Government decides to set up customs office at PIA

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to set up a customs office at Pokhara International Airport (PIA).

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday decided to give prior approval for conducting the ‘organization and management (O&M) survey for managing the required human resources for the optimum use of the airport.

Stating that the responsibility of managing the project in an effective manner and of creating a condition by which the nation would be maximally benefitted from it has fallen on the shoulder of the government, DPM and Finance Minister said a decision has been made to establish a customs office, an important task that has to be carried out for the maximum utilization of the airport.

The PIA is a project of national priority. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had inaugurated the airport on Jan 1. This airport is constructed with loan cooperation provided by China.

DPM Poudel, who is also the government spokesperson, said during a news conference held today at the Ministry of Finance to make public the decisions of the Council of Ministers that PIA has been constructed in time despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting also decided to determine Feb 8 as the date for the election to the vacant post of the National Assembly.

With the resignation of NA member Khimlal Bhattarai from the post, one seat of the NA member from Lumbini State has remained vacant. Bhattarai was elected NA member from Lumbini State.

Spokesperson Poudel shared that the government has informed the Election Commission by determining the date of the NA by-election.