DRI steps up vigil on illegal cargo

KATHMANDU, MAR 18: 

The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) has started to put the domestic transportation system under its scanner to control revenue leakages, according to it. 

DRI, within three months, has confiscated more than 100 vehicles ferrying goods, said deputy director general at the department Rajendra Sharma Laudari. It has accelerated vigilance on internal transport after the government approved regulations regarding it, he said, adding that the department takes control of any vehicle that is carrying goods without legitimate bills and receipts to prove that it is not dodging tax compliance.

“The regulation about domestic transportation clearly seeks reliable bills to control the supply of goods without invoice or goods that are under-invoiced,” he said. “The department can also bring warehouses where the confiscated vehicles were supposed to transport the goods under its scanner.”

DRI will carry out raids at suspected warehouses in the future if it receives tip-offs of misconduct, he said. DRI has revealed that bogus Value Added Tax-registered importers have been selling goods to firms with Permanent Account Number (PAN) to evade tax. 

It is estimated that more than 50 per cent outlets in Kathmandu valley have been evading tax by registering at PAN and such outlets sell goods without issuing bills to evade VAT compliance, according to a source at the Finance Ministry. 

Traders import goods from customs points and store it in various warehouses, the department said. “Such traders supply goods to different outlets, wholesalers and retailers after they are assured of the safety of their activities.”

Meanwhile, DRI on Friday confiscated three vehicles ferrying various goods from Kathmandu. They had failed to produce proof that they were ferrying legal consignments, the department said. Investigations of those vehicles will be complete by tomorrow.

Source: THT