrangements so that tax of the same nature should not be paid elsewhere after paying tax in one place.

He advocated for a business-friendly policy.

Stating that house tax has been a longstanding problem in Pokhara, he demanded that arrangements should be made to pay such tax from the house owner itself as it is the responsibility of the house.

President of Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce and Industry Binod Shrestha also highlighted the need to formulate revenue policy taking into confidence the private sector.

Also speaking on the occasion, Confederation of Nepali Industries Gandaki President Binod Sharma, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce President Umaraj Bastola, Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce and Industry General Secretary Januka Parajuli, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Senior Vice-President Uttam Man Buddhacharya among others stressed the need for business-friendly policies of the state.

Deputy Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City and Coordinator of Revenue Advisory Committee Manju Devi Gurung said the genuine concerns shown by the private sector would be reckoned while formulating policy.