Finance Committee inspects Jaleshwar Customs Office
The inspection, conducted on Tuesday, focused on addressing rising concerns of smuggling and customs leakage.
KATHMANDU: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has inspected the Jaleshwar Customs Office in Mahottari as part of its initiative to monitor major customs checkpoints across Nepal.
The inspection, conducted on Tuesday, focused on addressing rising concerns of smuggling and customs leakage.
The committee has formed a subcommittee to oversee customs activities and enhance oversight at key customs offices nationwide.
Subcommittee Coordinator Narayani Sharma revealed that the initiative was prompted by numerous complaints regarding increased smuggling.
“We aim to directly identify issues and incorporate necessary provisions in the Customs Act,” Sharma stated, adding that inspections have already been conducted at customs offices in Nepalgunj, Krishnanagar, Bhairahawa, and Biratnagar before arriving at Jaleshwar. The team plans to inspect Birgunj Customs next before returning to Kathmandu.
During the inspection, the subcommittee highlighted several challenges, including disputes between local governments and customs officials, rising customs evasion, and declining revenue growth. Sharma emphasized the need for clear legal frameworks, stating, “Customs staff are caught between local government directives and the Customs Act, leading to confusion and inefficiency.”
The committee also identified increased smuggling through minor customs checkpoints and a lack of adequate customs laboratory facilities. “We found significant issues in operations, which require immediate attention to ensure effective customs management,” Sharma concluded.
This ongoing monitoring is expected to contribute to policy improvements and enhance transparency in Nepal’s customs operations.
